HP3000/HP 3000 FAQ

Last Updated: Thursday, February 01, 2007 02:38 PM

HP3000 Model numbers/names

2.1.6. HP3000 Model numbers/names

2.1.6.1. CPU Models

      3x         = any Classic HP3000 in the 30 series (30, 33, 37)
      30         = code named Koala
      37         = code named Mighty Mouse
      Micro/3000 = series 37 with microcode on chip, other enhancements
      4x         = (40,42,44,48)
      40         = code named Cub
      44         = code named Grizzly
      5x         = (52,58)
      64A/B      = code named Gemini
      68A/B      = 64 with two I/O bays
      70A/B      = 64/68 with bigger cache (highest end classic 3000)
                   (*B models had newer/improved power supplies)
      9xx        = any HP3000 in the 900 series.
      922        = code named Silverfox (Low)
      932        = code named Silverfox (High)
      925        = code named Firefox
      930        = code named Indigo
      935        = code named Topgun
      9x7        = Nova series boxes
      948        = code named Silver Bullet -L
      958        = code named Silver Bullet -H
      949        = code named Shogun
      950        = code named Cheetah
      955        = code named Jaguar (also: PN10)
      960        = code named Cougar (also: PN10C)
      980        = code named Panther
      918,928,   = (successor of 9x7 boxes) code named "Wright Brothers"
      968,978
      99x        = Emerald series boxes (multi processor options)
      A-Series   = (aka A-Class)
      N-Series   = (aka N-Class)

ER

BTW, I hear somewhere that the very first Spectrum was implemented in a S/48 cabinet.

RLE

You are correct. The Grizzly processor on an S/48 was micro coded to implement the Spectrum instruction set. It was called the LESS machine. I don't know what the acronym meant, but remember that less is more.

PAC

Some information on differences between processors:

S/40 - S/42  --- added disc caching, implemented in software.
S/44 - S/48   /

S/42 - S/52  --- Memory controller update to support 2 and 4 MB memory
S/48 - S/58   /   boards. Also, updated CPU to support various
                  system table expansions and slight processor speed
                  enhancement.

S/64 - S/68  --- Added support of a 3rd I/O bay.

S/68 - S/70  --- Increased CPU (not disc) Cache for a rather
                  significant increase in CPU speed.

There were a couple of other things that differentiated the S/64A and S/68A from the S/64B, S/68B, and S/70. Most notable were a different SSDP (System Status and Display Panel) and a totally different power supply and distribution group.

JK

(As I remember) the offerings at the time were 40, 44, and 64. The 40 and 44 were essentially the same horsepower and had interchangeable boards, but the 40 was a square-ish box with no terminal connections (other than console); the ADCCs ran out to little metal boxes or your ATP came to a mini-cabinet. The 44 was the "desk" looking thing, the 64 was the "chest freezer".

MPE V started the cache business and had V/P initially (cache only), V/E (new processor and firmware for CST tricks), and later V/R (for the obsolete Series III and below). V/P was purely software, but you had to "upgrade" from 40-42, 44-48, or 64-68 to get it; consequently if you got the upgrade early (before the firmware was released) and deleted the memory board, all you got was a new FOS/SUBSYS tape and a new nameplate (for a considerable chunk of money). I know, I got two of them :-) Of course you later got the firmware (and V/E).

The next processor speed-up changed 42-52, 48-58 (for sure) and I think also 68-70. I've had a 40/42/44/48/52/58, dunno about the rest :-)

CB

Yes, 68-70 added CPU/microcode caching. We went through a few of those upgrades ourselves.

2.1.6.2. Peripherals

Information needed on this topic

2.1.6.3. Relative CPU speeds on different models

    Relative HP 3000 System Performance

HP 3000 System          Relative Performance

Series 30, 33                            0.5
Series III                               0.6
Series 37, 37XE                          0.6
Micro 3000 RX                            1.3
Micro 3000 LX, GX                        1.3
Series 39, 40, 44                        1.0
Series 42, 48                            1.3
Series 42XP, 52, 58                      1.7
Series 64                                3.2
Series 68                                4.0
Series 70                                4.4
Series 920                               1.9
Series 922                               3.2
Series 932                               5.0
Series 948                              10.7
Series 958                              13.3
Series 925                               2.9
Series 935                               5.9
Series 949                              11.7
Series 950                               6.5
Series 955                              10.0
Series 960                              14.7
Series 980/100                          22.0
Series 980/200                          37.0
Series 980/300                          49.0
Series 980/400                          59.0
Series 917LX                            10.0
Series 937                              10.0
Series 947                              10.0
Series 957                              16.0
Series 967                              20.0
Series 977SX                            26.0
Series 987                              32.0
Series 987/150                          45.0
Series 987/200                          60.0
Series 918                              10.0
Series 928                              14.0
Series 968                              21.0
Series 978
Series 987/150                          25.0
Series 939SK                            28.0
Series 959KS/100                        35.0
Series 987/150                          45.0
Series 987/200                          60.0
Series 959KS/200                        62.0
Series 988                              39.0
Series 959KS/300                        86.0
Series 959KS/400                       110.0
Corporate Business System 990           28.0
Corporate Business System 992/100       35.0
Corporate Business System 992/200       60.0
Corporate Business System 992/300       81.0
Corporate Business System 992/400      100.0
Corporate Business System 991           33.0
Corporate Business System 995/100       42.0
Corporate Business System 995/200       71.0
Corporate Business System 995/300       96.0
Corporate Business System 995/400      118.0
Corporate Business System 995/500      139.0
Corporate Business System 995/600      160.0
Corporate Business System 995/700      180.0
Corporate Business System 995/800      200.0