nixd2001
Sep 14, 07:48 PM
Originally posted by onemoof
Someone asked the difference between RISC and CISC.
First thing, there isn't that distinction anymore. RISC originally meant that the processor had fixed width instructions (so it wouldn't have to waste time asking the software how big the next instruction will be). CISC mean that the processor had variable width instructions (meaning time would have to be taken to figure out how long the next instruction is before fetching it.) However, Intel has addressed this problem by making it possible for the processor to switch to a fixed-width mode for special processor intensive purposes. The PowerPC is stuck with fixed-width and has no ability to enjoy the flexibility of variable-width instructions for non-processor-intensive tasks. This means that CISC is now better than RISC. (Using the terms to loosely define Pentium as CISC and PowerPC as RISC.)
Originally it was Reduced versus Complex instruction set computer. Making simpler processors go faster is generally easier than making complex processors go faster as there is less internal state/logic to synchronise and keep track of. For any given fabrication technology, this still generally holds true. Intel managed to sidestep this principle by investing massive sums in their fab plants, effectively meaning that the fab processes being compared weren't the same.
The opposite end of the spectrum from RISC is arguably the VAX line. With this instruction set, massive complexities arose from the fact that a single instruction took so long and did so much. It was possible for timers, interrupts and "page faults" to occur midway during an instruction. This required saving a lot of internal state so that it could later be restored. There were examples of performing a given operation with a single instruction or a sequence of instructions that performed the same effect, but where the sequence achieved the join quicker because the internal implementation within the processor was able to get on with the job quicker because it was actually a simpler task being asked of it.
The idea of fixed sized instructions isn't directly coupled to the original notion of RISC, although it is only one step behind. One of the basic ideas with the original RISC processors was that an instruction should only take a single cycle to complete. So a 100MHz CPU might actually achieve 100M instructions per second. (This was often not achieved due to memory latencies, but this isn't the "fault" of the processor core). In this context, having a variable length instruction means that it is easy for the instruction decoding (especially if it requires more than one "word") to require for effort than any other aspect of executing an instruction.
There are situations where a variable width instruction might have advantages, but the argument goes that breaking the overall task down into equal sized instructions means that fetching (including caching, branch predicting, ec) and decoding these instructions becomes simpler, permitting optimisations and speed gains to be made elsewhere in the processor design.
Intel blur RISC and CISC into gray by effectively executing RISC instructions internally, even if they support the apparent decoding of CISC insructions. They only do this for legacy reasons.
Apple will never switch to IA32 (Pentium) because 32 bit processors are a dead-end and maybe have a couple years left. The reason is because they can only have a maximum of 4 GB of RAM [ (2^32)/(1 Billion) = 4.29 GB ]. This limit is very close to being reached in current desktop computers. Apple MAY at some point decide to jump to IA64 in my opinion, and I think they should. Obviously the Intel family of processors is unbeatable unless they have some sort of catastrophe happen to them. If Apple jumped on they'd be back on track. Unfortunately I don't believe IA64 is yet cheap enough for desktops.
I think this "unbeatable" assertion requires some qualification. It may be that Intel will achieve the best price/performance ratio within a suitable range of qualifications, but this is different from always achieving best p/p ratio whatever. Indeed, IA64 versus Power4 is going to be an interesting battle because Intel has bet on ILP (instruction level parallelism) whereas IBM has bet on data bandwidth. Ultimately (and today!), I think IBM's bet has more going for it. But that's if you want ultimate performance. The PC space is often characterised by people apparenntly wanting ultimate performance but actually always massively qualifiying it with severe price restrictions (such as less than 5 digits to the price).
Someone asked the difference between RISC and CISC.
First thing, there isn't that distinction anymore. RISC originally meant that the processor had fixed width instructions (so it wouldn't have to waste time asking the software how big the next instruction will be). CISC mean that the processor had variable width instructions (meaning time would have to be taken to figure out how long the next instruction is before fetching it.) However, Intel has addressed this problem by making it possible for the processor to switch to a fixed-width mode for special processor intensive purposes. The PowerPC is stuck with fixed-width and has no ability to enjoy the flexibility of variable-width instructions for non-processor-intensive tasks. This means that CISC is now better than RISC. (Using the terms to loosely define Pentium as CISC and PowerPC as RISC.)
