PA-RISC information - since 1999

HP Visualize P-Class NT Workstations

Quick Facts
Introduced 1999
Period Intel
Series Visualize
CPU 1-2 Pentium III
Cache 256-512 KB L2
RAM 1 GB
Design Intel BX
Drives 1 FD
4 IDE
Expansion 1 AGP
3 PCI
1 PCI/ISA
1 ISA
Bandwidth 800 MB/s
I/O 2 serial
parallel
2 USB
audio

HP Visualize Personal Workstations were Intel-based computers for Windows NT, released in 1999. With P-Class, HP complemented its PA-RISC Visualize Unix workstations. Systems A5015A from P450 to P700C were entry-level HP NT workstations, followed by X-Class.

© Hewlett Packard 1999

Based on Intel Pentium III processors up to two-way SMP capable and with Intel 440BX chipset, the P-Class started with P450, P500 and P600 using Katmai processors, updated later in P600C, P650C and P700C with Coppermine CPUs.

They were dedicated professional graphics workstations for 3D design, CAD and CAM on Windows NT, used for professional digital content creation.

1999 ad by Hewlett Packard

Visualize P-Class shared almost nothing with the PA-RISC based Visualize brethren but the Visualize graphics adapters, which they use in modified + Versions on AGP. They also were shipped with 3rd-party graphics such as Elsa Gloria Synergy II and 3Dlabs Oxygen GVX-1.

The dark-grey mini-tower HP P-Class used was similar to PA-RISC HP Visualize B1000, C3000, C3600, C3700 workstations and apparently the same to lower-end HP Kayak PCs.

Model Number Config Introduced Price
P450 A5015A entry 1999 $3,225
P500 A5015A entry 1999 $4,060
128 MB, fx2+ 1999 $4,060
dual, 128 MB, fx4+ 1999 $9,630
P600 A5015A entry 1999 $3,300
P600C A5015A entry 2000 $2,600
P650C A5015A entry 2000
P700C A5015A entry 2000

There was a technically different P-Class A6034A released soon after, based on Pentium III and RCC chipset.

System architecture

Processors

Model CPU Speed L1 Cache L2 Cache*
P450 1-2 Intel Pentium III 450  MHz 32 KB on-chip 512 KB back-side
P500 1-2 Intel Pentium III 500 MHz 32 KB on-chip 512 KB back-side
P550 1-2 Intel Pentium III 550 MHz 32 KB on-chip 512 KB back-side
P600 1-2 Intel Pentium III 600 MHz 32 KB on-chip 512 KB back-side
P600C 1-2 Intel Pentium III 600 MHz 32 KB on-chip 256 KB on-chip
P650C 1-2 Intel Pentium III 650 MHz 32 KB on-chip 256 KB on-chip
P700C 1-2 Intel Pentium III 700 MHz 32 KB on-chip 256 KB on-chip

P450 to P600 use Pentium III Katmai processors with 512 KB L2 cache on half-frequency back-side bus (BSB). P600C to P700C use Pentium III Coppermine with integrated 256 KB L2 on full-frequency.

CPUs are installed in SECC(2) cartridges in two Slot 1 slots. CPU frequencies are hard-coded but can be selected with switches 3, 4 and 5. VRMs required might be 0950-2837 and/or 0950-3310.

Chipset

System buses

Memory

Expansion slots

Storage

External ports

Operating systems

Benchmarks

No official SPECint or fp results could be found for HP Visualize P-Class, so the results are based on comparble Intel Pentium III and BX reference data.

* - assumed results based on reference data
Model Processor SPEC95 int SPEC95 fp SPEC2000 int SPEC2000 fp
P450* Intel Pentium III 500 MHz 17.3* 12.7* 211* 177*
P500* Intel Pentium III 500 MHz 20.7* 14.7* 231* 191*
P550* Intel Pentium III 550 MHz 22.3* 15.1*
P750C* Intel Pentium III 750 MHz 35.7* 22.9* 325* 219*
B1000 PA-8500 300 MHz 23.9 39.3
C3000 PA-8500 400 MHz 31.8 52.4 313 321
C3750 PA-8700+ 875 MHz 678 674

Dimensions

Model Height Width Depth Weight
Desktop 415mm 211mm 420mm 11kg

There is an LCD panel on the front of the case which shows BIOS and configuration info and possible detected errors by the BIOS, enhanced by beeps. The LCD can also be used for diagnostics.

References

Manuals

Articles

Drivers and BIOS

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