Will NT 4.0 finally pitch Intel Corp systems into graphics-heavy workstation application areas? Compaq Computer Corp seems to think so, with its new Workstation division planning Pentium Pro systems supplemented by graphics accelerators from Elsa Inc and Intergraph Computer Systems Inc (CI No 2,971). And now, at the Siggraph graphics event in New Orleans this week, NeTpower Inc has launched its new Symetra high-end family of dual Pentium Pro systems, using its own TrueFX accelerators. NeTpower , which recently ditched its MIPS RISC strategy to concentrate exclusively on Pentium Pro (CI No 2,854), will pitch the Symetra systems at the digital video industry, and reckons they rival all competitive three-dimensional graphics workstations, including Unix-based boxes. The machines use 200MHz Pentium Pros with 512Kb level two cache, can support up to 512Mb of Enhanced Data Output system memory and 4Gb fast and wide SCSI drives, and have concurrent PCI and Universal Serial buses to support future standards. For a promotional price of $7,000 you can have a base configuration with single processor, 32Mb memory, 1Gb SCSI, 2Mb of video RAM PCI graphics and a 17 monitor, but fully configured systems will cost around $26,000. They will be available next month. At Siggraph, NeTPower also introduced TrueFX three-dimensional texture-mapping graphics accelerators based on the latest Glint and Permedia graphics processors from 3DLabs Inc, with prices starting from $5 00. Ironically, NeTPower’s chief executive is none other than former MIPS Computer Systems Inc chief Bob Miller.
