IBM POWER GT4I AND POWER GT4XI GRAPHICS ADAPTERS Announcement Letter Number 193-274 dated September 21, 1993 US - Last Revised on September 21, 1993 Brief Description of Announcement, Charges, and Availability The POWER Gt4i and POWER Gt4xi Graphics Adapters replace the POWER Gt4 (TM) (24-bit) and POWER Gt4x (TM) (8-bit and 24-bit) adapters, respectively. These new adapters incorporate higher-speed graphics processors, yielding significantly enhanced three-dimensional (3D) performance. Function is identical to that provided by the POWER Gt4 (24-bit) and POWER Gt4x. In addition, the 24-bit POWER Gt4i adapter and the 24-bit POWER Gt4xi adapter require fewer Micro Channel (R) slots for installation in a RISC System/6000 (R) system. Each 24-bit graphics adapter requires only two Micro Channel slots, rather than the previous three-slot requirement, making 24-bit color function available on systems such as the POWERstation (TM) 355, POWERstation 365 and POWERstation 375. With increased performance and reduced slot requirements, the POWER Gt4i and POWER Gt4xi adapters provide enhanced graphics price/performance for a variety of graphics applications, including mechanical CAD, finite element analysis (FEA), architectural design and engineering analysis. Purchase Prices: POWER Gt4i (24-bit) $6,995 POWER Gt4xi (8-bit) 5,995 POWER Gt4xi (24-bit) 8,995 Planned Availability Date: November 5, 1993. (TM) Trademark of International Business Machines Corporation. (R) Registered trademark of International Business Machines Corporation. IN BRIEF . . . POWER GT4I (24-BIT) AND POWER GT4XI (8-BIT AND 24-BIT) ADAPTERS o Offer significantly better performance for the same price as the POWER Gt4 and Gt4x respectively o Reduce Micro Channel slot requirement to two slots for 24-bit color graphics function o Provide the same 3D functionality as the POWER Gt4 and Gt4x Adapters: - Support high resolution 1280 x 1024 displays - Support screen refresh rates of 60Hz and 77Hz - Include integrated floating point processors - 8-bit adapter supports display of 256 simultaneous colors - 24-bit adapters support two 24-bit frame buffers, allowing the display of approximately 16.7 million simultaneous colors - Provide a standard 24-bit Z-buffer - Support IBM monitors in ISO-compliant mode, including the new POWERdisplay 17 feature Customer Letter Section DESCRIPTION PERFORMANCE IMPROVEMENTS FOR 3D-COLOR GRAPHICS Three new graphics adapters, the 24-bit POWER Gt4i graphics adapter (#2713) and the 8-bit and 24-bit POWER Gt4xi graphics adapters (#2711 and #2712), boosting three-dimensional (3D) color graphics performance on RISC System/6000 systems are available. Identical in function to the POWER Gt4 and POWER Gt4x, respectively, the POWER Gt4i and POWER Gt4xi provide substantially better performance as measured by PLBsurf93 graphics benchmark (using graPHIGS (TM) API). For a detailed description of performance improvements using this and other benchmarks, refer to the 'GPC/PLB Graphics Performance' document available from your IBM representative. In addition, the 24-bit POWER Gt4i adapter and the 24-bit POWER Gt4xi adapter require fewer Micro Channel slots for installation in a RISC System/6000 system. Each 24-bit graphics adapter requires only two Micro Channel slots, rather than the previous three-slot requirement for 24-bit POWER Gt4 and POWER Gt4x. This change makes 24-bit color graphics function available on the POWERstation 355, POWERstation 365 and POWERstation 375. New select features on these systems make it possible to substitute the POWER Gt4i or POWER Gt4xi for the base graphics adapter when ordering new systems (for ordering details, refer to Hardware Announcement 193-275, dated September 21, 1993). The reduced slot requirement makes either adapter a more flexible option for