krja@runxtsa.runx.oz.au (Trevor Coulson) (09/07/90)
We have a Personal Iris 4D/25 & would wish to upgrade the machine
to 32MB. Currently, it is populated with 1MB (9x1mb) SIMM modules. I understand
that 2MB SIMM modules are required to expand the machine up to 32MB. A local
supplier of memory was unfamiliar with 2MB SIMM modules & needed more more
information about them:-
Do they contain 18x1mb chips? If so, is there 18 on one side on the
module or 9 on each side? What is the part No?
Alternatively, a reference to a supplier (& current prices) would be
greatly appreciated (A US source would be fine). Silicon Graphics (Australia)
is an obvious supplier - however, a 32MB upgrade is in excess of A$20000 or
US$16000. I am aware that PROM revison 7 (at least) is required to support
32MB of memory. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Cheers Trevor.nagy%warner.dnet@fngate ("Frank J. Nagy:VAX Guru,Wizard&Loose Cannon") (09/07/90)
Here are two messages about upgrading PIs past 16 MB. Basically what one wants to do is remove the 1 MB SIMMs and replace them with 4 MB SIMMs. The 4 MB SIMMs allow one to upgrade the PIs with anything from 16 MB up to 64 MB of memory. The second message gives a supplier of 4 MB SIMMs which are cheaper (per MB) than the 1 MB SIMMs! =============================================================================== From: FNAL::LEININGER "MARK LEININGER@FNALB.FNAL.GOV (708) 840-4776" 24-AUG-1990 12:12:25.33 To: RICHARDSON CC: NAGY,HERBER,THOMAS,LEININGER Subj: Upgrading SGI Personal Iris past 16M You have two options to upgrade the PI past 16M. Background: The PI has 16 memory slots. If you populate them all with 1M Simms, you go to 16M. If you populate them all with 2M Simms (only available from SGI) you got to 32M. If you populate them all with 4M Simms (only available from third party), you can go to 16M, 32M, 48M, or 64M. You can mix 1M Simms with 2M or 4M Simms to go to 24M or other combinations. Here's what to buy: SGI HU-C32B 32MB Memory upgrade $9100 (discounted price) This upgrade consists of sixteen, 2M byte boards. A 2M byte board is made of double high 1M bit chips. There are a total of 16 memory slots in a personal Iris. So, this 32M upgrade can be used to take one machine to 32M, or to take two machines to 16M. It can also be used to take a machine from 8M to 24M, but note that the 2M Simms must be in the first slots. The disadvantage of this upgrade is that it is not possible to purchase just a 16M upgrade. You must buy the whole 32M. The other disadvantage is that it limits you to 32M forever unless you through out boards. Southcoast Electronics SC94000/08 4MB Memory Upgrade $1652 This upgrade consists of a single 4M Simm made with 4M bit chips. By purchasing 8 of these modules, you could take a single machine to 32M for a total cost of $13,216. The advantage of these upgrades is that you can take the machine to 64M rather than just 32M because it uses 4M boards instead of 2M boards. Also, it is possible to purchase only what you need rather than having to buy the complete 32M upgrade kit. I would expect to see these 4M prices tumble in the near future. =============================================================================== From: FNAL::LEININGER "MARK LEININGER@FNALB.FNAL.GOV (708) 840-4776" 27-AUG-1990 15:20:18.55 To: NAGY,HERBER,THOMAS CC: LEININGER Subj: SGI upgrade memory, best price yet Here is the best price I've seen yet on SGI upgrade memory. It is 4Mbit chips at the same price as 1Mbit chips. Dataram Corp. 1100 Jorie Blvd. Suite 118 Oak Brook, IL 60521 4MB Memory Module for SGI Personal Iris 4D/20 Product Number #D/SIMM/4 Part #61906 $355/each So, for a 32M upgrade you need 8 boards for a cost of 8x355= $2840 as opposed to $9100 our price from SGI. =============================================================================== = Dr. Frank J. Nagy "VAX Guru & Wizard" = Fermilab Computing Division/Distributed Computing Dept/Special Projects Grp = HEPnet/SPAN: WARNER::NAGY (43198::NAGY) or FNAL::NAGY (43009::NAGY) = BitNet: NAGY@FNAL = Internet: NAGY@FNALF.FNAL.GOV = USnail: Fermilab POB 500 MS/234 Batavia, IL 60510