hell yea!

some of us prefer dual-dpu systems.

got any pics?

I'd agree with @luckybob, there's something about dual setups which I've only begun to appreciate since joining vogons - the one you're describing sounds a bit like an old Intel ALTServer like the one in this thread What would you stick in this dual socket board?

I mean, I'd love to have it, but even the THOUGHT of shipping something that heavy from siberia to the middle of the US, sends chills down my spine.

PC Hoarder Patrol wrote on 2020-03-25, 08:02:

I'd agree with @luckybob, there's something about dual setups which I've only begun to appreciate since joining vogons - the one you're describing sounds a bit like an old Intel ALTServer like the one in this thread What would you stick in this dual socket board?

It looks exactly like that one 😀 I can't post pics at the moment, but I have a few on my main PC at home.

luckybob wrote on 2020-03-25, 08:31:

I mean, I'd love to have it, but even the THOUGHT of shipping something that heavy from siberia to the middle of the US, sends chills down my spine.

I'd be happy to give it to you or in fact any other forum member who can appreciate it better than me. Including the cassettes to play with 😀

RacoonRider wrote on 2020-03-25, 07:28:

A few years ago I got a pile of good hardware for free, including a Dual Socket 5 server. It has a huge 430NX motherboard equipp […]
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A few years ago I got a pile of good hardware for free, including a Dual Socket 5 server. It has a huge 430NX motherboard equipped with two 100MHz Pentiums, SCSI hard drives, a tape drive with a bunch of casettes, caddy loading CD-ROM, etc. All packed in gourgeous (and bulky!) Intel Comlubus chassis. It currently has FreeBSD installed, but I don't have the password to log in.

Anyway, it has been sitting in storage since 2014. As much as I admire the technology behind this beautiful piece of hardware, I don't see how I can ever put it to good use. Ever.

The point is, DOS and Windows 9x will not take advantage of two CPUs. Neptune chipset is going to drag the system down and Socket 5 means my CPU upgrade options are limited. Overall I estimate this beast to be on par in games with my 486 at 150 MHz.

Networking? It's loud, bulky and power-hungry. Even if it is capable of serving as an actual server hosting a small website or a shared folder, a modern router would do the job better at a fraction of the electricity bill.

General curiosity? I don't think so. I have way too many things I thought I would love to explore, still there they are. Sitting in the storage, ready for action and waiting for my attention... I need to learn to push myself to doing things I love.

What would you do if you were me? I could sell it online (good luck shipping 20kg from the middle of nowhere though), donate it to a computer museum if they would accept it (which I doubt they will), or put it to use if I find any (which I doubt I will).

If it was me, I'd try first taking a look at what's inside the hard drives. You never know what hidden jewels (or plain trash) can be found there. Also, from a practical standpoint, there is no reason to run this server as you well put it, however I also find these dual-CPU boards fascinating. Have you measured the actual power consumption of the beast? maybe it's not as bad as you think (yeah, right...) 😀 Finally, if everything fails, selling it by pieces could be an option. Those boards and working SCSI cards + drives seem to be worth a bit of money these days.

I have a single socket 430NX machine, though it's currently in pieces. It uses the Socrates motherboard.

Pics, from the day I got it:

The last one shows rotated even though if I view it from the PC it's not 🙁

If you take it apart I would appreciate detailed pictures of the hard drive cage. I am looking for one of these, and would like to get a clear idea of what to out look for.

Also, please tell me if you find any part numbers on it.

The ALTServer manual only mentions the six-drive hinged bay, but apparently there was a smaller four-drive bay as well (gets a breif mention in the chassis docs - probably for other board designs). Can't find numbers for it, but the six-drive one is supposedly Hard Drive Housing Assembly / 627164-004 / Spare order FRU627164

RacoonRider wrote on 2020-03-25, 17:21:

Pics, from the day I got it:

The last one shows rotated even though if I view it from the PC it's not 🙁

Exactly what I wanted to see today. Who needs free pornhub (https://www.pcmag.com/news/pornhub-premium-be … you-stay-inside), when you can just browse VOGONS.

@PC Hoarder Patrol - thanks that's a start

RacoonRider wrote on 2020-03-25, 17:21:

Pics, from the day I got it:

The last one shows rotated even though if I view it from the PC it's not 🙁

Very nice. I wonder how BeOS would work on such a system?

I'd absolutely love to add that thicc beast to my collection. I just with I had the funds to get it. I have very little E-ISA stuff to play with.

luckybob wrote on 2020-03-25, 22:29:

I'd absolutely love to add that thicc beast to my collection. I just with I had the funds to get it. I have very little E-ISA stuff to play with.

Really? No kidding 😜
Both RacoonRider and me agreed your definitely "Mr enterprise hardware king" round here.
Which SMP computers do you own? complete systems, don't have to be running but has to be complete. If we start getting down to motherboards I'm worried you'll max out the characters per post 😉

chinny22 wrote on 2020-03-26, 08:49:

Really? No kidding :P Both RacoonRider and me agreed your definitely "Mr enterprise hardware king" round here. Which SMP comput […]
Show full quote

luckybob wrote on 2020-03-25, 22:29:

I'd absolutely love to add that thicc beast to my collection. I just with I had the funds to get it. I have very little E-ISA stuff to play with.

Really? No kidding 😜
Both RacoonRider and me agreed your definitely "Mr enterprise hardware king" round here.
Which SMP computers do you own? complete systems, don't have to be running but has to be complete. If we start getting down to motherboards I'm worried you'll max out the characters per post 😉

I think if luckybob is going to post that - he needs to make a new thread .. Pleeeease, luckybob, do it .. 😀

Errius wrote on 2020-03-25, 17:36:

If you take it apart I would appreciate detailed pictures of the hard drive cage. I am looking for one of these, and would like to get a clear idea of what to out look for.

Also, please tell me if you find any part numbers on it.

Here you go! My phone is not good at this though 😀

Thank you very much!

Errius wrote on 2020-03-26, 15:10:

Thank you very much!

Do you need any dimensions?

No need thank you. I can confirm that this will fit my case.