NEC-LIST: Fastest PC?

Roy,

The DEC Alpha chip is a fast RISC processor that can be tailored for
different operating systems by means of code stored in a small separate
memory (e.g. ROM). Originally developed for the purpose of running
the VMS operating system, which otherwise runs only on the VAX
architecture, the Alpha was given the flexibility to run other
operating systems very efficiently as well.

Alpha-based computers are widely used to run VMS, NT and Digital Unix.
Some machines allow switching between operating systems, while many
lack the tailoring to do so. Alpha-based PC's typically run only NT.
These PC's have been known to run rings around Intel-based PC's.

The Alpha's machine instructions are different from those of an Intel-
based PC. This means a compiled PC executable is in the fundamental
sense incompatible with the Alpha. Alpha NT users tend to look for
software that has been compiled specifically for the Alpha. However,
DEC offers an ingenious method of running Intel binaries on the Alpha.
This is slower than native Alpha code, but much faster than an emulator.

I don't know whether your compiler exists in a native version for the
Alpha. If it doesn't, or if you would rather not buy a new version of
it anyway, I see no reason why you couldn't use the Intel version to
do your compilation on the Alpha at a somewhat reduced speed. Of
course, the compiler would put out an Intel binary for the produced
NEC program, so NEC would be running under the same speed penalty.
A native compiler for the Alpha would be a better way to go. Anyway,
the basic speed advantage of the 600 MHz Alpha (the PC might cost
$10k) is so great that you are likely to come out ahead even after the
speed penalty. The same might not be true if you go for one of the
slower and less expensive Alpha-based machines that run at a lower clock
speed.

Erik Basilier, K7TV
Received on Mon Dec 01 1997 - 09:30:24 EST