SGI Crimson

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SGI Crimson

The IRIS Crimson, code named Diehard2, is a Silicon Graphics (SGI) computer released in the early 1990s. It was the world's first 64-bit workstation.

Crimson was a member of Silicon Graphics's SGI IRIS 4D series of deskside systems; it was also known as the 4D/510 workstation. It was similar to other SGI IRIS 4D deskside workstations, and could utilise a wide range of graphics options (up to RealityEngine). It was also available as a file server with no graphics.

This machine made a brief cameo in the movie Jurassic Park where the character named Lex uses the machine to navigate the IRIX filesystem in 3D using the application FSN in order to restore power to the compound. The year following the film's release, Silicon Graphics released a rebadged, limited edition Crimson R4400/VGXT called the "Jurassic Classic", which included a special logo and featured SGI co-founder Jim Clark's signature on the drive door.

[edit] Features

One superpipelined MIPS 100 MHz R4000 or 150 MHz R4400 processor;
Choice of seven high performance 3D graphics subsystems deliver performance and features to match any application;
Up to 256 MB memory and internal disk capacity up to 7.2 GB, expandable to greater than 72 GB using additional enclosures.
High performance I/O subsystem includes four VME expansion slots, Ethernet and two SCSI channels with disk striping support.