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As the name suggests, one of the main features of this computer was that it could run both Acorn and IBM-PC software side by side. This was achieved by a second CPU slot that could accept a daughter board with a PC CPU, such as a 486 or 586. This second processor then had shared access with the primary CPU to all the system resources. No more CPU intensive software PC emulation required!
As well as the second processor, other major enhancements included an updated video controller with the option for dedicated video RAM. The graphics chip in previous Archimedes range machines had shared the system memory with the rest of the computer which often proved to be a bottle neck without true DMA. Now the video controller could have video memory of it抯 own, removing the bottle neck.
The system data bus was doubled in size to 32bits wide, and the MEMU and IOC chips were combined to create the IOMD20. This resulted in much better overall I/O, yet another bottle neck removed from previous machines. The system memory was also upgraded to a maximum of 256MB and the memory bus was designed to use the more widely available EDO SIMM抯.
A unique feature of the RISC PC was its case. This came in the form of the base holding the motherboard and power supply, a mid section for mounting one 3.5" device, one 5.25" device and two single width expansion cards, and then a lid. The magic was that you could add up to 8 slices at any time, giving you a very easily expandable computer, and all held together with clips and springs negating the need for a screwdriver. Very neat.
There were 2 other Acorn RISC PC's. The RISC PC 700 was released July 1995 and the RISC PC-2 was much publicised by Acorn and then dramatically cancelled at the last minute.
Thanks to Paul Hadfield for his kind help.
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My Risc PC 600
My Risc PC 600 running RISC OS 4.39 Adjust. On top is my faithful Ilyama VisionMaster 17" monitor. To the right are 2 SyQuest removable drives, on top is an EZflyer 230MB and below is a 280MB SyQuest. On top of the case at the right is an ST Developments PS2 mouse converter. In front of the SyQuest drives is an Archive mousemat and Microsoft PS/2 Intellimouse. Originally an ACB25 it has been seriously updated.
Risc PC 600 (front)
The front view of my Risc PC 600, like many Risc PCs the spring holding the flap up has long sice broken which explains why it is sagging to the left. You can clearly see the Risc PC 600 on the panel. The power on/off switch is bottom Right underneath the Acorn logo.
Risc PC 600 (back)
The rear view of my Risc PC 600 with the power supply on the left. On the top next to the power supply is the Cumana 16/32bit SCSI II podule with external connector, which has now been replaced by a castle SCSI II card, and a blanking plate over the other unused podule slot. On the right top is the serial number underneath the bar code, with the ACB25 product code in the middle. Along the bottom are the ports, from left to right, Reset button, audio, video, keyboard, mouse, Network RJ45, parallel & serial. The Irlam Instruments Risc TV card was installed after this picture was taken.
Risc PC 600 with the top cover off
My Risc PC 600 with the top cover removed, On the right is the power supply. At the front, next to the power supply is the floppy disc, with the CDROM next to it. The CDROM is a SCSI drive and is connected to the Castle SCSI II podule by the long ribbon cable. Above the CDROM drive are the two CPU cards. In front is the StrongARM card and the PCcard is behind it (you can just see the blue heat sink). Both cards have now been replace by the APDL Turbo StrongARM and the CJE 586 PC Card.
Risc PC 600 with CPU cards removed
My Risc PC 600 with the CPU cards removed. In the top left you can see the RISC OS 4.39 Adjust ROMs with the white labels. To the right is the i-cubed EtherLAN 600 Network Interface. With the SCSI ribbon cable removed, you can also see the Cumana 16/32 bit SCSI II podule, which had now been replace by a Castle SCSI II card, plugged into the 2 socket backplane.
Risc PC 600 motherboard
My Risc PC 600 with the first slice, including the CDROM and floppy drive removed, to show the motherboard. At the bottom left is the 20GB Hard Disc. Above that hard disc is the on board IDE and floppy connectors. Going up the left hand side of the motherboard, there are the 2 CPU sockets with the RISC OS 4.39 (Adjust) ROMs. In the middle at the top is an i-cubed EtherLAN 600 network card. Below the Network Card and to the right is the 2MB VRAM with an 8MB SIMM and a 64MB DIMM below it. At the bottom on the right is the backplane socket.
Various Risc PC Configurations
Single "slice" StrongArm Risc PC
Rear view of single "slice" case
Duel "slice" RiscPC 600
Lower drive bay door open
Upper drive bay door open
Rear view of duel slice case showing extra expansion capability
