[Sunhelp] Recommendation on a Frame Buffer and Monitor

[James Lockwood]

On Sun, 18 Jul 1999, Brian Pavane wrote:

> I'm looking into purchasing a sparc for use as a desktop system at home.
> I'll probably end up going with a SS5/110, 64mb ram configuration.  The
> question I have is what Frame Buffer and Monitor should I be looking to
> purchase for this box?  It seems most of the SS5/110 boxes out there come
> with the TGX (501-2325), which is surely not a 24bit card.  Is it worth
> shelling out the extra cash to get a TGX+ or something even better?  Also,

First of all, let me state that while the SS5/110 is quite a nice machine,
it wouldn't be my first choice for a desktop system purchased now.  With a
bit of hunting you can find a SS20/50 (single SM50 CPU module) for a
comparable price that takes cheaper RAM and is far more expandable.  Some
of the major plusses:

  RAM is movable to most of the Ultra family when you choose to upgrade
  (the SS5 RAM is unique to the SS4/SS5).  512MB max RAM vs 256MB.

  4 sbus slots rather than 3.

  Up to 4 processors (expensive) or 2 (cheap, SM50 modules are at
  bargain-basement prices right now).  If you want more bang per CPU,
  GSTek has SM71's for $180/ea that will blow away a SS5/110 by nearly
  2:1.

All of the cg6 family (which includes the GX, GX+, TGX, and TGX+) are
8-bit only.  The GX+ and TGX+ differ primarily by having more RAM (4MB vs
1MB) which is used to support double buffering and higher resolutions.
Although double buffering helps performance, IMHO it's not worth it paying
the premium on those cards (the GX and TGX are extremely cheap used due to
volume).

If you want a 24-bit framebuffer that is fast and supported on a pre-Ultra
machine, you have only one choice: the SX.  This can only be used in a
SS20 (or SS10SX, a rare machine) and it actually a special type of SIMM
(known as a "VSIMM") that activates the onboard video circuitry.  It does
not take an sbus slot, and has very good performance due to the fact that
it's tied to the mbus (50MHz/64-bit) rather than the sbus (25MHz/32-bit).
These have traditionally been expensive due to high demand, but prices are
finally falling.  Expect to pay in the neighborhood of $200 for one.

Bottom line: decide if you really need 24-bit color and if you will
upgrade to a newer machine eventually.  If you need it right now, a SS20
with an SX framebuffer is your best buy.  If you don't, just about any of
the SS4/5/10/20 family with a TGX will work, but keep in mind that memory
is transferrable from the SS20 to the Ultras (except for the "big-iron"
enterprise Ultras and the Ultra 5/10).  The TGX can be moved to any sbus
Ultra (useful for a second display even if you get a 24-bit framebuffer as
your primary) while the SX is stuck with the SS20 (but they make terrific
24-bit X-terminals).

> I'm looking to get a nice 20" monitor for this system, how does a 365-1324
> or a 365-1335 rank?  What are other people out there using as a fb and
> monitor on desktop sun's?

These are the Sun part numbers for the Sony GDM20D10 and GDM20E20.  Both
are good monitors, and both can do 1280x1024 at 76Hz.  The main difference
that most people notice is that the 20E20 can scan all the way down to
640x480, and is therefore more valuable due to its usefulness with the PC
crowd.  The 20D10 (365-1167/1313/1317/1330/1322/1324/1325/1326) is
probably the best deal for a clear trinitron on a Sun.  They also seem to
age better, possibly due to less strain on the sync circuits.

-James