Editing NS32000 (section)

==32032==
[[File:KL National NS32032.jpg|right|thumb|NS32032 microprocessor]]

The 32032 was introduced in 1984. It is almost completely compatible with the 32016, but features a 32-bit data bus (although keeping the 24-bit address bus) for somewhat faster performance, described as "minicomputer performance" comparable with that of a VAX-11 system.<ref name="computerworld19840618_rada">{{ cite magazine | url=https://archive.org/details/sim_computerworld_1984-06-18_18_25/page/n34/mode/1up | title=The 32-bit flexible workstation: one supplier's answer for users | magazine=Computerworld | date=18 June 1984 | access-date=10 March 2022 | last1=Rada | first1=Col | pages=35–37, 39–40 }}</ref>{{rp|pages=39|quote=Preliminary benchmark tests indicate that the 32032 delivers minicomputer performance. On computation-intensive programs, the 32032 CPU running with the support of National Semiconductor's 32081 floating-point unit turned in a VAX-11-class performance. }} There was also a 32008, a 32016 with a data bus cut down to 8-bits wide for low-cost applications. It is philosophically similar to the [[Motorola 68008|MC68008]], and equally unpopular.

National also produced a series of related support chips like the NS32081 [[floating point unit]] (FPU), NS32082 [[memory management unit]] (MMU), NS32203 [[direct memory access]] (DMA) and NS32202 [[interrupt controller]]s. With the full set plus memory chips and peripherals, it was feasible to build a 32-bit computer system capable of supporting modern multi-tasking operating systems, something that had previously been possible only on expensive minicomputers and [[mainframe computer|mainframe]]s.

<gallery caption="Die photos" mode="packed">
Image:NS_NS16032_die.JPG|NS16032 CPU
Image:NS_NS16081_die.JPG|NS16081 FPU
Image:NS_NS32032_die.jpg|NS32032 CPU
Image:NS_NS32081_die.JPG|NS32081 FPU
Image:NS_NS32082_die.jpg|NS32082 MMU
Image:NS_NS32202_die.jpg|NS32202 Interrupt controller
Image:NS_NS32203_die.jpg|NS32203 DMA controller
</gallery>