Re: Is backward compatibility with x86 architecture holding back CPU functionality?

Casey Hawthorne wrote:

Back in the 486 days, I wondered why newer computers couldn't have two
CPU's; a 486 for x86 compatibility along with a newer Pentium design.

You could get the 486 and the i860 on a board. From http://lair.xent.com/pipermail/fork/Week-of-Mon-20050207/033587.html :

"Hauppauge made a workstation (the 4860) with both an i860 and a 486.
The 486 was to take the interrupt load away from the i860."

Hauppauge does mostly TV cards now, I think.


Thomas
.