IntelliStation 9229 on the way

[EverythingIBM]

Yep... I did it. Ordered an Intellistation 9229 with a 2.66 Ghz dual core. Sadly it only has 2 GB of RAM installed but supports 8GB (stupid ECC yet again). So, I'll have to scramble around looking for RAM for it later on. And, get a back fan for it; all M Pros don't have back fans installed which I'm starting to find strange.

I'm not crazy, not crazy at all.

I've given up trying to upgrade intellistation 6225, so, I guess after 5 years it's time to get a new one.

[microsoft windows]

I've given up trying to make my computers modern. They are by no means my first priority in life.

Right now I'm typing this on a 14-year-old machine with Windows 95. Got a 200Mhz Pentium with 256KB of external cache, along with 64MB of RAM and a 3.6GB hard disk.

[ch_123]

I must say, that is a pretty nifty find.

[kishy]

I must say, that is a pretty nifty find.

And a pretty acceptable deal too, all things considered. I doubt you could build an equivalent (or better, for that matter) system for cheaper than that.

[ch_123]

I want an Intellistation myself, albeit a POWER5 one so that I can say that I own an AIX machine.

[EverythingIBM]

I've given up trying to make my computers modern. They are by no means my first priority in life.

Right now I'm typing this on a 14-year-old machine with Windows 95. Got a 200Mhz Pentium with 256KB of external cache, along with 64MB of RAM and a 3.6GB hard disk.

That's pretty sucky for a 14-year old machine. 300PLs had 384 MB of RAM (but I guess you don't use IBM computers). And why not windows 98? Windows 95 had a bad interface in my opinion, but 98 had it perfect.

I must say, that is a pretty nifty find.

Yeah! There were other intellistations like that with 4 GB of RAM going for $340 as well. But I missed out; like I said, they DID sell like hot cakes. That's a cheap price for a computer, let alone an IBM one. So, I'm NOT losing this one out of my grasp. I was so mad last time! GRRRRRR!

And a pretty acceptable deal too, all things considered. I doubt you could build an equivalent (or better, for that matter) system for cheaper than that.

It's actually very good for a quick cheap and decently fast computer since I'll be needing one. I doubt I could build anything that good even with lots of money; the case is very nice. Has a lock with IBM keys too. I'll have four, great!

I want an Intellistation myself, albeit a POWER5 one so that I can say that I own an AIX machine.

The POWER intellistations don't work with windows (as we both know), they're absolutely extraordinarily heavy, and are very expensive... are the power processors really faster than the intel ones?

[InSanCen]

The POWER intellistations don't work with windows (as we both know), they're absolutely extraordinarily heavy, and are very expensive... are the power processors really faster than the intel ones?

Given a suitable application, then yes. Hell yes. POWER was not meant for consumers, it was meant for large calculation type applications. I would kill for a recent POWER if ports to it were available for the numbers I crunch.

[ch_123]

Who needs Windows when you've got AIX...

[InSanCen]

Who needs Windows when you've got AIX...

There, FTFY :-)

[EverythingIBM]

I have a question about these computers.
They're made in the BTX style:


But they're not P4s.... and made way after BTX was abandoned. So, how on earth did IBM get a motherboard made in the BTX style for a core 2 duo 2.66?

I'm actually really curious to see who made the MOBO in CPUZ. Either IBM or MSI I'm assuming.

[ch_123]

Probably Foxconn, they make a load of OEM motherboards (and iPods/iPhones etc)

It's completely conceivable that IBM decided to stick to the same rough design for their systems, especially as they were phasing out production of PCs and workstations.

[EverythingIBM]

Probably Foxconn, they make a load of OEM motherboards (and iPods/iPhones etc)

It's completely conceivable that IBM decided to stick to the same rough design for their systems, especially as they were phasing out production of PCs and workstations.

I just find that so weird, this is probably the first, and last, BTX-style core 2 duo motherboard clocked at 2.66 Ghz.

Yeah, these were "the last" M Pros made, so that makes sense. However, there ARE intellistation-based cases with the vent on the opposite side, so, that is why I'm confused that they used the left-style, when, they could have easily used the other ATX case.

I'm not complaining though, I think it's great that the motherboard is on the left side. Makes it easier for me.

