Aspen System's Alpine 275XS, BTG's AXP275, and S.A.G. Electronics' SFT Alpha use identical Alpine Revision B motherboards manufactured by Aspen Systems. This motherboard contains a Digital 275-MHz Alpha 21064A processor featuring a 128-bit internal data bus, a 64-bit internal address bus, and separate two-way set-associative caches (16 KB each) for instructions and data. A 2-MB direct-mapped write-back secondary memory cache reduces, or eliminates, wait states on memory accesses.
A flexible system architecture lets you upgrade these machines with faster microprocessors as they become available. In addition to Windows NT, the Alpha 21064A processor supports Open VMS and OSF/1. System RAM expands to 1 GB via 128-MB SIMMs. SIMM sockets are relatively accessible on the Aspen and BTG units, but drive bays obstruct four of the eight SIMM
slots on the S.A.G. SFT Alpha.
The SFT Alpha provides overall Internet-server performance that's nearly identical to that of the Aspen and BTG units (see the figure
"Internet-Server Performance"
). However, the Aspen and BTG systems, including their monitors, list for about $4000 more ($13,810 and $13,497, respectively) than the S.A.G. Alpha and its monitor.
DeskStation Raptor 3
The DeskStation Technology Raptor 3 NT workstation is targeted for graphics and 3-D animation, while DeskStation's UniFlex system, which is identical to the Raptor 3 except for its bezel, is intended to be a server. The Raptor 3 is processor independent; to upgrade it, you simply swap CPU modules.
Our test system was configured with the 633 processor module. This module contains a Mips R4600 processor that operates at 33 MHz externally and at 133 MHz internally, features an integrated FPU, and uses separate data and integer caches (16 KB each). A 512-KB (expandab
le to 1 MB) two-way set-associative write-through cache subsystem is integrated onto the processor module.
Our test unit performed competitively against its Alpha-based counterparts in NSTL's Internet-server benchmarks, and, with its ViewSonic 7E monitor, it costs nearly $3000 less than the Aspen and BTG units.
The Raptor 3 also supports Mips R4700 (150-MHz) and Alpha 21064A (275-MHz) CPU modules. In April, DeskStation Technology announced the availability of its Apocalypse module, which features Digital's new Alpha 21164 processor. The Alpha 21164, available in 266- and 300-MHz flavors, issues four simultaneous instructions with each clock cycle and supports a unique 96-KB, on-chip, three-way set-associative Level 2 cache. The Apocalypse module adds another 2-MB Level 3 cache. Prices start at just under $15,000 for a high-end Raptor 3 configuration with the Alpha 21164 processor.
The Raptor 3's proprietary BIOS provides a hardware-independent firmware layer to support certain OSes, such
as Windows NT. The environment automatically boots to the appropriate NT installation by sensing which CPU module is installed. The Raptor 3's motherboard features four PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) slots, three ISA slots, and twin SCSI-2 ports.
Gateway 2000 P5-120XL
The Gateway 2000 P5-120XL, featuring Intel's recently introduced 120-MHz Pentium processor, represents a cost-effective alternative to RISC technology. Although the unit cannot match the performance of the high-revving RISC systems, it costs almost $5000 less in its test configuration than the least-expensive Alpha system, the S.A.G. SFT Alpha.
The P5-120XL features Intel's Triton chip set, which provides performance benefits over previous Pentium chip sets, including increased bandwidth from the PCI bus to system memory and support for newer memory technologies, such as pipelined burst and EDO (extended data out) memory. However, the Triton chip set doesn't support parity memory, which rules out u
sing the P5-120XL as a mission-critical file or applications server. Our test model was configured with 32 MB of EDO memory (compared to 64 MB on the RISC units) and 256 KB of pipelined burst SRAM (static RAM). Through IDE PIO Mode 4 support, the Triton chip set increases the path between the system's 1.6-GB enhanced IDE hard drive and the processor, boosting data transfer rates and lowering access times.