Originally it was Reduced versus Complex instruction set computer. Making simpler processors go faster is generally easier than making complex processors go faster as there is less internal state/logic to synchronise and keep track of. For any given fabrication technology, this still generally holds true. Intel managed to sidestep this principle by investing massive sums in their fab plants, effectively meaning that the fab processes being compared weren't the same.
The opposite end of the spectrum from RISC is arguably the VAX line. With this instruction set, massive complexities arose from the fact that a single instruction took so long and did so much. It was possible for timers, interrupts and "page faults" to occur midway during an instruction. This required saving a lot of internal state so that it could later be restored. There were examples of performing a given operation with a single instruction or a sequence of instructions that performed the same effect, but where the sequence achieved the join quicker because the internal implementation within the processor was able to get on with the job quicker because it was actually a simpler task being asked of it.
The idea of fixed sized instructions isn't directly coupled to the original notion of RISC, although it is only one step behind. One of the basic ideas with the original RISC processors was that an instruction should only take a single cycle to complete. So a 100MHz CPU might actually achieve 100M instructions per second. (This was often not achieved due to memory latencies, but this isn't the "fault" of the processor core). In this context, having a variable length instruction means that it is easy for the instruction decoding (especially if it requires more than one "word") to require for effort than any other aspect of executing an instruction.
There are situations where a variable width instruction might have advantages, but the argument goes that breaking the overall task down into equal sized instructions means that fetching (including caching, branch predicting, ec) and decoding these instructions becomes simpler, permitting optimisations and speed gains to be made elsewhere in the processor design.
Intel blur RISC and CISC into gray by effectively executing RISC instructions internally, even if they support the apparent decoding of CISC insructions. They only do this for legacy reasons.
Apple will never switch to IA32 (Pentium) because 32 bit processors are a dead-end and maybe have a couple years left. The reason is because they can only have a maximum of 4 GB of RAM [ (2^32)/(1 Billion) = 4.29 GB ]. This limit is very close to being reached in current desktop computers. Apple MAY at some point decide to jump to IA64 in my opinion, and I think they should. Obviously the Intel family of processors is unbeatable unless they have some sort of catastrophe happen to them. If Apple jumped on they'd be back on track. Unfortunately I don't believe IA64 is yet cheap enough for desktops.
I think this "unbeatable" assertion requires some qualification. It may be that Intel will achieve the best price/performance ratio within a suitable range of qualifications, but this is different from always achieving best p/p ratio whatever. Indeed, IA64 versus Power4 is going to be an interesting battle because Intel has bet on ILP (instruction level parallelism) whereas IBM has bet on data bandwidth. Ultimately (and today!), I think IBM's bet has more going for it. But that's if you want ultimate performance. The PC space is often characterised by people apparenntly wanting ultimate performance but actually always massively qualifiying it with severe price restrictions (such as less than 5 digits to the price).
curmi
Nov 11, 04:44 AM
I wonder if they'll do a version of the ad with the female camera that speaks Japanese, but make her an American camera that speaks English. :-)
MacRumorUser
Mar 25, 06:34 PM
I should have gone for black!!! :(
I got my Aqua Blue (it's more green than blue) and I'm not really keen on the color and if anything it is actually off putting. Oh well.
I got Ridge Racer as a freebie, and I'm glad as I certainly would not have liked to pay for it. Its a big pile of meh!
PilotWings which I was so looking forward to is likewise only ok, it's not as good as pilotwings 64!
SuperStreet Fighter IV is likewise good but not spectacular in any shape or form.
The problem with all of these is that they somehow don't look as sharp or smooth (AA) as they should and it's a little jarring. Somehow the many videos of over the shoulder camera shoots / hands on And the game trailers themselves look better than reality.
In actual fact I'm not bowled over by any of the launch titles and there is so much stuff on the 3DS itself that tells you 'will be available in an update' when you click on it that im not bowled over by it too. I mean come on Nintendo FFS!
Stereoscopy works but by god that sweet spot it requires is really fecking tight! The merest tilt throws it off and as this is a handheld console you will be throwing it off a lot, unless you unnaturally physically force your arms to hold it as rigid as possible, hold your eyes half crossed and fixed tight (which strains), and your neck stiff too. It's clear why Parralax 3D is a long way off being used for commercial TV screens. When it works it works, but it takes a wasps fart to blow it off course.