[ch_123]

But a complete ***** to upgrade it - evidenced by the fact that you had to buy an entire new machine to upgrade from an old processor to a slightly less old processor.

I'm sure if the people at IBM knew about this, they'd get a laugh out of the fact that their discontinued products are wreaking vendor lock-in from beyond the figurative grave...

[D-EJ915]

Either that or the pic is flipped lol.  Also Foxconn makes everything in PCs these days.

[kishy]

I think the key upgrade parts should be at least slightly upgradeable...video card, hard drive, RAM, processor (unless the system is configured to only accept the chip it shipped with - not unheard of, but hopefully not the case).

Power supply might be an interesting one, but hopefully upgradeable as well.

Ultimately I think EIBM did pretty well for his money here but upgrading the machine isn't likely to be worth it (it's good value for the money as it is, but if further money goes into that machine it will cease to be IMO).

[EverythingIBM]

But a complete ***** to upgrade it - evidenced by the fact that you had to buy an entire new machine to upgrade from an old processor to a slightly less old processor.

I'm sure if the people at IBM knew about this, they'd get a laugh out of the fact that their discontinued products are wreaking vendor lock-in from beyond the figurative grave...

I guess you're right: IBM could have made it a lot more malleable for newer processors. But today, everything is about who can make the cheapest computer for the highest price.

Either that or the pic is flipped lol.  Also Foxconn makes everything in PCs these days.

No it's not flipped. You can look at other pictures and see the vent is on the left side, furthermore the IBM schematics even show it in the BTX format.

I only seen foxconn for my cables; I don't have computers that have actual chip boards made by them.

I think the key upgrade parts should be at least slightly upgradeable...video card, hard drive, RAM, processor (unless the system is configured to only accept the chip it shipped with - not unheard of, but hopefully not the case).

Power supply might be an interesting one, but hopefully upgradeable as well.

Ultimately I think EIBM did pretty well for his money here but upgrading the machine isn't likely to be worth it (it's good value for the money as it is, but if further money goes into that machine it will cease to be IMO).

The video card is probably PCIE 2.0, the RAM goes up to 8GB (so that's good). I just needed a quick, cheap, solution for my music gear.
It's not that old of a machine anyhow.

[InSanCen]

I only seen foxconn for my cables; I don't have computers that have actual chip boards made by them.

I would be more than a bit surprised if you didn't. Foxconn are *the* largest OEM in the IIRC.

[EverythingIBM]

I would be more than a bit surprised if you didn't. Foxconn are *the* largest OEM in the IIRC.

Among other things, Foxconn produces the Mac mini, the iPod, the iPad, and the iPhone for Apple Inc - Wikipedia

Huh, no wonder why none of my intellistation components are made by them. Except some measly cables, but I could replace them all if I was insane about it.

[kishy]

Foxconn makes incredibly good products so I find your statement ridiculous.

There's a very good chance the mobo is indeed a Foxconn. Doesn't have to be branded as such to be that way.

[EverythingIBM]

Foxconn makes incredibly good products so I find your statement ridiculous.

There's a very good chance the mobo is indeed a Foxconn. Doesn't have to be branded as such to be that way.

It was a joke.

No it's not foxconn, it's MSI. I've never seen a single IBM computer with a foxconn motherboard.

As for the intellistation 9229, it could be, but I highly doubt it.

[kishy]

MSI's still in the mobo business? That's a shame...

Hopefully they've come a long way from fake cache chips.

[ricercar]

I've had multiple MSI motherboards and graphics cards, and would buy again. WHat's the beef?

[kishy]

I've had multiple MSI motherboards and graphics cards, and would buy again. WHat's the beef?

Whoops, that's PC-Chips. MSI is fine AFAIK. Don't know why I confused those two...

[ch_123]

I've heard nothing but bad things about PC Chips motherboards...

[InSanCen]

PC-Chips and ECS (Same company last I heard) suck balls. Although ECS has been trying to make inroads into the higher end market recently.

MSI on th eother hand, make some damn good products. My Neo2 Platinum was a superb board. In my scheme of things, they are firmly up there with Gigabyte, below Supermicro, and above Asus.

[itlnstln]

I had an ECS mobo back in the day.  I don't remember it being bad ever.  That was back when I used to upgrade once a year, so maybe it didn't have time to fail.

