Price
as configured:
$7,118/$4,624 (with/without monitor)
Capsule review: Although not the hottest 3D renderer around,
2D graphics are very hot and come with built-in video capabilities.
The digital flatscreen monitor is awesome.
Company Contact: http://www.sgi.com
The SGI 320 isn't
likely to be mistaken for a simple NT-based clone. Although it is built
largely around the same technology found in other Intel-based workstations,
the 320 is crammed with differences both subtle and striking.
At first glance,
the highly stylized and sculpted case will strike most people as an
obvious difference. However, with the optional 1600SW digital flat panel
display included in our review system, many people don't even notice
the computer. The display is breathtakingly gorgeous. Colors are vibrant,
deep, and sharp. Flicker is visually non-existent, and even from the
sides, the image is crisp and bright. Switching to a standard CRT monitor
is as simple as shutting the system down and swapping connections. On
bootup, the system recognizes the active connection and makes the adjustments.
Yet, even
as striking as the case and flat panel display are, they are not what
make the 320 truly special. The dual CPU-capable system we reviewed
was built around a single 550MHz Intel Pentium III CPU loaded with 256MB
RAM, not an uncommon, or even especially noteworthy configuration. It
is how the system utilizes that RAM, the CPU, and the SGI Cobalt graphics
chipset that really sets it apart.
Unlike most
other NT-based systems, the 320 utilizes a common RAM architecture where
system RAM can be allocated to the graphics subsystem. The unique boot
sequence of the 320 includes a screen enabling you to adjust how much
RAM is allocated to graphics and how much to Windows NT. With a maximum
capability of 1GB, you can allocate as much as 900MB RAM for display
usage. This arrangement provides more than simply a large pool of texture
RAM, it also delivers extreme speed.
The 320's
internal pipeline between the Cobalt graphics and system RAM is at 3.2GB/second.
The pipeline out to the display is 1.6GB/second, as is the pipeline
to SGI's proprietary I/O co-processor. Current 2X AGP speeds are limited
to 512MB/second and even the next generation 4X AGP will only run at
1GB/second. Data flow other than graphics has also been enhanced. The
320 features two PCI buses, one standard 32-bit and the other a high-speed
64-bit version. Additionally, the system has a IEEE 1394 400MB port.
The various data subsystems are all tied together across the main 3.2GB/second
pipeline resulting in high sustainable transfers with fewer data collisions.
The results
of SGI's advanced architecture are obvious as soon as you begin experimenting
with the included graphics demo programs. In one demo, you can load
a high resolution bitmap image, then distort it in real-time with 3D-style
effects such as ripple and stretch. You can perform the same effects
on live video feeds and even map images and live video onto a rotating
3D object and perform those effects without bringing the system to its
knees. According to SGI, with a second CPU installed, the system bandwidth
can accommodate multiple streams of uncompressed NTSC or PAL format
video without taxing the system.
Video capabilities
are an integral component of the 320. In addition to integrated audio
and networking, the system comes standard with both component and S-video
in and out jacks. Connecting a video source for capture or output is
as simple as plugging in the cables. SGI offers the 320 in a variety
of configurations, as well as custom packages. Our system included a
10.1GB Ultra ATA hard disk and an IDE CD-ROM player. SCSI drive systems
are optional. Expansion capabilities are good, especially considering
the depth of the integrated feature set. Three PCI slots, a 3.5-inch
external drive bay, and two internal bays are available. Access to the
motherboard and expansion slots is good, although you'll need to remove
the quick-disconnect power supply for full motherboard access. The keyboard
and mouse are both USB devices, so in order to connect other USB peripherals
you'll need a hub or port expander.
The 320 we
benchmarked was configured with a single Intel processor. As expected,
the system performed poorly on our rendering tests, taking approximately
twice as long as a dual-CPU system at the same speed. However, in the
OpenGL tests, the system did much better. The ProCDRS-01 score of 15.26
was very respectable, but in the Indy3D benchmarks the 320 excelled.
Strangely, the results for the simpler Indy3D tests were merely good,
but the more complicated benchmarks yielded results rivaling the best
performers we've ever tested.
The SGI 320
is truly a unique graphics workstation. If you work with video, 2D,
and 3D OpenGL graphics, the 320's outstanding versatility and high-bandwidth
capabilities make it an excellent choice. And as strange as it is to
write this, one of the best reasons to buy an SGI 320 is its affordable
pricing.
Benchmark
Results
ProCDRS-01 : 15.26
Indy3D
: MCAD40:
16.30; MCAD150 5.48; Animation: 15.79; Simulation: 29.37; Primitives:
fill-129.38; fixed-37698; polygon-1053331.63
