Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!cs.utexas.edu!rice!sun-spots-request From: infmx!cortesi@ames.arc.gov (David Cortesi) Newsgroups: comp.sys.sun Subject: Re: SunOS 4.0 and memory Keywords: Hardware Message-ID: <3094@brazos.Rice.edu> Date: 15 Nov 89 19:52:44 GMT Sender: root@rice.edu Organization: Sun-Spots Lines: 52 Approved: Sun-Spots@rice.edu X-Refs: Original: v8n192, Replies: v8n196 X-Sun-Spots-Digest: Volume 8, Issue 199, message 5 of 17 A few weeks ago I asked about information on adding RAM to a 3/80; others have asked related questions. I now have more information which may be of interest to others. The 3/60, 3/80 and SparcStation all use the same RAM format, namely 1 megabyte x 9 bit, 100ns, low profile SIMMs The ones in my 3/80 were made by Texas Instruments; however they are an industry standard part. A T.I. representative verified to me that there was nothing special or Sun-specific about the part number. SIMMs are a commodity item whose price changes daily. The general trend is downward; a recent posting in this forum claimed that due to a new factory about to come on-stream prices should plunge in 1990. (Then again, new factories are sometimes delayed coming up...) 4MB upgrade kits (4 SIMMs, a grounding strap, and instructions) are available from these vendors at least (alpha order) Clearpoint 1-800-253-2778 Helios 1-408-432-0292 Parity 1-408-378-1000 They charge a bit more than the street price for SIMMs (about $500 for 4MB, as of last week). In exchange you get advice & support from a vendor experienced with Sun hardware. If you feel adventurous, you can save another 25% by ordering from Chip Merchant (1-619-268-4774) who last week had 9x1Meg, 80ns (faster) SIMMs for $89. But they know nothing about Sun hardware; I didn't ask about warranty, return policy or service. Flat-topped 3/50s can be upgraded by the addition of a piggy-back board. The above vendors all carry these; they currently charge around $950 for a board that adds 4MB (total of 8MB). In all cases they assert there are no heating problems; that installation is very simple; that if a problem develops in the board they will fix it. Regarding Sun service they say that "at worst" you'd have to remove the board before Sun would work on a problem; one claimed that if a Sun service person diagnosed a problem in the board, they would pay for the Sun service call. Nothing above should be taken as an endorsement of any company, and especially in regard to warranties your mantra should be "caveat emptor." Neither I nor Informix have any connection with the aforementioned outfits - not even as customers as my req. is still working its way through the purchasing department. /////// / David Cortesi {pyramid|uunet}!infmx!cortesi ////// // /////////////////////////////////// //// / /// Informix Software // // /// / //// 4100 Bohannon Drive // (aphorism goes here) // // / ///// Menlo Park, CA 94025 // // / //////// (415) 926-6300 ///////////////////////////////////