

|1-Product News about the CYBERSTORM PPC


|1-Power-PC Accelerator for Amiga 3000/4000



                               by Phase 5


  Oberursel,  February  25,  1997:  phase 5 digital products is proud to
announce  the  upcoming  CYBERSTORM  PPC  PowerPC-based accelerators for
Amiga  3000(T)  and 4000(T) as well as systems with compatible CPU-slot.
With  these  innovative and powerful new accelerators a new dimension of
performance  is  brought  to the Amiga, with performance increases of 10
times  and more compared to the fastest 68k based accelerators available
today, resulting in a breath-taking performance.

  Primarily  being  designed  as  an  upgrade  board  for existing Amiga
systems,   the   CYBERSTORM   PPC   incorporates  phase  5's  innovative
dual-processor  technologie,  where  a  fast  PowerPC  RISC processor is
combined  with  a  68k processor, in case of the CYBERSTORM PPC either a
68040 or a 68060 CPU.  Both CPUs dynamically share the memory and system
busses,  what  is  necessary for a true multiprocessor behaviour.  While
the  original  AmigaOS  3.x continues to run on the 68k CPU - as well as
all  existing  applications  do,  what provides 100% compatibility - the
PowerPC  CPU  is  supported  by a comprehensive PPC Library developed by
phase  5, which provides all functionality to integrate the PowerPC into
the  Amiga  multitasking  environment.   Software  developers can easily
optimze  their  programs step by step by porting single tasks to PowerPC
code,  which then can run parallel with 68k tasks.  Many important Amiga
software  vendors  are  preparing  ported  versions  of  their  software
packages  already,  so  it is expected that a large quantity of software
products supporting the PowerPC will be available soon.

  The  CYBERSTORM  PPC  will initially be availabe with the fast PowerPC
604e  processor  in clock speeds of 150, 180 and 200 MHz; the socket for
the  68k  companion processor accepts either a 68040 or a 68060 CPU.  It
provides  a  64-bit  wide, extremely fast memory expansion option (which
can  be  upgraded  by  using pairs of standard PS/2 type SIMMs) which is
dynamically  shared  by  the two CPUs.  Additionally, the CYBERSTORM PPC
comes along with a DMA-driven Wide ULTRA SCSI controller on-board, which
allows  transfer  rates  of  up  to  40MB/s  and  is  ready for the most
demanding  and professional applications.  A 32-bit high-speed expansion
connector  with DMA access to the main memory is also provided for later
upgradability.  The 200MHz version of the CYBERSTORM PPC provides - only
on  the  PPC  side  -  a  raw  performance  of  more  than  350  MIPS or
approximately  8.1  SPECint95  and  7.1  SPECfp95  (estimations based on
Motorola/IBM  manufacturer  specifications)  -  a blistering performance
that goes far beyond most PC systems available today.

  The  CYBERSTORM  PPC  will  be delivered with a comprehensive software
package,  which  includes  the PPC library as well as tools for creative
users,  among them a Public Domain GNU C compiler for PowerPC (including
sourcecode)  and  many  demo  programs and utilities with sourcecode; in
addition  to  this  software free developer support is available via the
phase  5  FTP  site.   Last  not  least  a  PowerPC-optimized version of
CyberGraphX  V3  with  RISC-optimized  CyberGL/3D and MPEG functions and
libraries is included - of course with comprehensive documentation.

  The  CYBERSTORM  PPC  will  be  selling  for  a very attractive price,
offering  a  superior  price/performance relation.  The suggested retail
prices are as follows:



                CYBERSTORM PPC w/ 150 MHz 604e processor

                  DM 1295,- / GBP 529.00 / USD 698.00


                CYBERSTORM PPC w/ 180 MHz 604e processor

                  DM 1595,- / GBP 649.00 / USD 879.00


                CYBERSTORM PPC w/ 200 MHz 604e processor

                  DM 1895,- / GBP 769.00 / USD 1069.00


Note:   All  prices  are  recommended retail prices.  English and german
price include local VAT, the recommended US price does not include local
taxes.  The prices are without the 68k CPU which is necessary to operate
the  CYBERSTORM  PPC.  68k processors from existing processor boards can
be used on the CYBERSTORM PPC by pluging these into the provided socket.
If  you  don't  own  a  68k  CPU  already,  ask  you local dealer for an
attractive bundle offer.

  Registered  owners  of  a phase 5 68040 - or 68060 board will - within
the PowerUp upgrade program - receive special, attractive upgrade offers
by  mail  during  March 97.  The handling of these upgrades will be done
via local appointed representatives.

  In  the  second  half  of  the  year, an innovative graphic board will
become  available  for  the  CYBERSTORM  PPC  expansion  slot which will
provide a functionality subset of the innovative CAIPIRINHA custom chip.
By  providing  a  stand-alone  version  of  the  DLRP (Display List Risc
Processor)  this board will offer superior display funtionality, highest
WRAM-based  resolution, pixel depth and speed as well as the possibility
to  start developing software that will support the functionality of our
upcoming  A\BOX  computer  system  (please  refer  also  to  the project
information about the A\BOX project in our news section).


end
