Hey.. My purpose is "because it sounds like fun".
In reading your email, it doesn't' seem like I can really just throw in a new CPU. I wouldn't be opposed to a new MOBO, power supplies, & CPU, but that sounds like it will start to get expensive. I don't know the value of a 'current' Alpha ev67? <-- it the most current ? Then of course I would probably need all new memory, so this exercise just got real expensive.. hmmmm The panda Boxes are 7RU blue metal with an aggressive "V" cut in the middle. I' haven't taken a picture of them yet, but I could post a pic if you were REAL curious. Greg. -----Original Message----- From: Stefan Schroepfer [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Tuesday, September 30, 2003 1:40 PM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Cc: debian-alpha@lists.debian.org Subject: Re: Dec Alpha 500 (panda boxes or PC164) Possibly OT Greg wrote: > > I have a couple Dec Alpha PC164 500s and a few more Panda Boxes (also 500s). Nice. PC164 boards together with 500 MHz (ev56) CPUs were sold rather chaep back in 1997. I don't know, what panda boxes are, though. > I'm wondering how much trouble it would be to throw in a current CPU ?? or > MOBO ?? Which parts exactly do you want to preserve? The next generation of Alpha CPUs was *incompatible* to the "Socket 499" of Alpha ev56 and had very new requirements regarding the memory interface. The next generation of Alpha CPUs (ev6 and ev67) were introduced back in 1999 (IIRC), so what do you mean by "throwing in a current CPU"? Even if you plan to preserve only the cases and Power-Supplies: Be aware of the fact, that the original PC164 boards had "special" requirements regarding the power supply (i.e.: were not really ATX- compatible). Use Google or ask again. > Or am I just F'n Crazy ? Maybe. Regards, Stefan Schroepfer