Dell Precision 220 Workstation/Multiprocessor Computing Fun!
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- Опубліковано 10 лип 2011
- Here's my effort to beat the Keykeeper's longest video. I think I pulled it off! (Sibling rivalry? What sibling rivalry? ;-))
This Dell workstation uses the Intel i820 chipset. It was also undoubtedly very expensive when new. Unlike any other Dell computer I have ever seen, this uses standard temperature, fan and power supply voltage sensors from National Semiconductor, Analog Devices and Maxim Integrated Products as opposed to the proprietary and mostly undocumented Dell/SMsC sensor implementation. SpeedFan can access some of these sensors and they do return reasonable values, although fan speed control is not supported. Dell actually mentions these sensors in the promotional literature for this computer.
I know this is something of a rambling video and hope that you'll forgive me if it bothers you. I wouldn't bet my life that the multiprocessing explanation and timeline are 100% perfect--gentle corrections would be welcome--but I think it's a serviceable explanation for the layperson.
Although almost every computer sold today will have a multiple core CPU, multi-processor computing used to require two or more physical CPUs as well as a motherboard made to handle such things. As such, multiprocessor capable systems were typically very expensive and reserved for those who could justify their expense. So, while this computer isn't something I'd consider a true "antique" system, it is an interesting look back at how things "used to be done" and what used to be a niche market. Computers made with multiple physical processor sockets do still exist--the Mac Pro and discontinued Xserve sold by Apple would be well known (though certainly not the only) examples. They are used when the number of cores available in a single CPU are not sufficient for a given computing task.
Multiprocessor computing is also not limited to the x86 world. Multiple processor systems have been developed for all popular processor architectures. There are also auxiliary processor cards that are used to run totally different operating systems. My IBM 6152 Academic System is an example of such a "multiprocessor" configuration.
I might have been a year early on this system's production date--it may have been shipped in June of 2001 as opposed to June 2000. - Наука та технологія
This is a trip down memory lane. At work I had a Precision 220 and two Precision 420s which were the same dual physical processor computers except they used Xeon procs. These weren't my first true dual processor systems, but they were my last before the switch to multicore procs.
BTW, your estimates on price are about right. The 420 with multiple SCSI hard drives in RAID cost my company just over $4K each.
I used to have one of these, it was a great machine. Looking back, I was running dual CPU systems back in the 90's. My first was a Vectra system with a pair of 133 Mhz Pentiums
Hey UXWBill, I have quite a few friends that watch your videos but I only recently started watching them. You make some of the most interesting videos I've seen! Keep posting.
Very interesting and I really enjoyed watching it.
You always amazes me Bill by the amount of knowledge you have and how good you are explaining things.
Also, I really the how clear and correct you speak. (It really helps me a lot to improve my English skills).
Great job and a Big thanks for all your uploads. :-)
I love your computer videos! They are always interesting to watch; though, I usually already know the info you are narrating. Its still interesting to learn a little bit of history from you! Keep it up :)
High latency and price were really the nail in RDRAM's coffin. I still remember the groaning from enthusiasts during the early P4 days when it was the fastest option available.
I recently renewed one of those Dell 4 hour response time warranties on a disk array worth around $100,000 and it cost north of $9,300 for a renewal to give you an idea of the relative cost for that service.
Nice work man, create a playlist with all your computer videos if possibles.
Keep up the good work and we 're with you.!
Dell Precision 220 Workstation/Multiprocessor --- I have one of these Dells with a burn out transformer in it ! I still have the Dell computer & plan to fix the transformer one day soon in it . Awesome Video --- Thanks you uxwbill for explaining about this Dell Duo CPU machine here !
Good luck. If you ever repair the power supply (be careful!), I'd love to hear about it. Mine still works, but the last time I had it powered up, I could smell something inside getting hot.
Working on finding a power supply for a 1993 Laser 486 DX Computer I found along the street corner ! It has a burnt out power supply also ! I have to look in my bedroom apartment closet here to find a working power supply here, or else totally rebuild the old one instead !
Thank you for the brief history lesson on Intel processors. You learn something new everyday :o)
With its 3.6 GHz Pentium 4 HT processor, my IBM ThinkCentre blows hotter air out of its fan than a Chinese Wal-Mart hair dryer... I can sure see why Intel gave up on the P4 architecture! I also got a free 1.4 GHz P4 Gateway once, but tossed it out when I discovered it only had 128 MB of that stupid RAMBUS memory, and adding more wouldn't be worth the money.
