Mystery IBM processor

[Dave Wade]

> -----Original Message-----
> From: cctech [mailto:cctech-bounces at classiccmp.org] On Behalf Of Mike Ross
> Sent: 28 May 2016 14:04
> To: General Discussion: On-Topic Posts <cctech at classiccmp.org>
> Subject: Re: Mystery IBM processor
> 
> On Sat, May 28, 2016 at 11:40 PM, Dave Wade <dave.g4ugm at gmail.com>
> wrote:
> >> -----Original Message-----
> >> From: cctech [mailto:cctech-bounces at classiccmp.org] On Behalf Of Mike
> >> Ross
> >> Sent: 28 May 2016 11:29
> >> To: General Discussion: On-Topic Posts <cctech at classiccmp.org>
> >> Subject: Re: Mystery IBM processor
> >>
> >> On May 28, 2016 9:51 PM, <malcolm at 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 looks like a 3090 chip but I thought those were withdrawn before the date code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.'