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Unknown SPARCstation 20 CPU

antiquekid3

antiquekid3

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I took apart a SPARCstation 20 tonight and didn't recognize the CPU in it. What am I looking at here?

1000031664.jpg
 
I don't recognize it either but I strongly suspect it's a dual HyperSPARC of some description.

edit: I think I can just about read the sticker that would indicate it's a 142 MHz module, which probably means it's got 1 MB L2.
 
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Agree with likely dual hypersparc, but I have never seen that CPU either. Pretty cool
 
Very wide module as well, normally the Ross CPUs are single width. Maybe the cooling is better on this.
 
Google says that a P/N 511-6326 is a SUN / ROSS DUAL 125 MHz HYPERSPARC 511-6326 Sun SPARCstation 20.
There is one for sale on eBay.
 
m_thompson said:
Google says that a P/N 511-6326 is a SUN / ROSS DUAL 125 MHz HYPERSPARC 511-6326 Sun SPARCstation 20.
There is one for sale on eBay.
Click to expand...

Ross used generic part numbers that only tell you if it's single or dual and how much cache but there's many exception and overlaps so you can't fully trust them and when bridgepoint took over they changed things around a lot. Because of that it's best to just ignore the sun style part number and look at the other labels. This one has a label below the part number that says "142 05 9740 - 64". 142 is the speed, 05 is the factory it was made in, 9740 is the date code, and -64 tells you the bill of materials used to make it but we don't have enough info to decode that.
 
I have 2 x dual Ross CPUs (125MHz) fitted on my 20 together with a ZX framebuffer. Given the weather we've got in the UK at the moment (hot) its struggling. I should probably fit an extra fan in there somehow as it is ridiculously hot?
 
Two dual CPU modules and a ZX use 100W or more of power. I'd put extra fans on that in almost any weather.
 
I've seen people add fans on the 'left' side of the case (with the front facing you) to extract the hot air. I've cleaned the PSU so there is a reasonable flow of air through the modules - I can certainly feel the air externally on the vent. Suspect its not clearing the hot air sufficiently though.
 
Sun redesigned the Aurora chassis to improve airflow for the ZX (separately from redesigning it to allow for a half-height CD-ROM, instead of the third-height unit). The redesigned chassis has larger openings on the side vents, to allow greater airflow through the PSU and over the card slots. The most obvious visual distinction is that the original design has three horizontal stabilizers running visibly through the side strakes (each vent slot is split into four), and the new design has only one (each vent slot is split into two).

They also made a dual-width fan card that I believe was mandatory for the Turbo ZX, and possibly also mandatory for the standard ZX in some specific configurations.
 
bear said:
Sun redesigned the Aurora chassis to improve airflow for the ZX (separately from redesigning it to allow for a half-height CD-ROM, instead of the third-height unit). The redesigned chassis has larger openings on the side vents, to allow greater airflow through the PSU and over the card slots. The most obvious visual distinction is that the original design has three horizontal stabilizers running visibly through the side strakes (each vent slot is split into four), and the new design has only one (each vent slot is split into two).

They also made a dual-width fan card that I believe was mandatory for the Turbo ZX, and possibly also mandatory for the standard ZX in some specific configurations.
Click to expand...
Thanks - I might see if I can track one of those down.
 
never mind the prices, these two ebay listings illustrate the difference. I guess I'll copy in the relevant photos to hedge against their inevitable link rot.

1753889311486.png
www.ebay.com

Sun SPARCStation 20 SM51 CPU 256MB Memory TGX Graphics 9.1GB HDD, TESTED! | eBay

501-2607 SM51 50MHz 1MB Cache SuperSPARC CPU Module. Model: SS20, SPARCstation 20, SPARC 20. Fully Tested Sun SPARCstation 20 Workstation. You are purchasing the SPARCstation 20 pictured. 501-2325 Turbo GX Graphics (TGX), DB13W3 Connector.
www.ebay.com
1753889287775.png
 
The only difference is in the plastic side covers, the metal chassis is identical. You can just take the plastic side covers off to get better airflow.
 
Correct; I see that the way I worded my original post could suggest otherwise. In fact Sun would just send you replacement plastic side covers for your existing chassis if, for example, you ordered a Turbo ZX as an upgrade.
 
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