SGI Visual Workstation
| Company type | Product line |
|---|---|
| Industry | Computer hardware |
| Predecessor | SGI MIPS-based workstations |
| Founder | Silicon Graphics, Inc. (SGI) |
| Products | Workstation computers (Visual Workstation 230, 320, 330, 540, 550) |
| Parent | Silicon Graphics, Inc. (SGI) |
SGI Visual Workstation represents a lineup of workstation computers developed and produced by SGI. Diverging from SGI’s customary 64-bit MIPS RISC platforms, this series utilized Intel Pentium II, Pentium III, and Xeon CPUs, operating on Windows NT 4.0 or Windows 2000 instead of SGI’s proprietary IRIX. The Visual Workstation 320 and 540 models distinguished themselves from typical IBM PC designs by incorporating SGI’s ARCS firmware rather than a conventional BIOS, alongside unique components derived from MIPS-based systems. This architecture rendered them incompatible with standard PC hardware and prevented installation of other Windows editions, notably Windows 9x. Later iterations adopted conventional PC designs, featuring VIA Technologies chipsets, Nvidia graphics cards, and standard parts.
Computer architecture
The Visual Workstation series includes two distinct groups built around Intel processors. The initial group (models 320 and 540) integrated SGI’s ARCloader PROM and the Cobalt video chipset; subsequent versions were essentially off-the-shelf PCs.
Models 320 and 540 utilized a Unified Memory Architecture (UMA), enabling system and video memory to operate at identical speeds. This design allowed up to 80% of the RAM to be dedicated to video memory through static configuration profiles. Both systems employed the onboard Cobalt proprietary graphics card and firmware that supported graphical boot sequences prior to OS startup, akin to SGI’s Irix/MIPS machines such as the SGI O2.
These workstations featured FireWire (IEEE 1394) ports, integrated composite/S-video capture capabilities, and USB interfaces for keyboard and mouse. The 320 model accommodated dual Pentium II/III processors with a maximum of 1GB RAM; the 540 supported quad Pentium III Xeon CPUs with up to 2GB RAM. Both utilized proprietary DIMM modules resembling ECC SDRAM PC-100 but physically smaller—half the usual size—with each module maxing out at 96MB; the 320 contained twelve memory slots. Notably, FireWire ports on the 320 were non-operational; instead of repairing these, SGI provided Orange Micro FireWire expansion cards.
The PCI slots on the 320 and 540 operated at voltages of 3.3V rather than the more common 5V, including two slots running at 66 MHz and one at 33 MHz, which limited compatibility with many peripherals.
Later Visual Workstation models aimed to compete in the Intel-based workstation market by offering more cost-effective solutions built from standard PC components widely available in the aftermarket.
Operating system
Initially, the Visual Workstation 320 and 540 shipped with Microsoft’s Windows NT 4.0, requiring a specialized Hardware Abstraction Layer (HAL) due to their use of ARCloader PROM. Windows 2000 was the final Windows release supporting the SGI-specific HAL; subsequent versions such as XP were not compatible since SGI discontinued support for this product line.
Models 230, 330, and 550 also supported Windows NT and Windows 2000, with some units optionally pre-installed with release 6.2 of the Red Hat Linux distribution, indicated by an "L" suffix.
In graphics-intensive or memory-demanding applications, Visual Workstations frequently surpassed similarly equipped Intel PCs owing to SGI’s hardware enhancements, particularly in the earlier 320 and 540 models. Nevertheless, upgrading these workstations was often less economical compared to acquiring higher-specification non-SGI PCs because of their costly proprietary components.
Displays and compatible monitors
Every Visual Workstation accommodates traditional CRT monitors through VGA ports. Models 230, 330, and 550, which come with Nvidia Quadro graphics cards, additionally offer DVI support. The SGI 320 and 540 were bundled with the distinctive and aesthetically coordinated 1600SW LCD panel, connected via an OpenLDI interface that necessitates a flat panel adapter; the SGI O2 can also utilize this display when paired with an appropriate adapter.
Models and configurations
The lineup of Visual Workstations includes the following variants:
- Visual Workstation 320 – Dual Pentium II/III (Slot 1)
- Visual Workstation 540 – Quad Pentium II/III Xeon (Slot 2)
- Visual Workstation 230/230L – Single Pentium III (FCPGA Socket 370)
- Visual Workstation 330/330L – Dual Pentium II/III (FCPGA Socket 370)
- Visual Workstation 550/550L – Dual Pentium III Xeon (Slot 2)
Initially, these systems featured single or dual (SMP) Pentium II/III CPUs. The 540 and 550 models extended support to Xeon processors—up to four Xeons in SMP configuration for the 540 and two for the 550. Officially, no Visual Workstation was released with a CPU speed surpassing 700 MHz; however, some enthusiasts have implemented modifications enabling higher-frequency processors.
The SGI 320 is capable of running dual 1 GHz Pentium III CPUs or a lone 1.4 GHz Celeron using specific server-class processors and compatible motherboard revisions. For single-processor upgrades, a Powerleap Pl-iP3T "slocket" adapter allows straightforward installation of a Tualatin-core 1.4 GHz Celeron.
User reports suggest that the SGI 540 can accommodate up to four Xeon CPUs at 900 MHz—the highest-speed Pentium III Xeons compatible with its 100 MHz front side bus.
The models 230, 330, and 550 essentially represent standard PC architectures of their time, sharing typical upgrade paths: the 230 and 330 utilize VIA chipsets with Socket 370 processors and SDRAM memory; the 550 employs Slot 2 Xeons alongside the Intel 840 chipset paired with RDRAM. These systems incorporate Nvidia AGP Quadro graphics cards that differ from aftermarket Quadro GPUs due to distinct driver support.