Is Nintendo64 a true 64-bit console?

[gamingguy]

Just curious...

[digitalpress]

Yes.

From the DP Guide:

Processor: NEC R4300i-class RISC CPU (64-bit)
Processor Speed: 93.75 Mhz
Co-Processor: NEC RISC "Reality Immersion" RCP (64-bit)
Co-Processor Speed: 62.5 Mhz
Memory: Rambus D-RAM 36Mbit
Resolution: 256 x 224 to 640 x 480
Polygons: 150k pps @ 60 fps
Color Palette: 16.8 million colors
Colors: 32,000 max on-screen
Sound: 16-bit Digital Stereo

[Arqueologia_Digital]

How about the Jaguar, i don´t think that the Jaguar is a 64 bit system, think that the machine needs the 64 bits to make the games run, aren´t it?

[Ruudos]

It has two 32-bits processors. Some say it's 64-bit though, but that doesn't mean it's more powerful than, for example, the Playstation.
Atari 2600 is also 8-bit, that doesn't mean it as powerful as the NES or Master System.

[slapdash]

How about the Jaguar, i don´t think that the Jaguar is a 64 bit system

I actually asked Leonard Tramiel to justify whether or not the Jag was 64-bit. He explained that there is a 64-bit data bus, and you can handle data in 64-bit chunks (I believe only sound and/or graphics though), so it really is. The 32-bit processors don't need to process 64 bits at a time because of their functions (tasks are handled by auxiliary processors).

The thing is, the new systems may be 128-bit machines, but not all of it may really be used most of the time... So, saying the Jaguar isn't a 64-bit system is wrong. Saying it is might be a little misleading. It's simply impossible to measure a system by quoting it's stats anymore -- it's really up to the architecture in toto.

[Raedon]

hmm.. aren't the brains of the Jaquar a Motorola 68000 that is 16bit?

[slapdash]

hmm.. aren't the brains of the Jaquar a Motorola 68000 that is 16bit?

Indeed, but calling it a 16-bit system isn't fair to it. That was Leonard's point. He blamed the low-quality of many games on development houses that knew the 68000, but didn't try to use any of the other processors on board because they feared the learning curve, or didn't want to take the time. So the games that look like 16-bit games probably are. But the developers who took a little more time and effort created 64-bit games that took advantage of the full bus and multiple processors.

[Arqueologia_Digital]

Conclusion: is a 64 bit system with poor games, i only like: Wolfenstein 3D, Doom, Tempest 2000 and Atari Karts.

[Wavelflack]

I remember reading that jag had two 64 bit chips--the blitter and "Tom", the GPU.

[slapdash]

I remember reading that jag had two 64 bit chips--the blitter and "Tom", the GPU.

Yeah... I don't remember the specifics anymore, but the two custom processors are "Tom" & "Jerry". Then there's the 16-bit 68000 and a 32-bit processor besides, I think... Might be another 16-bit processor instead...