Standard features of the P5-120XL include a quad-speed three-CD changer, an Ensoniq 16-bit sound card, Altec Lansing's ACS three-piece speaker system, a 17-inch Gateway Vivitron monitor, and an ATI Mach 64 video card with 2 MB of RAM. An integrated 14.4-Kbps fax modem with a telephone-answering device is also standard. Gateway's tower configuration has the ability to accommodate up to four 5-1/4-inch and five 3-1/2-inch mass-storage devices. Four SIMM sockets are conveniently placed on the motherboard and accept a maximum of 128 MB.
INTERNET SERVERS
BEST OVERALL:
S.A.G. Electronics SFT Alpha
This system takes top honors based on its performance, expandability,
and aggressively low price tag. The Digital Alpha-based unit offers
over-all performance similar to that of the BTG and Aspen systems
(all three use identical Aspen Alpine Revision B motherboards), but
it lists for about $4000 less. Our low-level testing verified the
efficiency of the SFT Alpha's dual-headed Seagate ST12450W Barracuda
2 hard drive. The unit's large tower chassis supports the most
mass-storage options of the group, but keep in mind that tower
configurations of the BTG AXP275 and the Aspen Alpine 275XS are also
available.
RUNNER-UP:
DeskStation Raptor 3
You don't have to worry about the Raptor 3 becoming obsolete, thanks
to its unique, 64-bit, PCI-like processor slot that lets you upgrade
to a next-generation processor or to a new family of RISC processors
by simply swapping processor boards. The Raptor 3's t
ower
configuration supports eight 5-1/4-inch mass-storage devices, and you
can install up to 1024 MB of memory using the motherboard's eight
SIMM sockets. The Mips R4600-based unit performs a notch below the
Alpha-based systems and, in its test configuration, costs about $640
more than the S.A.G. SFT Alpha.
RUNNER-UP:
Gateway P5-120XL
The Gateway P5-120XL proves that systems based on Intel's new 120-MHz
Pentium processor can work well as Internet servers for light to
moderately heavy loads. Given Gateway's list price of $4599,
including monitor, you can purchase two to three P5-120XL units for
the price of a single RISC box. Remember, though, that our P5-120XL
test unit was configured with only 32 MB of RAM and a 1.6-GB enhanced
IDE hard drive. The system is limited to 128 MB of RAM, but you can
add up to five 3-1/2-inch and four 5-1/4-inch mass-storage devices.
Gateway also offers the longest warranty (three years) of the vendors
in this review,
and its prices include one year of on-site service.
PRICE
(WITH FTP HTTP WAIS
VENDOR/MODEL MONITOR) RATING RATING RATING
BEST S.A.G. SFT Alpha $9595 ***** ***** *****
RUNNER-UP DeskStation Raptor 3 $10,233 ***** ***** *****
RUNNER-UP Gateway P5-120XL $4599 * ** ****
RUNNER-UP BTG AXP275 $13,497 ***** ***** *****
RUNNER-UP Aspen Alpine 275XS $13,810 ***** ***** *****
PROCESSOR
SPEED
VENDOR/MODEL PROCESSOR (MHZ)
BEST S.A.G. SFT Alpha Alpha 21064A 275
RUNNER-UP DeskStation Raptor 3 Mips R4600 133
RUNNER-UP Gateway P5-120XL Intel Pentium 120
RUNNER-UP BTG AXP275 Alpha 21064A 275
RUNNER-UP Aspen Alpine 275XS Alpha 21064A 275
LENGTH OF
HARD STANDARD
DRIVE FCC WARRANTY
VENDOR/MODEL INTERFACE RATING (MONTHS)
BEST S.A.G. SFT Alpha SCSI Wide Class A 12
RUNNER-UP DeskStation Raptor 3 Fast SCSI-2 Class A 12
RUNNER-UP Gateway P5-120XL IDE Class B 36
RUNNER-UP BTG AXP275 Fast SCSI-2 Class A 12
RUNNER-UP Aspen Alpine 275XS SCSI Wide Class A 24
KEY
Ratings from 1 to 5: * is the lowest; ***** is the highest.
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Our Internet-server benchmarks stress the systems' CPU, disk-handling capabilities, and network compatibility. Higher numbers indicate better performance.
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Best For The Net