It is much harder to view 3D content on the 3DS than with 3D glasses on an active 3DTV.
Overall I'm glad this cost me negligible (traded in dsi xl and couple of games) otherwise I'd be mightily pissed off with myself.
Certainly is nt worth the €270 asking price - nor the €45 game prices either.
I got my Aqua Blue (it's more green than blue) and I'm not really keen on the color and if anything it is actually off putting. Oh well.
I got Ridge Racer as a freebie, and I'm glad as I certainly would not have liked to pay for it. Its a big pile of meh!
PilotWings which I was so looking forward to is likewise only ok, it's not as good as pilotwings 64!
SuperStreet Fighter IV is likewise good but not spectacular in any shape or form.
The problem with all of these is that they somehow don't look as sharp or smooth (AA) as they should and it's a little jarring. Somehow the many videos of over the shoulder camera shoots / hands on And the game trailers themselves look better than reality.
In actual fact I'm not bowled over by any of the launch titles and there is so much stuff on the 3DS itself that tells you 'will be available in an update' when you click on it that im not bowled over by it too. I mean come on Nintendo FFS!
Stereoscopy works but by god that sweet spot it requires is really fecking tight! The merest tilt throws it off and as this is a handheld console you will be throwing it off a lot, unless you unnaturally physically force your arms to hold it as rigid as possible, hold your eyes half crossed and fixed tight (which strains), and your neck stiff too. It's clear why Parralax 3D is a long way off being used for commercial TV screens. When it works it works, but it takes a wasps fart to blow it off course.
It is much harder to view 3D content on the 3DS than with 3D glasses on an active 3DTV.
Overall I'm glad this cost me negligible (traded in dsi xl and couple of games) otherwise I'd be mightily pissed off with myself.
Certainly is nt worth the €270 asking price - nor the €45 game prices either.
fpnc
Feb 23, 05:36 PM
Write to Congress, don't just complain here.
more...
Flying Llama
Jun 12, 12:50 PM
Hi Redeye,
I have come accross another bug, or it's my dual G5... or Atszyman is spoking me out! :mad: Like he's ever gonna catch up with me!
This is the case: I have three folding widgets running for over a week now, no problem in that week. I have three because I want to monitor someone behind me (Atszyman) and my next overtake in front of me. But when I just looked all three widgets where on Atszyman.
It's not just the folding tracker widget: I believe there is one preference file for a specific widget, so when dashboard was restarted, it loaded the preference file, and applied it to all folding tracker widgets. Apple should fix this...
Short funny sayings images
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Funny Short Sayings: T Shirts,
Short Funny Sayings.
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I have come accross another bug, or it's my dual G5... or Atszyman is spoking me out! :mad: Like he's ever gonna catch up with me!
This is the case: I have three folding widgets running for over a week now, no problem in that week. I have three because I want to monitor someone behind me (Atszyman) and my next overtake in front of me. But when I just looked all three widgets where on Atszyman.
It's not just the folding tracker widget: I believe there is one preference file for a specific widget, so when dashboard was restarted, it loaded the preference file, and applied it to all folding tracker widgets. Apple should fix this...
AT71
Sep 27, 01:08 PM
Hope the volume issue is solved in this update.
more...
rdowns
Apr 11, 10:51 AM
You forgot one thing. I added it for you. You're welcome.
I love how so many here talk about needed cuts, but never talk about needing to raise taxes. :rolleyes:
Agreed. I also find it absurd that people think we can solve this now as opposed to over time. It took at least 8 years to get where we are, we can't fix it on one.
I love how so many here talk about needed cuts, but never talk about needing to raise taxes. :rolleyes:
Agreed. I also find it absurd that people think we can solve this now as opposed to over time. It took at least 8 years to get where we are, we can't fix it on one.
wpotere
Apr 12, 01:06 PM
WTF? Why does the MS Office updater force me to quit chrome ????
Probably a shared library or plugin that is being updated.
Probably a shared library or plugin that is being updated.
more...
lordonuthin
Apr 24, 05:26 PM
sweet :D welcome to the team in that case,
sidenote, hmmm mines been fetching a new WU for the last half hour, my iStat is showing no net usage or downloads :S any ideas whats going on?
hmm the log is showing no more work left :S i've just restarted F@H and selected the ' larger then 5Mb option ' but still nothing :S anyone else getting this?
