Risc PC

The Risc PC is based on RISC technology computer company Acorn. Like its predecessor, the Acorn Archimedes, he has an ARM CPU, operating system RISC OS is used in version 3.5 or later. The first Risc PC was founded in 1994 presented with an ARM610 processor that was clocked at 30 MHz; a year later a model appeared with ARM710 (40 MHz). In 1996, the StrongARM processor significantly faster ( up to 287 MHz ) for the Risc PC was available.

Technical Description

A basic version of the operating system is stored in ROM replaceable modules, so that the computer can also be started without a hard drive. As memory widespread EDO SIMMs were used, the main processor unlike Archimedes did not have to share it with the graphics card. The main memory could be upgraded to a maximum of 256 MiB. The system has two slots for processor cards, in one of which is the main processor of the system. In the second slot, a further processor to be installed, making it possible to easily upgrade to newer processors and for example use a CPU 486 as a second, in order to operate it as the " embedded PC". This makes it possible to perform DOS or Windows under RISC OS. The case is without any screws, modular and very easy to open.

Basic technical data

These data are the same for all models.

  • Modular housing with proprietary power supply and mono speaker
  • IOMD - input, output and memory controller ASIC
  • VIDC20 - Video & Sound Controller ASIC
  • Open Processor Architecture (2 processor slots, including 1 covered with ARM card)
  • 2 x 72 pin SIMM sockets for PS/2-/EDO-RAM to 256MB (2 x 128MB )
  • 1 × VRAM socket for a DIMM with 1 or 2 MB, experimentally with more memory
  • 2 × ROM socket for RISC OS ROMs
  • 1 × network adapter socket for Ethernet or Econet network cards
  • 240 bytes of battery-backed CMOS RAM for basic configuration and real-time clock
  • DEBI expansion bus with full DMA support for slot 0 and 1 (counting starting on the motherboard from 0 to 7 )
  • Socket for 16-bit sound card ( Issue 1 and 2 motherboards, Issue had 3 motherboards 16bit sound on board)
  • 1 × Mixer connector for analog audio (only Issue 3 motherboards )
  • 1 x IDE / ATAPI connector for up to 2 IDE / ATAPI drives (hard drives, CD -ROM, removable disks, tape drives )
  • 1 x floppy connector
  • All ports on the back

Models

Successor

The Risc PC successor official Phoebe or Risc PC-2 was never completed by Acorn. In 2000, the Kinetic Risc PC with StrongARM, RISC OS 4 and memory appeared on the CPU card. This was built and sold after the end of Acorn from Castle Technology Ltd. , A provider of additional hardware for the Acorn device further. Castle Technology Ltd.. has later brought out its own successor to the Risc PC based on the X-Scale processor, the iyonix pc.

ARM architecture
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