9 women can have 9 babies in 9 months.
So if one of them has twins, she's overclocked? :D
Or statistically unique. :-P
good to listen to someone who really knows some stuff!!
As always, a wealth of information.
I like the way old youtube looks more than the modern style.
So does just about everyone, except Google.
I can go even further back than this. I worked at a small computer store that had a Dell "Omniplex" which was a short lived line that was a tiny bit better than the Optiplex, but before the Precision series came out. The Omniplex had a dual Pentium 166 arrangement running NT Workstation.
Thank you for the affinty tip. because now I can do much more at the same time.
Nice stuff as usual. :)
Awesome video! Thanks for posting it. :)
"UA-cam's best channel" appears in my recommendations, I'll to go check it out later.
And sure enough, even with the high-end 64-core processors we have today, dual-CPU systems still exist in the server and workstation world.
That's really cool, Bill. I didn't know you had any dual CPU machines.... I mean even though that's old I bet that can still keep up. I mean not top of the line by any means, but I'm sure that could handle more than the average end user would need... Very cool.
That computer will probably outlast any new computer 10 times over. Thumbs up nice computer man
That pentium 3 rocks!
Also, I noticed a black Sony boombox in the background on top of your blue typewriter. Is that by chance a CFD-V10?
Verry nice Video!
I think I'm going to pick up a dual P3 server soon.
Enjoyed this video, very cool looking system. I kind of wonder if Dell makes machines as well built as this nowadays.
Nope, everything they sell today has been massively cheapened.
Hello Uxwbill, I have the same Dell Precision 220 tower workstation except it has slower Pentium iii at 667Mhz, 256MB of RAM and the Matrox G450 video card. Is it actually possible to open the right side cover on the computer? I've looked through the entire Dell Precision 220 service manual and haven't found any single about opening the right side cover. Do you think it's even possible?
love the video, i have a dell precision 420 mt running dual p3 733mhz i bought and refurbished. i can only get it to run 128 meg rdram chips though? ive tried 256 mb pc 800 but all it does is the death beeps so im maxed at 512mb pc800 backed up with a agp geforce fx 5600 256 mb vid and a barracude 10k rpm hhd. the isa slot you referred too is actually a pcix slot that they started to come with in later models. i still use my precision 420 on a daily basis as my xp pro gaming pc.
Very cool computer! Crazy they had the technology to put 2 physical chips in one system, but ended up never really using it that much. Wonder why they Dell didn’t try this with the Pentium 4?
it's possible that it originally had an early RTM preload of XP on it. i think the RTM was months before retail availability; a bit like when I first saw Vista PCs for sale in January 2007 and Windows would have been installed in late 2006.
Outstanding Video! I think I'll watch it again...No joke...haha!!!
That's a Superb old PC!!! I'd have it tomorrow!!!
I only use a 2003 Celeron D running Win XP down here in my workshop...As long as UA-cam videos play ok and I can chug round the internet...I'm more than happy! :)
I had the Pentium 4 3.0E GHz Prescott core and that thing was basically a personal heater in the winter months. In the summer months it was a real nightmare, especially being stuck upstairs in a tri-level house.
@MyTechtime out of pizza this time, had some left over chinese take out and ice tea LOL
great and interesting video as always uxwbill!
awesome video but i must say its not a video its a show now and im loving it lol
My first and only multi-processor computer is an Apple Power Mac G4, with two 1.25GHz PowerPC 7455 processors. I think I should start using it more often. I got it in the summer of 2012, I think.
Nice presentation.
And I have a question. Are you familiar with Dell Precision 450 Workstation?
Thanks for putting up this video. I have a couple of these dual processor Precisions. Also have an extra motherboard for them if anyone is interested.
i had quite a bit of a fun with a dell 490 precision last year. The dual quad core model. But after having to replace 3 power supplies and send back the motherboard 4 times under warranty i gave up on the beast. With all the extras it weighed in thee most heaviest computer ive owned. Dell do make some good machines. The best are their tickover machines like the optiplex and E520 faired good but they did make some junk too
Wow, that's an old Dell! Cool!
I always wanted one of these, I'm still hunting for one.
