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Manufacturer | Silicon Graphics, Inc. |
---|---|
Release date | 1996 |
Discontinued | June 27, 2003 |
Operating system | IRIX 6.4 or 6.5 |
CPU | MIPS architecture |
Graphics | Reality and InfiniteReality |
Predecessor | Onyx |
Successor | Onyx 3000 |
Website | sgi |
The Onyx2, code name Kego, is a family of visualization systems developed and manufactured by SGI, introduced in 1996 to succeed the Onyx. The Onyx2's basic system architecture is based on the Origin 2000 servers, but with the inclusion of graphics hardware. In 2000, the Onyx2 was succeeded by the Onyx 3000, and it was discontinued on June 27, 2003. These systems run either IRIX 6.4 or 6.5.
Model | # of CPUs | Memory | # of graphics pipelines | Chassis | Introduced | Discontinued |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Onyx2 Deskside | 1 to 4 | 128 MB to 8 GB | 1 | Deskside | ? | June 27, 2003 |
Onyx2 Single Rack | 2 to 8 | 128 MB to 16 GB | 1 or 2 | Single rack | ? | June 27, 2003 |
Onyx2 Multi-Rack | 4 to 128 | 256 MB to 256 GB | 1 to 16 | Multi Rack | ? | June 27, 2003 |
The Onyx2 uses the MIPS R10000 microprocessor clocked at 150, 175, 180 and 195 MHz, later increased to 250 MHz, courtesy of a process shrink from 0.35 to 0.25 micrometers. Later 300 and 400 MHz R12000, and 500 MHz R14000 CPUs were made available.
At the time of their introduction, the Onyx2 could be configured with the Reality, InfiniteReality, or InfiniteReality2 graphics subsystems. Later, the InfiniteReality2E was made available and then the InfiniteReality3, in April 2000.
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InfiniteReality refers to a 3D graphics hardware architecture and a family of graphics systems that implemented the aforementioned hardware architecture that was developed and manufactured by Silicon Graphics from 1996 to 2005. The InfiniteReality was positioned as Silicon Graphics' high-end visualization hardware for their MIPS/IRIX platform and was used exclusively in their Onyx family of visualization systems, which are sometimes referred to as "graphics supercomputers" or "visualization supercomputers". The InfiniteReality was marketed to and used by large organizations such as companies and universities that are involved in computer simulation, digital content creation, engineering and research.
RealityEngine is a 3D graphics hardware architecture and a family of graphics systems which was developed and manufactured by Silicon Graphics during the early to mid 1990s. RealityEngine was positioned as the company's high-end visualization hardware for its MIPS/IRIX platform. RealityEngine is designed for deployment exclusively within the company's Crimson and Onyx family of visualization systems, which are sometimes referred to as "graphics supercomputers" or "visualization supercomputers". The RealityEngine was marketed to large organizations, such as companies and universities that are involved in computer simulation, digital content creation, engineering and research.