Re: What is the good choice for a new Design ?

["Monish Shah" <monish@poboxes.com>]

>Dear experts,
>
>I'm going to build a new add-on board for both PCserver  and IBM work
station.
>In order to increase the life time of my product, I've plan to use a 66MHZ
>64 MHz and 3,3 v PCI interface.

Is your card meant specifically for IBM systems?  If so, you should seek
guidance from IBM regarding their plans.  If you are going after the entire
market, then my answers below apply.

>Do you  think that it is a good choice ?
>What will be the life time of the existing 64bits 66MHZ PCI standard in
>computers ?

I don't know the life time of 3.3V, 66 MHz, 64 bit PCI.  What I do know is
that most slots out there are 33 MHz slots keyed for 5V.  So, if you build a
3.3V only card, you'll have almost no market.  So, the key is to build a
universal card which can go into either 3.3V or 5V slots.  I don't think you
should worry about 66 MHz unless you really need the performance.  (If you
do need the performance, you have a specialty product and my advice doesn't
apply.)

>Thanks for answers
>Regards
>François Lepinette

- Monish

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