I couldn't help but notice the nVidia tray icon. what model nvidia video card is it running?
I wish I had even one of those old computers. I really old tech but the only things I have is an old sears potable color tv, a vintage in really good condition hp-55 calculator and a macintosh se fdhd coming soon.
Hi William.
I recently found a old DELL crt monitor.
but it has one problem, there are some nasty scratches on the glass,
do you know if it's possible to remove them?
They are quiet deep, so i think i'll just let them be there. Thanks for the help :-)
Very interesting setup for the precision 330 with the dual PIII 1.0ghz processor. I have one from Dell which is the Precision 520 with the dual 1.5 and 1.7 GHZ processors. (Two different machines one containing 1.5 GHZ and the other 1.7GHZ CPU but both have two of the same CPU speed in each of them.) Very good machines for rugged for processing data and crunching numbers on both I just have to replace a battery for the cmos in one. And it will be fine.
very informative on all the unfinished places on the motherboard. forgotten tibidts of computer history should be the main function of youtube
I have a question: what if you would have a second monitor port and installed a mouse and keyboard via usb, use a second hard drive, couldn´t you run two Operating Systems at the same time? Like conjoined twins? That would be a pretty cool show.
Yet another awesome video for the tech-fans, I love it.
What about the 1st generation mac pro for build quality and "heavyweight computers"?
speaking of precisions, the Precision T3500's make a fantastic base for a gaming rig if you get them for $105-$160 on ebay.
Is that the famed college153 minifridge in the background??
Uxwbill, Would you please do a benchmark video on this machine using Geekbench? I am extremely interested in seeing that. If you don't want to, I understand. Thanks!
nice upload
Cool vid a PC from 200 is definitely vintage!
if i am not mistaken 3com used to make the network in at least the palm III series
as a matter of fact my IIIe has 3com printed on the case
Maybe I wasn't listening at the right time, but how do you know that the amount of RAM in the computer was factory installed by Dell and not upgraded by the original owner at a later point? And what do you mean by wagon dragon(?)?
Very intresting video ill have to watch it a few more times to help me get the jist of it abit more as im not fantastic with computers but looks and sounds like a brillent machine. I want one!!! Im going to try and upload and bore you with my airconditioner video as soon as i have a cam may have to use my cell phone cam. How are you getting on with the garage electrics aney progress???
13:30 could it by chance be a voodoo2 SLI installation?
I remember playing with Dell's configurator back in the day and getting a Xeon-era Precision workstation to cost more than FIFTEEN THOUSAND DOLLARS.
I got a file cabinet-shaped server with SuperMicro 370-DE6 EATX motherboard, dual PIII/933, 1GB ECC, dual U160 SCSI, AGP, plenty of PCI64 slots. Lowest spec is single 100mb network onboard, so I added a 3Com gigabit card before installing NAS4Free on a CompactFlash card (boots like a normal IDE disk) and, since I only had noisy used 73GB U160 disks, new SATA2 drives on a SiL3124 PCI64 controller. Then one of the proprietary redundant power supplies failed, and the failover controller does not switch reliably to the other one, so I moved the drives of the ZFS pool to a recent motherboard with 8 onboard SATA3 ports. But I may install Windows 2000 or XP on this old server and try it as a vintage workstation if I find a high-end AGP card to put there. I had already tried Windows on another similar dual PIII server with low-end onboard graphics, but could not upgrade to 7 because support was dropped for the NC6136 network card I was using (maybe intentionally as planned obsolescence of 64-bit PCI and optical SC connectors, or because end-users are not supposed to enjoy a fiber LAN).
I'd offer you the 2 that I'm pulling out, but they're on 128Mb total! By the way, that video of your dad on the tractor looks like the lower part of Illinois; am I close? We're from West Texas and lived in Chicago for a few years and used to drive through the state routinely to-and-from. Plus my sister and her family lived in Bloomington so we were down there quite a bit as well.
Heavy isn't always good. When I built my latest custom machine (core 2 quad q9450 + asus p5e3 deluxe) I put it in an all-aluminum LianLi case which cut the weight down significantly. This is especially considering that I'm running a pretty large PSU and there's a ton of copper on the P5E3. It's also useful to cut weight on the case if you plan to transport the tower around.
whats the resolution of that monitor, i wanna get a 1600x1200 monitor
My family bought an HP computer in 2000 that had the colour coded ports, the computer was made in 1999 I think, so this Dell doesn't 'predate' the colour coding convention whatever it's called. What are the options you've installed in the PS/2 80, I couldn't work it out just form the video.
