> -----Original Message----- > From: cctech [mailto:cctech-boun...@classiccmp.org] On Behalf Of Mike Ross > Sent: 28 May 2016 14:04 > To: General Discussion: On-Topic Posts <cct...@classiccmp.org> > Subject: Re: Mystery IBM processor > > On Sat, May 28, 2016 at 11:40 PM, Dave Wade <dave.g4...@gmail.com> > wrote: > >> -----Original Message----- > >> From: cctech [mailto:cctech-boun...@classiccmp.org] On Behalf Of Mike > >> Ross > >> Sent: 28 May 2016 11:29 > >> To: General Discussion: On-Topic Posts <cct...@classiccmp.org> > >> Subject: Re: Mystery IBM processor > >> > >> On May 28, 2016 9:51 PM, <malc...@avitech.com.au> wrote: > >> > > >> > Just wondering if anyone can help us to identify a rather large IBM > >> > processor assembly. It weighs around 60 pounds. > >> > > >> > The frame has a P/N of 34F5089. The frame houses 9 modules, 6 of > >> > which are installed. The module we removed for inspection has a P/N of > 34F0615. > >> > >> Definitely IBM mainframe. The individual square alloy lumps are what > >> are called MCMs - Multi Chip Modules. Insides are dozens of individual ECL > ICs. > >> Water cooling heatsinks would have been bolted to the front side in life. > >> Can't remember what IBM called the entire assembly. 1980s, probably a > >> 3080 or 3090 but don't quote me on that. > > > > I believe the modules are called TCM's or Thermal Conduction Modules. It > looks like a 3090 chip but I thought those were withdrawn before the date code > of "90xx". > > > > I thought the ES/9000 follow on had a re-designed chip with multiple rows of > pins like this... > > > > http://www.ebay.com/itm/Rare-IBM-9121-TCM-Thermal-Conduction- > Module-ES > > -9000-Mainframe-Microprocessor-/182138577581 > > > > but when I look at the IBM web pages:- > > > > http://www- > 03.ibm.com/ibm/history/exhibits/mainframe/mainframe_PP9000. > > html > > > > it says only the high end machines have the new TCM so I think it may be a > TCM from an entry level ES/9000 machine... > > TCM! That's what I was looking for. If you think your collection is getting > out of > hand Jim Austin has *half* of a 3084.... shows how the CPU assembly fits into > the machine: > > http://www.computermuseum.org.uk/fixed_pages/IBM3084.html >
The pricing is miss-leading. That price is taken from here:- https://www-03.ibm.com/ibm/history/exhibits/mainframe/mainframe_PP3084.html For Universities there was a standard discount of 40% so at most they paid was $5.22M In addition, it was common practice for IBM to loan Universities a new machine for evaluation. Typically, you could have it for a year so long as you paid the maintenance and software costs. At the end of a year you then had the option to buy, or return it. If you choose to buy it, it was by then of course, a year old and no longer a leading edge new machine... .. so you would actually pay the second hand price, less your 40% discount... As far as I know only one University in the UK sent one back, and that was Queens University, Belfast. Dave G4UGM > Mike > > http://www.corestore.org > 'No greater love hath a man than he lay down his life for his brother. > Not for millions, not for glory, not for fame. > For one person, in the dark, where no one will ever know or see.'