[ch_123]

PC-Chips and ECS (Same company last I heard) suck balls. Although ECS has been trying to make inroads into the higher end market recently.

MSI on th eother hand, make some damn good products. My Neo2 Platinum was a superb board. In my scheme of things, they are firmly up there with Gigabyte, below Supermicro, and above Asus.

I had a bad experience with an MSI motherboard, although that could have been caused by a dodgy PSU... Either way, I stick with Gigabyte. I had some bad luck with ASUS too.

[kishy]

I've read numerous people bash ECS but I have yet to see anyone back it up with something that would have been the fault of the manufacturer (I believe I have read "I overclocked my CPU and it stopped working"-type stories, but if you overclock, you're taking a gamble and in my book it's not the manufacturer's fault if it fails to overclock reliably).

PC-Chips is an easy target: "fake cache chips"

[EverythingIBM]

I've read numerous people bash ECS but I have yet to see anyone back it up with something that would have been the fault of the manufacturer (I believe I have read "I overclocked my CPU and it stopped working"-type stories, but if you overclock, you're taking a gamble and in my book it's not the manufacturer's fault if it fails to overclock reliably).

PC-Chips is an easy target: "fake cache chips"

Yeah I wouldn't overclock a computer for the life of me. I would assume that's hell on the capacitors.

MSI has been fine for me, I think they're decent. Don't think I had an ASUS board before, everyone says they're good (can't prove or disprove it). The motherboards IBM chooses or manufactures themselves seem to have always been good. The capacitors inside my intellistation are all straight, none are bent, and look very healthy. There's this one gigantic capacitor in the middle of the motherboard though, I'm wondering why it's so big. Not as big as some of the ones in the iMac G3s!

Supposedly rubicon makes the best capacitors. I've never had any burst on me: and I have some pretty old electronic equipment.

[EverythingIBM]

Okay here's some photos:


The bigger one is my older intellistation, it's obviously way heavier (the 50-pounder). The differences are: it doesn't have a back fender, there's no metal under the top handle (cheapo IBM, reminds me of iMac G3s), and it has a key lock instead of a little loop for a padlock. So IBM added more sophistocated and expensive methods, but also cheapening down on other things.

The insides are absolutely crazy, that funny metal side thing (I'm wondering if I should just take it out without putting it back in), the "dust buffer" I couldn't figure how to get off, I was going to clean inside there.

Here's an excerpt from the manual, the texts in brackets is my own, obviously.

The computer might come with an air baffle that directs airflow to the microprocessor (wait, MIGHT come with one? They ALL come with one, otherwise the computer would overheat). When you install optional devices, you might have to remove the air baffle to access some components.

To remove the air baffle, complete the following steps:
1. Press in on the tabs on each side of the air baffle. (I don't see any tabs, it's as coherent (or baffling) as the other "air baffle" on type 6225, which, didn't explain everything).
2. Lift the air baffle out of the computer and set it aside. (no ****?)

Show Image

When I was cleaning it out, it had a lot of dust in the front vent, even remnants of a moth wing:


That's what you get for $300 I guess. The rest of the computer was cleaned out though, they just didn't want to get a migrane from figuring out how to remove the front bezel and whatnot.

[kishy]

The air "baffle" thing is a common thing in BTX systems. I've seen BTX Dells with a similar arrangement (or at least for exhaust from the CPU - that was a weird semi-BTX type deal)

[EverythingIBM]

The air "baffle" thing is a common thing in BTX systems. I've seen BTX Dells with a similar arrangement (or at least for exhaust from the CPU - that was a weird semi-BTX type deal)

Yeah, I know.

And CPUZ says IBM made the motherboard: not terribly surprisingly since it's HIGHLY customized.

Like I said, I was surprised a core 2 duo at 2.66 ghz in BTX format, but made way later in the "vista" era.

[EverythingIBM]

Okay here's the windows 7 rating:


6.1 for the processor, DAMN! I'm sure that's way overkill.

I'll go take a look at the speedfan ratings later. I expect it's cooled sufficiently, even without a backfan.

EDIT: it said the CPU was at 95 celsius, but each cores at 25 celsius (yeah okay)... and it never detected the GPU or the hard drive. Stupid speedfan can't detect anything. I don't really trust its readings were accurate.

