[Risc PC Computers] [Computers]
In September 1996 Acorn launched the StrongARM RiscPC. The StrongARM RiscPC is similar to the RiscPC 700, but has a 202MHz StrongARM CPU and RISC OS 3.70. The main differences between the models were increasing memory, larger hard discs and, optionally, CD_ROM drives. The models include:
Later Acorn produced StrongARM Risc PCs with 233MHz StrongARM CPU . Once again models differed in memory and hard disc sizes and, optionally, CD-ROM drives. The models include:
I have a StrongARM Risc PC (SRP26) with a CPU Card with a 160MHz CPU overclocked to 202MHz. I think I have seen another example in the past. I don't know if it was a shortage of 202/233MHz StrongARM CPUs or Acorn saving money which resulted in use of overclocked CPUs but I don't think I have seen this in any Acorn Catalogue or Price List.
See Risc PC Computers for general Risc PC documents.
Here is an SRP26 233MHz StrongARM RiscPC. It has an Acorn 233MHz StrongARM CPU, CJE Micros AMD5x86 PC Card and an i-cubed EtherLan 600 combo network card installed. It has a single case slice and an Acorn 2 way backplane. It runs RISC OS 3.70. I bought this computer on ebay in August 2009.
Here are some pictures:
Acorn (SRP26) StrongARM Risc PC
The StrongARM Risc PC is shown with an Acorn AKF60 monitor, running RISC OS 3.70.
Acorn (SRP26) StrongARM Risc PC (front)
The front of the StrongARM Risc PC shows the CD-ROM drive on the left and the floppy disc drive on the right. Like many Risc PC's the spring holding the front flap up has broken.
Acorn (SRP26) StrongARM Risc PC (right)
Acorn (SRP26) StrongARM Risc PC (back)
The back of the StrongARM Risc PC showing, from left to right:
The serial number (80-SRP26-1170062) is above the printer port.
Acorn (SRP26) StrongARM Risc PC (top)
Acorn (SRP26) StrongARM Risc PC with top cover removed
Removing the top of the StrongARM Risc PC showing, from left to right:
Acorn (SRP26) StrongARM Risc PC with CPUs and backplane removed
Removing the CPU cards exposes the RISC OS 3.70 ROM in the top left and the RAM modules in the middle right.
Acorn (SRP26) StrongARM Risc PC with CDROM and Floppy drive removed
Removing the case slice and the CD-ROM and floppy disc drive exposes:
Acorn (SRP26) StrongARM RiscPC motherboard
The StrongARM Risc PC motherboard is an issue 3 board (part number 1208,000) with 16 bit sound. It shows:
Here is a HiRes picture of the Acorn SRP26 StrongARM RiscPC motherboard .
This SRP26 StrongARM Risc PC is unusual because the CPU is a 160 MHz StrongARM clocked at 200MHz. It also has an IFEL 16/32MB RAM Upgrade and an i3 combo EtherLan 600 Network card . It has a single case slice and an Acorn 2 way backplane.
Here are some pictures:
Acorn (SRP26) StrongARM Risc PC
This StrongARM Risc PC has been upgraded and is running RISC OS 4.02.
Acorn (SRP26) StrongARM Risc PC (front)
Unlike many Risc PCs, the spring is still there and keeps the front flap up. Note the flap says Risc PC and not Risc PC 600 or Risc PC 700.
Acorn (SRP26) StrongARM Risc PC (back)
The back of the StrongARM Risc PC showing, from left to right:
The serial number (80-SRP26-1170775) is above the printer port.
Acorn (SRP26) StrongARM Risc PC with top removed
Theis picture shows the StrongARM CPU card above the CD-ROM drive, part of the i3 network card in the middle of the back, the back plane above the floppy disc drive and the 103W power supply on the right.
Acorn (SRP26) StrongARM RiscPC with CDROM and floppy drive removed
With the case slice, CD-ROM, floppy disc, backplane and CPU card removed, you can see the ribbon cables that connect the CD-ROM and hard disc drive to the IDE socket and the floppy disc drive to the floppy disc socket on the motherboard. You can also see the power cables.
The most notable point in the picture is that the battery has been removed from its location on the right of the motherboard next to the power supply, in it place is a socketted rechargeable AAA battery has been wired to the motherboard. The battery is at the front of the case below the power cables.
Acorn (SRP26) StrongARM Risc PC with cables removed
With the ribbon cables removed you can see:
Acorn (SRP26) StrongARM Risc PC motherboard
The motherbard is an issue 3 board (part number 1208,000) with 16 bit sound. It shows:
Here is a HiRes picture of the Acorn (SRP26) StrongARM Risc PC motherboard .
Specifications:
Serial No. | 80-SRP26-1170062 | 80-SRP26-1170577 |
Unique identity | 0050A401D8B3 | 0050A401C953 |
Motherboard part no. | 1208,000 | 1208,000 |
Motherboard serial no. | SMB0000060 | SMB0002454 |
CPU Card part no. | 1111,150 Issue 3 | 1111,150 issue 3 |
CPU card serial no. | n/a | 80-ART10-0007537 |
CPU Type | StrongARM | StrongARM |
CPU Model | SA-110S | SA-110K |
CPU Clock | 236MHz | 202MHz |
Memory Controller | IOMD21 rev A | IOMD21 rev A |
Memory | 24MB | 64MB |
Memory Clock | 16MHz | 16MHz |
Video Controller | VIDC20 | VIDC20 |
PCcard part no. | Gemini II 111,070 Issue 1 | n/a |
PCcard serial no. | 80-CJE59-1001060 | n/a |
PCcard CPU | AMD 5x86 | n/a |
Floppy Disc Drive | Sony MPF920-H | Sony MPF920-H |
Hard Disc Controller | on board IDE | On board IDE |
Hard Disc Drive | 1.2GB Seagate ST31276A | 1.2GB Seagate ST31276A |
CDROM | Sony CDU311 | Sony CDU311 |
Backplane Model | Acorn 2 way backplane MBT1018208 | Acorn 2 way backplane MBT-104492 |
Backplane part no | 0197,101 | 0197,101 |
Podule 0 | n/a | n/a |
Podule 1 | n/a | n/a |
Podule 2 | n/a | n/a |
Podule 3 | n/a | n/a |
NIC | i3 EtherLan 600 600,004 | i3 EtherLan 600 600,004 |
OS | RISC OS 3.70 | RISC OS 4.02 |
OS Date | 30 Jul 1996 | 10 Aug 1999 |
SICK v1.28 Dhrystone/sec kWhetstones/sec | 422277.0 2613.3 | 361940.0 2440.6 |
ARMSi v4.0 MIPS | 156.20 | 141.84 |