Suggestion for CWA - PCI Express version of Scope Cards

[webbunny]

Hi all,

I can't find it now, but there was a thread about what CWA shouls focus their R&D on now they are much smaller than they were.

The consensus seemed to be to develop the hardware and the SPF routing software/drivers, bug fix Modular , and leave new device dev to 3rd parties.

I've had a thought. CWA should develop PCI Express versions of the DSP cards, keeping as much the same as the current cards as possible. Then release a new version of the SPF drivers that would allow access to a system memory 'pool' over PCI Express that could be used for long delays, waveguides, convolution etc. This would get around the lack of on board memory that the current cards have (their achilles heel imho), with not as great a development/production cost as on card RAM.

The greatly increased bandwidth of PCI Express should mean the end of the dreaded 'PCI Master Overflow' error.

Andy.

[sinix]

I completely agress with every point, but realistically I think that's at least a year and probably two years away from happening.

- sl

[Shayne White]

Hear, hear!!

Really, if they switch to PCI Express, they won't even have to bother with onboard RAM at all because the bus will be so fast. Also the new speeds will allow them to use the new DSP chips from AD!!

PCI Express is amazing and awesome, and I just can't wait to get my hands on it!

Shayne

[hubird]

sounds like heaven...
where'nt there any disadvantages?
I hope CWA will think about this option while Wsippel and friends are working on OS-X
I invested in DSP and plugs in SP, while my mac G4 has to work too hard...
The step to a G5 is enevitable soon
They (CWA) won't say anything about this, but I hope they are aware of the logical step they have to do, and if I'm right not alone because of the mac community

[Shayne White]

G5 and CreamWare together sounds nice, but Apple'd have to implement PCI Express first...(and so would CreamWare)