---------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Florida SunFlash GX and GXplus SunFLASH Vol 31 #22 July 1991 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- - New GXplus graphics accelerator - GX features and acceleration plus 1280x1024 high resolution and hardware double buffering - New single-SBus slot GX accelerator - GX integrated on the SPARCstation IPX CPU board as the standard framebuffer - New GX/Monitor X-options - Multiple accelerated heads now supported - Upgrade from double SBus slot GX to single slot GX available - Improved performance over the current GX 480K 2-D vectors/second; 310K 3-D vectors/second ANNOUNCEMENT BRIEF ------------------ The new GXplus is a graphics accelerator that delivers: - 1280x1024 higher resolution display support - Hardware double buffering for smooth animation In a double SBus slot, the GXplus offers the above features along with all of the performance enhancements found in the new single SBus slot GX. Single SBus Slot GX: The world's best selling graphics accelerator just got better. The single SBus slot GX offers improved performance in a smaller form factor. The new GX is available on the enhanced SPARCstation 2 configurations and the GX/Monitor X-option and the UG4/6XC-GX and UG4/6XC-GX upgrades. SPARCstation IPX: Sun is redefining the entry level color workstation by offering the new GX built onto the CPU board of the SPARCstation IPX. Every SPARCstation IPX ships with GX acceleration standard, making every SPARCstation IPX workstation an accelerated workstation. This is accomplished without using any SBus slots. GX/Monitor Options: New on the price list is the combination of the single-slot GX packaged with a 16" or 19" monitor as an option. Many applications require the ability to run multiple monitor heads. GX upgrades: A double-SBus-slot to single-SBus slot GX upgrade is available. Use of this upgrade frees up one additional SBus slot in existing GX based system. NEW FEATURES AND BENEFITS ------------------------- New Features Benefits ----------------------------------------------------------------------- GXplus ====== 1280x1024@67Hz refresh * Increased screen area for financial market applications * Meets government-mandated screen area requirements for select applications, particularly in U.S. Hardware double buffering * Smooth animation of complex images Off-Screen Memory * Fast screen-to-screen image storage and copy (bitblts) of frequently used pixel images such as menus Accelerates 2-D and 3-D * Allows direct, interactive manipulation wireframe and 2-D solids: of complex graphical models 480,000 2-D vectors/second 310,000 3-D vectors/second Accelerates text, scrolling * Fast performance of all graphics and windowing operations including all the commonly used windowing operations * Improved OpenWindows performance Compatible with all Sun`s * Delivers transparent application Graphics libraries: Xlib, acceleration PostScript, XGL, SunGKS, SunPHIGS, SunVision ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Single SBus Slot GX =================== Single SBus slot design * Frees up an additional SBus expansion slot Improved 2-D and 3-D * Superior graphics and window acceleration: performance at no additional cost 480,000 2-D vectors/second 310,000 3-D vectors/second 76Hz Refresh rate * Higher refresh for flicker free display Binary compatible with * Transparent application acceleration older GX's ------------------------------------------------------------------------- SPARCstation IPX ================ GX built onto the CPU board * Accelerated GX now the default framebuffer on every SPARCstation IPX system * No SBus slots required for the framebuffer Improved 2-D and 3-D * Superior graphics, windowing and acceleration: scrolling performance at no 480,000 2-D vectors/second additional charge 310,000 3-D vectors/second Binary compatible with SBus * Transparent application acceleration based GX ------------------------------------------------------------------------- GX/Monitor options ================== Bundled GX/monitor options * Easy configuration of multi-headed solutions Both 16" and 19" options * Flexibility to tailor to customer needs * Up to three heads on SPARCstation 2 and SPARCstation IPX ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Upgrades ======== Double-SBus slot to * For existing GX customers who require single-SBus slot GX Upgrade maximum SBus expansion slots ------------------------------------------------------------------------- HARDWARE & SOFTWARE CONSIDERATIONS ---------------------------------- SPARCstation 2 GXplus: ====================== 1) Requires SunOS 4.1.1 or higher (installed on SPARCstation 2) and GFX-4.1.1-01 (this software will automatically ship with the system). 2) Available only in the enhanced SPARCstation 2 with the 19" trinitron color monitor configuration. 3) OpenWindows Version 2 supports 1280x1024@67Hz on the GXplus today! Hardware double buffering and off-screen memory require the next release of OpenWindows. This is an OpenWindows only product. SunView is not supported. 