Stardent Computer Inc has added a new low-end desktop series and additional high-end machines in its graphics minisupercomputer line. The new systems are built around technology derived from the former Stellar side of the company but offer source-code compatibility with the entire Stardent range, and binary-compatibility with the 3000 Titan Series from the Ardent side of the house. On the desktop, the Stardent 500 Stilettos use 32MHz versions of MIPS Computer Systems’ R3000 RISC chip, each with a tightly-coupled Intel 80860 RISC part acting as a vector co-processor. Each processor is rated by Stardent at 32 MIPS and 48 MFLOPS giving an overall performance of 64 MIPS and 96 MFLOPS. They run version 3 of the Application Visualisation System graphics subsystem from the Stellar side of the company this uses two 80860s for three-dimensional colour pixel and polygon processing – but also support Ardent’s three-dimensional graphics library Dore – Dynamic Object Rendering Environment. They are claimed to perform 190,000 three-dimensional vectors, and 40,000 100-pixel gouraud-shaded triangles operations per second. Running a version of AT&T’s Unix V.3 and the PHIGS+ graphics standard, each is said to run all software currently available on the current 3000 series. Stilettos are available in one- and two-processor desktop and server configurations with Ethernet, UltraNet, Network File Systemn TCP/IP and DECnet, starting at $18,000 for a single-processor diskless OEM version, going to $70,000 for a fully-configured dual-processor model. A 16Mb uniprocessor with 250Mb disk and 16 colour monitor is $39,000. Stardent says more than 175 Stilettos have already been ordered by 20 of its current customers, including GEC Plc’s Picker International, which will use them as the basis of what it describes as the world’s first medical imaging supercomputer. The Stardent 3000VS Series Visualisation Systems are essentially the Ardent-based 3000 systems running Stellar’s VX graphics subsystem, using the same 32MHz MIPS R3000 part, available in one to four processor configurations, offering a top-end performance of 128 MFLOPS going from $100,000 to $300,000. They are available as upgrades to existing 3000 system users for $30,000. Stardent has also signed marketing agreements with a number of software houses to provide additional software on the new machines. Visix Software Inc’s Looking Glass user interface costs $2,500 – $500 on the Stilettos – along with UltraNetwork Technologies’ UltraNet fast networking. Ingres will be offered on the 3000 from December – on the 500 in the first quarter of next year – along with Unify’s database on the 3000.