Restarting should fix it but it may cough a few times or you can get rid of the queue.dat file to get it going again. if you are using the terminal start it with "./fah6 -config" and when you get to the part where it asks if you want to change advanced setting say yes and use defaults for everything, except say yes to scientific wu's, and it should give you something to work on. Scientific wu's are alpha and beta stage wu's which could have problems but usually finish ok for me.
sidenote, hmmm mines been fetching a new WU for the last half hour, my iStat is showing no net usage or downloads :S any ideas whats going on?
hmm the log is showing no more work left :S i've just restarted F@H and selected the ' larger then 5Mb option ' but still nothing :S anyone else getting this?
Restarting should fix it but it may cough a few times or you can get rid of the queue.dat file to get it going again. if you are using the terminal start it with "./fah6 -config" and when you get to the part where it asks if you want to change advanced setting say yes and use defaults for everything, except say yes to scientific wu's, and it should give you something to work on. Scientific wu's are alpha and beta stage wu's which could have problems but usually finish ok for me.
MacRumors
Apr 21, 12:48 PM
http://www.macrumors.com/images/macrumorsthreadlogo.gif (http://www.macrumors.com/2011/04/21/apple-seeding-high-level-gaming-developers-with-a5-based-iphone-4s/)
http://images.macrumors.com/article/2011/04/21/134644-a5_ipad_2_150px.jpg
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funny sayings. funny sayings:
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Humorous Coffee mug, funny
http://images.macrumors.com/article/2011/04/21/134644-a5_ipad_2_150px.jpg
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SevenInchScrew
Jun 17, 06:01 PM
The systems are now starting to show up in retail today, and some people have posted pictures to give some scale to things. Here is the new 360 between the older 360 and the older PS3. It isn't exactly battling the Wii for smallest console, but it is a decent amount smaller...
http://i50.tinypic.com/16nex0.jpg
http://i50.tinypic.com/16nex0.jpg
CANEHDN
Mar 26, 06:25 PM
Who honestly cares? Lame. I saw a black guy and a mexican guy chatting outside a bookstore yesterday. Let's focus on that.
more...
jelloshotsrule
May 7, 04:27 PM
Originally posted by scem0
Does SJ really think that a 16 year old who
has to pay for his own computer will be able to afford a mac?
i agree that macs could be cheaper... but your reasoning isn't exactly perfect... i mean, does mr. bmw think that a 17 year old who just got his license and has to buy his own car can afford a bmw?
you get the point.
i know it's not the same, but yeah. word.
Does SJ really think that a 16 year old who
has to pay for his own computer will be able to afford a mac?
i agree that macs could be cheaper... but your reasoning isn't exactly perfect... i mean, does mr. bmw think that a 17 year old who just got his license and has to buy his own car can afford a bmw?
you get the point.
i know it's not the same, but yeah. word.
oliversl
Mar 28, 09:04 AM
ok, that confirm no iOS5 in June. The iPhone 5 is re-scheduled for september? Could it be?
more...
robbieduncan
Apr 15, 04:59 PM
It's only on the front page: http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=1137228
dukebound85
Apr 4, 03:59 PM
In CT we are taxed I believe 50 cents on every gallon. The problem is that as gas prices rise people buy less of it and the taxes dry up.
so they drive less as well if they don't buy gas..
But these taxes are historically for funding the construction and upkeep of the highways, not to curb gas usage or to spur efficiency.
A car that gets 60 mpg will do just as much 'damage' to a road surface as a car that get 8 mpg....but the 50mpg car will pay much, MUCH less for upkeep of that road than the other in a gas-tax based situation.
No. A car that gets 50mpg is likely much lighter than a car that gets 8mpgs... and hence doesn't put near as much wear on the road
so they drive less as well if they don't buy gas..
But these taxes are historically for funding the construction and upkeep of the highways, not to curb gas usage or to spur efficiency.
A car that gets 60 mpg will do just as much 'damage' to a road surface as a car that get 8 mpg....but the 50mpg car will pay much, MUCH less for upkeep of that road than the other in a gas-tax based situation.
No. A car that gets 50mpg is likely much lighter than a car that gets 8mpgs... and hence doesn't put near as much wear on the road
more...
