What's happening in the world of MIPS?

[SiliconWizard]

Offtopic: someone had fun while combining a TQFP and BGA footprint 

LOL 

Looks funny indeed, but they were probably unsure of the short-term availability of either package when they designed the board and were probably pressed by upper management to release it ASAP.

[Whales]

That's a very interesting looking board. Thanks for the high-res pic

RAM

Three types:
 - 1 DIP for 8-bit (occupied)
 - 4 DIPS for 32 bits
 - more traditional SODIMM (occupied)

I'd guess the 32bit memory bus is split across four 8-bit DIP rams so that it can access them all in parallel, rather than sequentially.  Presumably this is an alternative to using the SODIMM.

The 8-bit slot is however more interesting -- did someone mention these processors booting up in an 8-bit mode?  Maybe the entire addressing system changed electronically as well as logically, so this processor required an 8-bit RAM chip for boot.

I/O

Unless you use some PCI I/O cards you are limited to just RS-232.

By golly that MAX23 at the top-right has a lot of big caps attached, they were not taking any chances about it not being able to charge pump.


EDIT: It comes with an OS built into its EEPROM too.  Lots of curly details.  https://www.idt.com/document/mae/79s334a-evaluation-board-manual