Company Unveils Next-Generation Intel Processor-Based Workstations
MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA --(May 15, 2000)-- SGI introduced next-generation
Intel processor-based workstations that deliver unparalleled system
performance to creative and technical professionals running either Windows
or Linux operating systems (OS). The systems ship with SGI VPro graphics
also announced by the company.
The Silicon Graphics 230, Silicon Graphics 330 and Silicon Graphics
550 workstations accelerate OpenGL graphics functions such as hardware
transform and lighting, texture mapping and anti-aliasing, allowing
users to bring increased realism to 3D models. These features are essential
in the professional Windows NT market space, and are available for the
first time on a workstation for Linux users. The new systems are based
on Intel Pentium III and Pentium III Xeon processors and have been certified
for the Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 and Red Hat Linux 6.1 operating systems.
"Customer needs vary. Some want the ease-of-use of Windows and greater
access to third-party applications, others want the reliability and
economics of Linux, while others need the incredible scalability of
our IRIX products," said Greg Goelz, vice president of workstations
and Intel processor-based servers for SGI. "Regardless of their requirements,
our customers agree that they want graphics capabilities and expertise
like only SGI can deliver and they want their hardware and customer
support to come from one vendor."
Bringing Differentiated Graphics Performance to Windows NT Users
In keeping with its graphics heritage, SGI has delivered a workstation
designed to meet the demanding needs of technical and creative professionals
in the digital content creation, computer-aided design, government,
medical and scientific research markets. SGI customers running Windows
NT can take immediate advantage of enhanced performance on these new
systems.
"We are extremely impressed with the image processing performance
of SGI's new visual workstations," said Steven Huff, chairman
for Sensor Systems. "Sensor Systems' Remote View software on SGI's
next-generation Windows NT platform allows users to roam smoothly across
gigabyte-size images with excellent image quality. With this performance,
our customers will be able to view and manipulate satellite-based images
like never before."
First Linux Workstation Optimized for Graphics
The family is the company's first workstation offering for Linux users,
and the industry's first workstation designed from the ground-up to
accelerate OpenGL 3D graphics in hardware on the Linux operating system.
To date, many developers have waited to port their graphics applications
to Linux due to minimal OpenGL driver support. By providing hardware
acceleration for OpenGL graphics on a high-performance Linux workstation
platform, SGI systems provide an ideal platform for graphics software
developers and users.
"Linux has lacked a well-integrated 3D graphics API, so the platform
should benefit from the availability of optimized OpenGL graphics,"
said Pia Rieppo, principal analyst for workstations at Dataquest,
a Gartner Group company. "Optimized OpenGL graphics should have a
positive impact on the availability of third-party applications for
the Linux OS, enabling graphics workstation users to take advantage
of the reliability and cost-savings of the Linux operating system."
"SGI's new systems provide an excellent platform for creative and
technical professionals in both the Windows NT and Linux environments,"
said Tom Copeland, Vice President, Workstations and High Performance
Systems for IDC. "In addition, the optimized OpenGL implementation
for Linux provides an excellent environment for developers of new Linux
applications."
"As the first high-end 3D animation software developer to port its
product to Linux, Side Effects Software is very pleased to see SGI enter
into the Linux graphics market with the 230 workstation," stated
Paul Salvini, chief technology officer, Side Effects Software.
"Their decision to provide graphics hardware acceleration for Linux
is good news not only for our Houdini users, but for the graphics industry
at large."
Expanding into New Markets
The Silicon Graphics 230 workstation, priced from $2,725 (U.S. list),
brings SGI graphics to an expanded user base. This new low price point,
coupled with the company's strong support for the Linux operating system,
allows greater access to the company's best-in-class technology. As
a result, SGI systems can be used in new markets such as electronic
design automation (EDA) and software development. The company has forged
close working relationships with industry-leading EDA developers to
optimize the industry's most pervasive electronic design applications
for its platform.
"SGI's work to advance the capabilities of Linux will be welcomed
by the EDA community," said Manoj Gandhi, vice president
and general manager of the Verification Technology Group at Synopsys.
"Furthermore, Synopsys' full flow of verification products, including
our industry leading VCS simulator, running on the 230 workstation provide
outstanding performance for customers who face shrinking time-to-market
windows."
SGI Experts Provide Full Support, Service for Broad Product Line
The new workstations complement one of the industry's broadest and most
scalable product offerings on the market today. SGI now offers desktop
workstations, servers and supercomputers based on Linux, Microsoft Windows
and the SGI(TM) IRIX(R) operating systems. When combined with the company's
extensive direct service and support, the products will enable customers
to streamline their purchasing and MIS processes.
The Benefits of the New SGI Workstation Family
The new family brings the following benefits to technical and creative professionals:
-- Unrivaled System Performance. The workstations ship with either single
or dual Intel Pentium III or Pentium III Xeon processors, a 133 MHz front-side bus, up to 2 GB of main memory and up to 90GB of internal hard disk space.
-- Unrivaled Graphics Performance. Also announced today, the company will offer a new cross-platform graphics family, called VPro, that ships first on the company's Windows and Linux workstations. VPro graphics on the Silicon Graphics 230, 330 and 550 workstations offer up to 64 MB of high-speed double data rate (DDR) graphics memory. The systems deliver geometry performance over 17 million triangles* per second and up to 540 megapixels per second, allowing for improved realism and interactivity of large 3D models.
-- Expandability. SGI has designed the system to accommodate the demanding needs of technical and creative professionals today and in the future. The systems can be expanded to provide up to 90GB of internal hard disk space, critical to users of large files. In addition, the systems provide slots for multiple PCI-, PS2- or USB-based peripherals. 300 or 450 watt power supplies ensure ample power to drive multiple CPUs, graphics and I/O devices such as video cards, audio cards and high-speed networking cards. Finally, the family has been designed to take advantage of future advancements in graphics and processor technology such as AGP (accelerated graphics port) Pro 4x and next-generation Intel processors.
-- Intelligent Design of the System. The system allows for tool-less access and service. Patented drive sleds enable drives to be easily upgraded and serviced. The system also features a looped-locking and key-lock chassis to keep hardware secure.
-- Flexibility. SGI will ship pre-loaded with Windows or Linux, as well as without an operating system. As a result, customers can be up and running in minutes, while SGI's channel partners can configure and customize systems depending on their unique requirements.
Pricing
and Availability
The
workstation family will be priced from $2,725 (U.S. List). The Silicon
Graphics 230 is shipping now, the Silicon Graphics 330 and the Silicon
Graphics 550 are expected to ship later this quarter. For additional
information on specific configurations, please go to http://www.sgi.com/products/hw-workstations.html
.
About SGI
SGI provides a broad range of high-performance computing and advanced
graphics solutions that enable customers to understand and conquer their
toughest computing problems. Headquartered in Mountain View, Calif.,
with offices worldwide, the company is located on the Web at www.sgi.com.
* Geometry performance based on 5 pixel, smooth shaded, Z-buffered triangles.
SOURCE Silicon Graphics, Inc.
CO: Silicon Graphics, Inc.
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