Other

MGT

Bruce Gordon

The Gold ASIC’s are the 40 prototype units from VLSI given to MGT, 20 of them have been mounted and signed by Bruce Gordon as memorabilia.

They have been awarded, presented to luminaries of the Sam scene at the Gloucester Shows and even sold on eBay.

Known recipients at the time:

• Chris White - Is in use in his Coupé
  
• Colin Piggot
  
• James R Curry
  
• Nev Young - also in active service
  
• Simon Cooke
  
• Stefan Drissen
  
• Steve Taylor
  
• Tim Paveley

Known recipients subsequently :

• Calvin Allett
  
• Stefan Schomburg via Ebay

From Colin Piggot on the Sam Users Mailing List:

[Golden ASICS] are the batch of 40 test pieces from VLSI. If I remember correctly the prices going around was £50,000 for the 40 prototype pieces. Typical procedure was to pay a very high price initially to pay for all the masks etc required for the manufacture of the silicon and get a few test pieces before commencing with a full batch of chips.

They get their ‘gold’ name for being in ceramic packaging with gold plated contacts and lid, with the mass produced batch in the more normal plastic packaging.