customers who want to add 24-bit color graphics function to their existing configurations. Function in both the 24-bit POWER Gt4i adapter and 8-bit and 24-bit POWER Gt4xi adapters is identical to function on the POWER Gt4 and POWER Gt4x adapters. Both adapters support high-resolution 1280 x 1024 displays; both provide double 8- or 24-bit frame buffers that allow the display of 256 simultaneous colors (8-bit version) or approximately 16.7 million simultaneous colors (24-bit version) out of a palette of 16.7 million colors. Both graphics adapters provide advanced hardware functions, including a 24-bit Z-Buffer that assists with hidden line and surface removal. Both the POWER Gt4i and the POWER Gt4xi adapters continue to support IBM monitors that comply with Part 3 of the ISO 9241 ergonomic standard. Because the functionality of the POWER Gt4i and POWER Gt4xi remains the same as that of the POWER Gt4 and GT4x adapters, applications that require the POWER Gt4 or POWER Gt4x require no modifications to run on the POWER Gt4i or POWER Gt4xi, respectively. Further, tests previously performed using the POWER Gt4 or POWER Gt4x remain valid for the POWER Gt4i or POWER Gt4xi, with the exception of improved performance results. With increased performance and reduced slot requirements, the POWER Gt4i and POWER Gt4xi adapters offer a better price/performance ratio for a variety of graphics applications, including mechanical CAD, FEA, architectural design and engineering analysis. ENABLE CUSTOMER'S COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE Better performance and reduced slot requirements make the POWER Gt4i and POWER Gt4xi graphics adapters more competitive offerings for customers requiring 3D-color graphics function. OPEN ENTERPRISE: These adapters are designed to support IBM monitors that comply with Part 3 of the ISO 9241 ergonomic standard. APPLICATION PROGRAMMING INTERFACES (API) SUPPORTED: The POWER Gt4i and POWER Gt4xi support standard graphics application programming interfaces (API), including: o Xlib o graPHIGS o Graphics Library (GL) o PEX o GKS o OpenGL (requires AIXwindows (R) Environment/6000 Version 1.2.5). PRODUCT POSITIONING The enhanced performance of the 8-bit and 24-bit POWER Gt4xi Graphics Adapter is an attractive alternative to the POWER GTO (TM). In most circumstances, the POWER Gt4xi Graphics Adapter, both 8- and 24-bit versions, will provide 3D performance similar to that provided by the POWER GTO at a fraction of the cost. For specific benchmark results, refer to the 'GPC/PLB Graphics Performance' document, available from your IBM representative. The POWER GTO offers subpixel antialiasing, a function not available on the POWER Gt4i or POWER Gt4xi. For applications that require this capability, GTO remains the preferred solution. Customers who do not have current or future needs for 24-bit color should consider the 8-bit POWER Gt4xi adapter. Customers with a possible future requirement for 24-bit color should consider the 24-bit POWER Gt4xi. NOTE: A frame buffer upgrade between the 8-bit POWER Gt4xi and the 24-bit POWER Gt4xi is not available. Customers who require 24-bit color at a lower price point than the 24-bit POWER Gt4xi should consider the 24-bit POWER Gt4i. The POWER Gt4i adapter provides 24-bit color at a POWER Gt4e (TM)-level of performance. Finally, the POWER Gt4e replaces the 8-bit POWER Gt4 as the entry 3D color graphics adapter. It provides comparable performance at a lower price and requires only one Micro Channel slot. PUBLICATIONS There are no publications shipped with these products. Technical information regarding the POWER Gt4i and POWER Gt4xi adapters is included in the publications shipped with the RISC System/6000 units. TECHNICAL INFORMATION SPECIFIED OPERATING ENVIRONMENT MACHINE REQUIREMENTS: Each graphics