Di9it8
Oct 26, 03:32 AM
This is what you get on the Apple New Zealand site:D
NoSmokingBandit
Jun 14, 05:22 PM
Funny you should say that, because the company that designed the original 360 (and presumably this new redesign) is also the company that designs stuff for Alienware...
http://www.astrostudios.com/projects/archive/?all=1#
Lol, thats funny.
I dont understand why MS would put a huge vent on top of the unit. Dust will clog the fans like crazy, and with the 360's horrid stability record i would be very nervous laying it down flat on my shelf.
http://www.astrostudios.com/projects/archive/?all=1#
Lol, thats funny.
I dont understand why MS would put a huge vent on top of the unit. Dust will clog the fans like crazy, and with the 360's horrid stability record i would be very nervous laying it down flat on my shelf.
nagromme
Apr 19, 09:57 AM
Whether it ships or not, I hope it’s real and not just an OS hack. I’d like Apple to keep playing with different multitasking UIs. The current version is nice, and those iPad developer gestures are awesome, but it’s worth experimenting to find the best method.
The Expos� thing is neat, but needs app icons added to the windows.
I like the new(?) folders—looks like they’d fit 3 icons across, to better match what you see in the folder icons! Hope they keep that system. Or something with 3 across. (Or, if nothing else, have 4 across but show the top-left 3x3 set in the icon.)
Anyone notice the lip around the edge on the front and back? Maybe will help avoid scratches when dragged on a flat surface.
Maybe that’s just how it looks in white, with that lighting? The glass may not be inset any more than the existing version—which has black plastic lip in the same place (flush with the glass).
The Expos� thing is neat, but needs app icons added to the windows.
I like the new(?) folders—looks like they’d fit 3 icons across, to better match what you see in the folder icons! Hope they keep that system. Or something with 3 across. (Or, if nothing else, have 4 across but show the top-left 3x3 set in the icon.)
Anyone notice the lip around the edge on the front and back? Maybe will help avoid scratches when dragged on a flat surface.
Maybe that’s just how it looks in white, with that lighting? The glass may not be inset any more than the existing version—which has black plastic lip in the same place (flush with the glass).
acfusion29
Mar 13, 02:00 PM
Actually... my Samsung Focus (Windows Phone 7) updated itself at 1:59 to 3:00... I watched. I believe this is an Apple level problem, not Microsoft ;)
Phones keep time while they're off. Phone's also don't check to see what time it is, every hour, they check when they're turned on. The network provides a fallback, but the phone should know what time it is, too. There's no excuse for Apple's spotty coding. None.
i understand what you're saying, as soon as the phone is booted up, the time is pushed to the phone by the carrier.
the time was updating by the carrier right at 2AM to reflect the proper time changes. this has nothing to do with Apple's code. the only way i can see this being a problem is if the setting "set time automatically" wasn't enabled.
Phones keep time while they're off. Phone's also don't check to see what time it is, every hour, they check when they're turned on. The network provides a fallback, but the phone should know what time it is, too. There's no excuse for Apple's spotty coding. None.
i understand what you're saying, as soon as the phone is booted up, the time is pushed to the phone by the carrier.
the time was updating by the carrier right at 2AM to reflect the proper time changes. this has nothing to do with Apple's code. the only way i can see this being a problem is if the setting "set time automatically" wasn't enabled.
Hastings101
Apr 25, 02:42 PM
Too early to quit dvd altogether:confused:
If its up to me to should throw that medium into the wastebin asap.
Nooo thanks, DVDs are still very very useful.
If its up to me to should throw that medium into the wastebin asap.
Nooo thanks, DVDs are still very very useful.
redeye be
Jun 2, 03:05 AM
I really like your pic redeye_be it reminds me of something. :rolleyes:
But have you seen it all? ;)
But have you seen it all? ;)
studiomusic
Sep 21, 10:44 AM
I did the update and still can't get XP to load. Blue screen just after loading all the drivers for install. I used this same CD to install on my MBP (before I sold it to get the Mac Pro [yes, I uninstalled it before selling it, so no piracy here]), so I know it's the Mac Pro that hates Windows as much as me.
Millah
May 2, 03:54 PM
I don't know if Macrumors just got the labeling mixed up on those cameras, but the camera lens on the right that's inside the phone is the exact same camera sensor that I have in my launch day black iPhone 4. I've taken it apart several times and know that camera well. The one on the left (which MR labeled to be from a black iPhone) is the lens thatnis new to me.
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