>> Maybe you can share some experiences with us about the Z380 card. I'm
>> thinking about buying one. What advantages would it have to buy one now?
>Good idea.
Right now I think it is not a good idea to buy one... unless you feel
yourself are a pioneer. 8-) Me and Daniel Zorita are yet improving bios,
I'm writing some macros to compile new Z380 instructions on Compass, no
software is developped apart from some rudimentary speed tests... etc...
>> Speed would be very important. I would just LOVE to speed up the C
>compiling
>> process on my MSX. But is there an easy way to make existing software run
>> faster with the Z380 card (except for re-compiling, which is not possible
>if
>> there is no source)?
MSX software won't run directly on Z380 because Z380 can't access MSX
ports, but raw Z80 code will work of course.
Basically, this Z380 at 14MHz has a speed similar to R800. Then, what we
gain when comparing with Turbo-R? I can think on the following:
- New Z380 instructions make programming easier (for example all the memory
is accessed linearly, and there is instructions like EX DE,DE'; IX IX,IY;
PUSH #1234...), and programs shorter and faster (there is multiplication
and division instructions, 16 bit logical, 32 bit arithmetic, and four set
of main + alternate registers. Besides each register is 32 bit long. So:
less PUSH+POP for saving state every time a subroutine is executed!)
- Multitasking is possible (Z380 + R800/Z80), so global speed can be
doubled. Now we are designing a "Hardware Server" software: in this working
mode, MSX will just access peripherals (ports, mapped memory, slots, VRAM,
etc...) when Z380 asks for it.
>And is it only in cartridge-form??? How big is the board? What is the format
>of the cartridge?
It is VERY big. About 3/2 of a Moonsound card.
>Is there a (relatively simple) way to build it into my MSX instead of using
>a cartridge-slot for it??? If not, could such a thing be created???
Hum, sorry, I don't know anything about hardware. You should ask Leonardo
Padial ([EMAIL PROTECTED]) for such details. I just know that there is a
working mode (selectable via jumper in the board) in which Z380 replaces
MSX Z80, but you must cut one or two pins of the Z80. Do you dare? Me not.
(^^!)
>And how can we get one here in Holland? IPO? What will be the approx.
>price??? (in euros or dollars please)
Currently the price is 210 euros, not memory (any EDO, 60ns, SIMM from 512K
to 64M is good) nor shipping (I suppose) are included. But before buying
one, please wait a little so we can supply it with the definitive bios!
(^^!) Anyway this bios is stored in a normal EPROM and can be updated.
>COULD YOU WRITE AN ARTICLE ABOUT IT FOR MCCW???
Hum... yes, but be patient, ok? I'm myself learning about Z380 yet!!
What I can send to you is a photo of the card. I have digital camera. Just
wait a little. ;-)
>I think very much people would be interested. I hardly know anything about
>it. In Brazil (or was it Spain?), it is demonstrated on fairs etc. but I
>have never seen one and hardly know anything about it.
Actually nobody saw one working, because there is no soft for it! (^^!)
Summarising: it is a nice thing but it is totally "nude" yet. So,
currently, buying one it is a good idea only if you want to experiment by
yourself!
BTW, hey CTNG! What about my petition for Z380 support on Compass? 8-)
***** XVII MSX USERS MEETING IN BARCELONA: APRIL 30th 2000 *****
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Konami Man - AKA Nestor Soriano (^ ^)v - Itsumo MSX user
New web address: http://konamiman.msx.tni.nl & http2//nestor.msx
[EMAIL PROTECTED] ICQ#: 18281450
"Windows 2000" is just the abreviation for "Windows 62000 failures"
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