adapter requires a supported RISC System/6000 POWERstation/POWERserver (TM) with a minimum of 16MB of system memory, two available Micro Channel slots per adapter and a supported monitor. NOTE: The POWER Gt4i and POWER Gt4xi support screen refresh rates of 60Hz and 77Hz (ISO-compliant monitors require a screen refresh rate of 77Hz). Both adapters are designed to support high-resolution 1280 X 1024 IBM displays (non-interlaced display mode). PROGRAMMING REQUIREMENTS: These adapters require the installation of the following software: o AIX (R) Version 3.2 for RISC System/6000 at the latest PMP (1) level at the time of hardware availability; o AIXwindows Environment/6000 Version 1.2 (including feature number 5051 for 3D function) at the latest PMP level at the time of hardware availability o Additional supporting software shipped with the hardware until included in the next formal release of AIX/6000. NOTE: Support for OpenGL function requires AIXwindows Environment/6000 Version 1.2.5 (for details, refer to Software Announcement 293-489, dated September 21, 1993). (1) PMP = Preventive Maintenance Package, a cumulative set of subsystem fixes available to customers through IBM Service. Customers who order AIX/6000 (TM) 3.2.5 will have the appropriate PMP level. LIMITATIONS: o A maximum of one POWER Gt4i adapter or POWER Gt4xi adapter may be installed in a system o OpenGL is supported via the SoftGraphics function of the 3D feature on AIXwindows Environment/6000 Version 1.2.5 (Refer to the PROGRAMMING REQUIREMENTS section for other software requirements) o POWER Gt4 and POWER Gt4x graphics adapters are not upgradeable to the POWER Gt4i and POWER Gt4xi adapters. o The POWER Gt4i Adapter is not upgradeable to the POWER Gt4xi Adapter. PLANNING INFORMATION CABLE ORDERS: No cables required. SECURITY, AUDITABILITY AND CONTROL This product uses the security and auditability features of RISC System/6000 hardware, software and/or application software. User management is responsible for evaluation, selection and implementation of security features, administrative procedures and appropriate controls in application systems and communications facilities. TERMS AND CONDITIONS FEATURE SECTION MES DISCOUNT APPLICABLE: The feature discount will be equal to the discount percent associated with the current volume commitment of the category of the machine type on which it is installed. FIELD INSTALLABLE FEATURE: Yes. WARRANTY PERIOD: One year. CUSTOMER SETUP: No. All other terms and conditions are the same as those applicable to the IBM RISC System/6000 system in which the feature is installed. CHARGES MINIMUM MAINTENANCE FEATURE FEATURE PURCHASE CHARGE REMOVAL DESCRIPTION NUMBER PRICE MONTHLY CHARGE RISC System/6000 POWERstation/server 7012, Model 320 32E, 32H, 340, 34H, 350, 355, 360, 365, 36T, 370, 375, 37T: POWER Gt4xi (8-bit) 2711 $5,995 $ 90 $116 RISC System/6000 POWERstation/server 7013, Models 520, 52H, 530, 53E, 53H, 540, 550, 55E, 55L, 55S, 560, 56F, 570 57F, 580, 58F, 590, 58H: POWER Gt4xi (8-bit) 2711 5,995 90 116 RISC System/6000 POWERstation/server 7012, Model 320 32E, 32H, 340, 34H, 350, 355, 360, 365, 36T, 370, 375, 37T: POWER Gt4i (24-bit) 2713 6,995 110 116 MINIMUM MAINTENANCE FEATURE FEATURE PURCHASE CHARGE REMOVAL DESCRIPTION NUMBER PRICE MONTHLY CHARGE RISC System/6000 POWERstation/server 7013, Models 520, 52H, 530, 53E, 53H, 540, 550, 55E, 55L, 55S, 560, 56F, 570 57F, 580, 58F, 590, 58H: POWER Gt4i (24-bit) 2713 6,995 110 116 RISC System/6000 POWERstation/server 7012, Model 320 32E, 32H, 340, 34H, 350, 355, 360, 365, 36T, 370, 375, 37T: POWER Gt4xi (24-bit) 2712 8,995 130 116 RISC System/6000 POWERstation/server 7013, Models 520, 52H, 530, 53E, 53H, 540, 550, 55E, 55L, 55S, 560, 56F, 570, 57F, 580, 58F, 590, 58H: POWER Gt4xi (24-bit) 2712 8,995 130 116