Write a commentDEC VAX 9000
Supercomputer
| Company: | DEC |
| Introduction: | 1989 |
| Maximum memory size: | 512MB |
| Maximum number of CPUs: | 4 |
| has artefact: | DEC VAX 9000 MCU (Multi-Chip Unit) |
| has artefact: | DEC VAX 9000 Commemorative hologram |
| has artefact: | DEC VAX 9000 Desk organizer |
| has artefact: | DEC VAX 9000 Roll of "Product of the Year" stickers |
| Computer root: | Computer |
| System class: | Supercomputer |
DEC VAX 9000 in the collection.
Photos
The VAX 9000 (codename "Aquarius" for the water-cooled variant or "Aridus" for the air-cooled variant) was an ECL implementation of the VAX architecture, positioned as a mainframe, or, with the optional vector processors installed, as a supercomputer, supporting up to 4 processors.
Artefacts
DEC VAX 9000 Commemorative hologram
DEC VAX 9000 Commemorative hologram
| Company: | DEC |
| artefact for: | DEC VAX 9000 |
| Merchandise root: | Merchandise |
| Merchandise type: | Chip-based |
| Count: | 1 |
| Acquired in: | 2014 acquisition from Sue Skonetski |
| Location: | Collection / House / Office |
Photos
This hologram has been attached to an HDSC; on the back of the HDSC, the copper/nickel baseplate can be seen, with its characteristic chip site cutouts.
DEC VAX 9000 Desk organizer
DEC VAX 9000 Desk organizer
| Company: | DEC |
| artefact for: | DEC VAX 9000 |
| Merchandise root: | Merchandise |
| Merchandise type: | Deskset |
| Count: | 1 |
| Acquired in: | 2014 acquisition from Sue Skonetski |
| Location: | Collection / House / Office |
Photos
DEC VAX 9000 MCU (Multi-Chip Unit)
DEC VAX 9000 MCU (Multi-Chip Unit)
| Company: | DEC |
| artefact for: | DEC VAX 9000 |
| Component root: | Component |
| Component type: | Chip |
| Count: | 1 |
| Acquired in: | 2012 acquisition from Sue Skonetski |
| Location: | Collection / Unknown |
Photos
The CPU was implemented with 13 of these MCU's; each MCU contains a number of Motorola ECL macrocell arrays; the optional vector processor occupied 3 more MCA's. All 16 MCU's plugged into a 4 x 4 MCU planar module, measuring 63.5cm (25") on each side. The macro-cell arrays are put on a High-Density Signal Carrier (HDSC), built using wafer-fab technology, and consisting of 9 copper layers (4 power, 5 signal), separated by thin polyimide layers, and laminated onto a copper/nickel baseplate.
The chip in the center of the MCU is the clock distribution chip; surrounding it are 7 macrocell arrays, and 9 RAM chips. The pin fins on the back indicate that this module came from an air-cooled ("Aridus") system. A water-cooled MCU would have had attachment sites for water hoses here.
DEC VAX 9000 Roll of "Product of the Year" stickers
DEC VAX 9000 Roll of "Product of the Year" stickers
| Company: | DEC |
| artefact for: | DEC VAX 9000 |
| Merchandise root: | Merchandise |
| Merchandise type: | Sticker |
| Count: | 1 |
| Acquired in: | 2014 acquisition from Sue Skonetski |
| Location: | Collection / House / Office |