I have an old Dell Precision 410 Computer with 2 pentium II cpu in it ! I have to look for 2 similar pentium III cpu to upgrade......this old Dell computer. I wonder if my has the bottom IC Chip in it. I am going to check this out today. I wonder if windows 7 will program on this Duo CPU computer at all ??? If not leave it on XP .....operating system. Thank for the video !
I use a dell precision m6400 that I think was top of the line back in 2009 which has a Core2extreme quad core QX9300 with 12 gbs of ddr3 ram, 480gb ssd, and a blueray burner and is running Windows 7.
I wonder if that Large chip might have been some kind of an isa controller? I don't know much about isa, so I don't even know if an isa slot would need one.
I just picked up a Precision 530 with dual 36gb 10k drives and two gigs of rdram. The thing was insane when it was new I am sure. Mine came with Windows 2000 pro too.
Have you ever worked on or played with any Silicon Graphics SGI workstations in the past?
No.
My newer tower is pretty heavy as well, but it has a pretty decent all steel and aluminum case.
What does the Chassis Intrusion switch do?
what is that extra plug on the dell psu i have an old dell psu and i would like to know what it is.
i shorted out one of those power suplies and it realesd the smoke and it still worked
My old highschool's video production class had a four-processor computer. I believe they had 4x dual-core Intel Xeons. They probably never used more than 10% of that computer's capabilities, but still, it was pretty neat none the less. I think the computer was capable of supporting Quad-Core Xeons as well, which I why I'm surprised the company that made it (BOXX, IIRC) didn't opt for 2x quad core.
nice toy, looks like an EATX Server system, if I'm not mistaken... or is she a desktop box?
how the mighty have fallen
fallen onto a dell studio/inspiron and smashed it to pieces
Some other computers nowadays use multiple CPU's installed. A future computer that I intend to get has two 8 core Intel Xeon chips inside, each will be clocked at 3.1GHz.
i miss tinkering with this old stuff it was much more fun
Hey can you run windows 7 with this say you install a agp video card for aero
would this work better then a old 2.ghz p4? since is multiprocessor
and p4 is a single core processor?
Wonder how this thing compares to my dual 1.25GHz Power Mac G4 MDD.
i love ur computer wish i had it
what kind of computer would fit for gravis and sound blaster awe32 card's?.
I have the exact same system with Slackware installed and viewing video on youtube is terrific.
its the one that is simlar to an at power plug and is to the right of the atx power connector
Does this system support 1 GB of memory? If it actually does, you could (theoretically) install and run Windows 7 on this computer, if everything went out OK in-terms of hardware compatibility.
what is your floppy drive part #?
night time is the right time is for computer mischief and/or mayhem.
I finally found a decent use for my Precision. I use it with Adobe Premiere Pro V1. That's all I use it when capturing video from my sony Digital 8 or Cannon XL-1 minidv camcorders. And then for editing. I found an ATI AGP card with 512 MB of memory and put my Audigy 2 ZS Platinum which has firewire.
+uxwbill I recently purchased the motherboard for this machine and am going to find a way to put it together. I noticed it needed a special PSU so I have purchased a conversion cable from ebay which should be arriving soon, but one thing I also noticed is these odd little slots in the motherboard PCB with metal connectors in the centre, I'm assuming these make some sort of connection when mounted inside the correct kind of case. Do you think the mobo will work fine in a 3rd party case? I assume I'll have to do some pretty serious case modding to make it fit. Thanks for any advice.
+Storm Gaming Media I think you might have a chance to get the motherboard into place without undue gymnastics. The I/O area is basically ATX shaped, although getting the slots and screw holes to line up may be a real trick.
The cutouts in the motherboard are for grounding purposes as best I can tell. The last time I powered this machine up, it worked but I smelled burning and suspected the power supply. If you've got or can get the item # for those power supply adapters, I'd be greatly appreciative of your sharing it. (There's also an Optiplex GX110 whose power supply shot craps.)