[Zalusithix]

Win7 ratings scale over 6 quite easily with modern hardware. I'm at a 7.4 processor rating (7.3 overall) and I'm not on an extreme OC either (i920 @ 3.6GHz). Considering I still have things that can bog it down, I don't consider it overkill. =)

For that matter, there's no such thing as overkill on a computer. You can never have too much power!

And as for the cooled sufficiently, throw OCCT on there and let it burn in for an hour or two at the minimum to be sure.

[EverythingIBM]

Win7 ratings scale over 6 quite easily with modern hardware. I'm at a 7.4 processor rating (7.3 overall) and I'm not on an extreme OC either (i920 @ 3.6GHz). Considering I still have things that can bog it down, I don't consider it overkill. =)

For that matter, there's no such thing as overkill on a computer. You can never have too much power!

Well, unless IBM makes a computer with an i920 at 3.6 Ghz, I won't be getting one (FAR TOO LONG have I been using non-IBM computers). Besides, this is probably one of the fastest IBM PCs around at the moment. And I'm sure I paid a lot less than you did.

[Zalusithix]

Oh, you paid less... that much is for sure, but mine was far from esoteric processor wise. I was only commenting on the fact that 6+ ratings in Win7 aren't really "overkill" with any modern hardware. Perhaps from what you were used to it might seem so at first, but like all things tech wise, you'll eventually get used to it and want more. =)

[kishy]

I believe I hit low 5s across the board on my desktop (specs considerably below OP's purchase).

Currently I can't boot into Windows 7 though it's still on the drive. A reinstall of the OS on the first partition wiped out the Win7 bootloader and the disk doesn't want to repair it, so for now I'm stuck.

[Zalusithix]

What OS was on the other partition? If it was a Linux distro using GRUB, then it should be easy enough to chainload the windows partition as a GRUB entry.

[EverythingIBM]

Oh, you paid less... that much is for sure, but mine was far from esoteric processor wise. I was only commenting on the fact that 6+ ratings in Win7 aren't really "overkill" with any modern hardware. Perhaps from what you were used to it might seem so at first, but like all things tech wise, you'll eventually get used to it and want more. =)

It's best to have new and old computers (best of both worlds). I find myself wanting a lot of old hardware/software. But also faster computers to run the new stuff. Whatever. I'm going to have some fun with this new intellistation; but wow, the hard drive sounds like rocks grinding in webwit's mouth. Louder than the ultra SCSI 320.

[kishy]

What OS was on the other partition? If it was a Linux distro using GRUB, then it should be easy enough to chainload the windows partition as a GRUB entry.

XP 32 bit (and previously a partition in the middle containing XP 64 bit, but upon discovering nVidia can't write good drivers if their lives depend on it, that went byebye too)

*nix doesn't touch hardware I respect.

[Zalusithix]

XP 32 bit (and previously a partition in the middle containing XP 64 bit, but upon discovering nVidia can't write good drivers if their lives depend on it, that went byebye too)

*nix doesn't touch hardware I respect.

Personally, I wouldn't let XP touch hardware I respect. ;p But you're pretty much screwed with an XP/Win7 dual boot without jumping through some hoops if the 7 bootloader is dead. I'm sure there are multiple methods to fix the problem, but I'm not familiar with them off the top of my head.

[EverythingIBM]

I'm still trying to figure out how to remove the "air baffle," I don't get it. It's really making me mad, WHY WON'T IT COME OFF?!?! IBM should be more specific on how to remove it... they showed little arrows in the direction of how you're to take off the front bezel, why couldn't they do that with the baffle?

Does anyone have any ideas on how to remove it? I REALLY want to clean the dust off of the CPU heatsink.

[EverythingIBM]

Alright I should give a response as to how to open the baffle. You simply push the little tab in the middle to the RIGHT and pull out. It can be tricky because it may seem like you're about to break the stupid tab. It's made of ABS, unlike the front bezel. The older intellistations had all of the plastic made of ABS.

[EverythingIBM]

Show Image

Oh... it looks like IBMster is jealous of my intellistations (later I'll get pictures of all my computers along with the iPad for fun). I'LL MAKE YOU DROOL RIPSTER.

