SGI launches bus-free NT workstation

New architecture offers 3.2Gb transfer rate.

[QQ]Silicon Graphics (SGI) this week launched a family of Windows NT workstations that promises to shake up the high-end PC market, writes Joanne Wallen.[QQ] Using a patented 'bus-less' PC architecture, the workstations are potentially 10 times faster than conventional PCs.[QQ] The new systems use Pentium II processors and are 100% compatible with conventional PC architectures and Windows NT.[QQ] Jim Irving, UK workstations director for SGI, said the machines are aimed at both existing SGI users and NT users who are 'uncomfortable with the performance of their existing workstation'.[QQ] The new 'Cobalt' architecture is based on the technology used in Silicon Graphics' O2 workstation. Instead of a conventional data bus, the CPU connects to the graphics processors directly through the main memory.[QQ] Irving said the machines offer a data transfer rate of 3.2Gb per second - 10 times faster than the fastest PCI bus - and memory bandwidth six times that of the AGP (advanced graphics processor) standard. Also, by having the memory directly on the motherboard, the machines can share 2Gb of memory between the CPU and the graphics, rather than the 64Mb usually allocated on a graphics card.[QQ] The first two models, which will be available next month, are the Silicon Graphics 320, a one to two-processor model, and the Silicon Graphics 540, which SGI claims is the first workstation in the world to support up to four Pentium II Xeon processors.[QQ] The 320 will cost #2,340 and the 540 is #4,130.[QQ] SGI has also launched a flat-panel, high-resolution 17.3in digital LCD monitor.[QQ] Compaq will launch its first Alpha-based workstations next month.[QQ] The Professional Workstation XP1000 will be the first Alpha product to incorporate Digital and Compaq technologies.