+uxwbill www.ebay.com/itm/Convert-Dell-Motherboard-Power-Supply-connector-to-Standard-20pins-ATX-/230867480318?hash=item35c0c62efe:m:m8SskKkRLF0SBWaP7J3Ynaw
+Storm Gaming Media i recently got a optiplex 980. I found it had a micro ATX connector and the PSU was shot, it only powered on for a minute before shutting off and refusing to power on. I tried a PSU out of a HP slimline but that did not work. I found out DELL uses propreitary wiring in the ATX connector so i found an adapter on ebay, it works with a regular PSU
Thx, found one :)
would make a kickass dos old school gaming rig ;D
you reminded me about affinity thanks
What specific i5? I have an Ivy Bridge i5-3570K, and it doesn't have HT :(
Most Compaq products have been re-branded with the HP nameplate, such as the company's market leading ProLiant server line, while the Compaq brand remains on only some consumer-oriented and budget products, notably Compaq Presario PCs. HP's business computers line was discontinued in favour of the Compaq Evo line, which was rebranded HP Compaq. HP's Jornada PDAs were replaced by Compaq iPAQ PDAs, which were renamed HP iPAQ. All Compaq computers now ship with HP software.
@uxwbill The frontal shot for the first few minutes. On the right side of the three 5.25 bays, there's what looks like a slim knockout panel running their total height.
I have a 2-CPU Motherboard also! It is an M668-Stallion Motherboard, with 2 Pentium II MMX 500MHz processors and 1GB PC100 RAM. It has, no joke, ONBOARD SCSI, BOTH 68(?) and 50 PIN! Along with the normal Quad-Channel IDE and Dual Channel Floppy controller. I mainly use it for Hard disk testing. It has no Casing though, so I should find one soon... It has 4 ISA, 3 PCI, ans 1 AGP slot. Almost all of the slots are populated, as the motherboard itself has almost nothing onboard except the SCSI controller!
The FULL SPECs. of this computer are as follows:
2 Pentium II MMXs clocked at *correction to above* 200MHz;
4 256MB PC100 RAM modules;
Onboard SCSI;
nVidia Riva TNT-2 32MB in the AGP slot;
a Netgear FA-310X in a PCI slot along with some soundblaster-compatible... thing, a TV-Tuner card by panisonic (lol idk why Its even there I don't use it), and a PCI SCSI Controller I pulled out of a Power Mac G3;
Then in the ISA Slots there are:
An old Seagate MFM Board (that doesn't really work), a Mediavision Pro Audio Spectrum 16 (with a "thunderboard" built in), another SCSI Controller (again, I have NO IDEA WHY), and some multifunction board that just keeps time and date stuff, as this motherboard does NOT, in fact, have an onboard clock;
Quad-Channel (yes, I know) IDE (as in 2 plugs and 2 drives on each);
Dual-Channel (agan, i know) Floppy (as in 1 plug, 2 drives).
It has no defined Hard disk drive, or any drives at all, for that matter... I don't use it enough for somethinglike that. I DID use it about a week ago, for (you're not going to belive this...) blowing old LEDs and other components that I hapened to have lying around... That video will be posted soon!
WOW! This comment is WAY too long, os I'll end it here. Sorry for the long comments...
That I knew, but it would take some experimentation to see what kind of specific Cyrix "6x86" processor could run Windows 7 decently.
That could be another video idea for uxwbill actually
Just to add I never even knew about the affinity setting which is rather cool. Single core, dual core, quad core core on the cob its all latin to me really. :)
I have a DELL very similar in looks, but older, yet a DELL Precision MT 410 , this thing has dual SLOT 1 processors. 2x 500Mhz (well maybe not older but surely around that era)
Bill if you would like to see it , let me know.
I have three of these 220s and have a problem with one of them. When I plug it in, it powers up right away, but does not go through any boot sequence. I disconnected everything and swapped CPUs and RAM to see if I could figure out what is causing it, but no luck. Any thoughts?
Simplify the configuration to the bare minimum. Test power supply voltages (and power good signal). Pull the CMOS battery for 24 hours and make sure power is disconnected at the same time. It's probably dead, though.
@@uxwbill I took out the CMOS battery and checked it... was dead. Replaced it with a new one and boots up fine again. Thanks!
what does that ibm have that is special???????
in theory, windows 7 just requires the i686 instruction set, just like Vista, which means you could even run it on a cyrix 686-type chip.
The fan sounds like in a Dell dimension 3000