Seals huh? Reminds me back in the days of Warcraft 2:


Damn stupid seals, they'd get in the way of building things.

[shag]

Joining the brotherhood of IntelliStation owners...



E-IBM, here's the picture I wanted to send you but miserably failed. Disregard the rubbish keyboard on the Cisco server.

[ch_123]

What's the Cisco machine like? I never knew they made workstations... or is it a server?

[kishy]

"Media Convergence Server" on the front bezel

[ch_123]

"Media Convergence Server"

Stop right there. Don't want to know any more =P

[kishy]

lol, wonderful Cisco propriety.

[ch_123]

[ricercar]

Show Image

"After studying the specifications, researching consumer feedback on the web, analyzing MTBF, and evaluating pricing trade offs, I've decided which server to buy."

"Which one is that?"

"The blue one."

[ch_123]

Obviously to match all your Cisco switches...

[kishy]

hey wait a sec...after doing brief research on what a Cisco machine of that nature is, I'm finally getting it...

The example in the photo is an OEM'd IntelliStation case. Look how the front panels fit together and take into account that the top bit on the IBM is cosmetic only.

[ch_123]

Research? That occurred to me after looking at the two of them...

[shag]

Interesting remarks on everyone's part.

Cisco uses x86/x64 servers for most of their voice and collaboration applications (CallManager, Unity Voicemail, IPCC contact center, Presence Server, etc). They've OEM'd a bunch of servers from IBM and HP (even Dell once). Most if not all MCS servers are IBM System x or HP ProLiant servers with a Cisco bezel.

This particular machine was obtained for a steal on eBay because nobody knew what it really was. This machine is actually an IBM x3200 type 4362 (Xeon 3050, 2GB RAM, 160HB SATA HDD). Nothing more, nothing less, except for the front bezel. This was one of the very few tower servers being recased by Cisco. Good server, bad workstation (ATI ES1000 on-board video and no PCIx16 slot)... I bought it because it was a tower and it was dirt cheap compared to a similarly-configured x3200. Lovely machine, makes for good conversation!

Why did Cisco do this? Simply because a Cisco-branded server is a standardized configuration and can be covered by a Smartnet or other service contract, which often inclused next-business-day hardware replacement, just like routers & switches. Makes for an easier support process for Cisco VoIP customers.

(Yes, I deal with these systems on a daily basis.)

[shag]

Here's a non-rebranded x3200 as a comparison:



Everything behind the two bezels is the same.

[shag]

Here's an x206 with a Cisco bezel (note the similarities with an IntelliStation A Pro, or a 6xxx-series non-dual-core Z Pro):

[D-EJ915]

Yeah I've seen a bunch of HP DL360s with Cisco coloured bezels on ebay before

[EverythingIBM]

Joining the brotherhood of IntelliStation owners...

Show Image

E-IBM, here's the picture I wanted to send you but miserably failed. Disregard the rubbish keyboard on the Cisco server.

Mmmm, that's one good rubbish keyboard.

The cisco-branded bezel is the most disgusting teal I've ever seen (they couldn't use a more primary colour?). And they removed the hexagonal pattern on the air vent with little squares instead. I guess you could always get an IBM front bezel and put one on.

I find it weird IBM put a very basic DVD drive in the Z Pro, my M Pros came with one like in the cisco-branded one (well my older M pro came with two drives, a standard DVD one that burns CDs, and one that can burn DVDs; IBM never even hooked them up properly, I don't know what they were thinking).

EDIT: scratch that, it looks like a DVD-multi drive, but then again, that might just mean it reads DVDs and CDs but can't burn anything.

[hyperlinked]

The cisco-branded bezel is the most disgusting teal I've ever seen (they couldn't use a more primary colour?).

That's one of their company colors:
http://newsroom.cisco.com/dlls/2006/CiscoLogoGuidelines.pdf

[shag]

The teal isn't so bad, the pictures make them look worse.

As for Cisco's margins, I have to agree with that!

With regards to the optical drives, the Z doesn't have a burner, but I have no idea if the MCS's optical drive can burn CDRW's... it does say "ReWriteable" on it.

I might just dump them and go buy some cheap LG DVD burner at Future Shop. They're cheap nowadays and even include LightScribe...