4) GXplus requires 2 SBus slots. Single Slot GX: =============== 1) Requires SunOS 4.0.3 or higher. 2) Available on the enhanced SPARCstation 2 configurations only (e.g. 4/75FGX-32-P43 or 4/75GX-32-P43). The existing SPARCstation 2 (e.g. 4/75FGX-16-P40 or 4/75GX-16-P40) and all IPC GX configurations will continue to ship with the double-SBus slot GX. Also available in the new GX/Monitor X-option and through the double slot to single slot GX upgrade. 3) Backward compatible with older GX's including SPARCstation 1, SPARCstation 1+, SPARCstation IPC, SPARCstation IPX, and SPARCstation 2. SPARCstation IPX: ================= 1) Each SPARCstation IPX system will ship with SunOS 4.1.1 revB and an IPX Supplement software tape and CD. The software insures that all graphics software will be compatible with the new, integrated GX graphics accelerator. GX/Monitor options ================== 1) Requires SunOS 4.1.1 or higher 2) Requires GFX-4.1.1-01 in order to run diagnostics on the second or third head. (Must be ordered separately) 3) Up to three heads maximum on both SPARCstation 2 and SPARCstation IPX. 4) Not backward compatible with the SPARCstation IPC, SPARCstation 1, or SPARCstation 1+. The PROMs in these systems will not support multiple GX configurations. Double-SBus Slot to single-SBus Slot GX Upgrade =============================================== 1) Requires SunOS 4.0.3 or higher. U.S. PRICING AND ORDERING INSTRUCTIONS -------------------------------------- The End-User and OEM price lists will contain the following entries (please see the actual price list for specific product notes): Discount Same Day Description Order Number List Price Category Service Price ========================================================================== SPARCstation 2 -------------- Single Slot GX -------------- GX 8-BIT ACCELERATED 2-D/3-D GRAPHICS WORKSTATIONS: 16" color monitor, 32-MByte, 424MB Internal SCSI Disk, 1.44MB 3-1/2" Internal Floppy Disk 4/75FGX-32-P43 $18,495 A $140 19" color monitor, 32-MByte, 424MB Internal SCSI Disk, 1.44MB 3-1/2" Internal Floppy Disk 4/75GX-32-P43 $20,495 A $140 GXplus ------ GXplus HIGH RESOLUTION and DOUBLE BUFFERED GRAPHICS WORKSTATIONS With GX ACCELERATION: 19" color monitor, 32-MByte, 424MB Internal SCSI Disk, 1.44MB 3-1/2" Internal Floppy Disk 4/75GX2-32-P43 $22,495 A $140 =============================================================================== SPARCstation IPX ---------------- GX, 8-BIT ACCELERATED 2-D/3-D GRAPHICS WORKSTATIONS: 17" Greyscale monitor, 16-MByte 207MB SCSI internal disk 1.44MB 3-1/2" internal floppy disk 4/50FMX-16-P40 $11,995 A $100 19" Greyscale monitor, 16-MByte 207MB SCSI internal disk 1.44MB 3-1/2" internal floppy disk 4/50MX-16-P40 $12,795 A $100 16" Color monitor, 16-MByte 207MB SCSI internal disk 1.44MB 3-1/2" internal floppy disk 4/50FGX-16-P40 $13,495 A $130 19" Color monitor, 16-MByte 207MB SCSI internal disk 1.44MB 3-1/2" internal floppy disk 4/50GX-16-P40 $15,495 A $130 =============================================================================== Country Kits ------------ Append the "W" suffix to the Country Kit Order Numbers for SPARCsystem 2 Country Kits. Append the "U" suffix to the Country Kit Order Numbers for SPARCstation IPX Country Kits. =============================================================================== Second Monitors: ---------------- Note: For use outside the US, order a power cord from the "Accessories" section of the Price List. 16" Color Monitor, GX Framebuffer, cables X356W $6,000 A $70 (X356U for IPX) 19" Color Monitor, GX Framebuffer, cables X355W $8,000 A $70 (X355U for IPX) * Append "V4" to the order number (e.g. X356UV4) for 240V operation. GFX SOFTWARE ------------ GFX-4.1.1-01 N/C N/D N/C =============================================================================== Upgrades -------- For a double-wide to single-wide GX accelerator upgrade, use the following: GX Upgrades ----------- Unaccelerated UG4/6XC-GX $3,000 A $0 color/double-wide GX to single-wide GX ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ For information send mail to info-sunflash@sunvice.East.Sun.COM. Subscription requests should be sent to sunflash-request@sunvice.East.Sun.COM. Archives are on solar.nova.edu and paris.cs.miami.edu. All prices, availability, and other statements relating to Sun or third party products are valid in the U.S. only. Please contact your local Sales Representative for details of pricing and product availability in your region. Descriptions of, or references to products or publications within SunFlash does not imply an endorsement of that product or publication by Sun Microsystems. In the US, use 1-800-USA-4-SUN to locate your local sales office, for hardware and software support, and telemarketing (SunEXPRESS). John McLaughlin, SunFlash editor, flash@sunvice.East.Sun.COM. (305) 776-7770.