Hi all,

I just got a copy of the 997 specs and thought I would forward them.

The 997 (up to 5-way) is orderable now with shipping beginning in
September.  HP expects to be able to go greater than 5-way sometime
in 1998.  The 997 processor runs at 180 mhz which, apparently, causes
some problems above the 5-way level.

The relative performance numbers are:

997-100  7.6
997-200  13.2
997-300  18.0
997-400  22.2
997-500  26.2

996-100  4.8
996-200  8.0
996-300  10.7
996-400  13.0
996-500  15.2
996-600  17.3
996-700  19.2
996-800  21.0

995-100  4.2
995-200  7.1
995-300  9.8
995-400  11.8
995-500  13.9
995-600  16.0
995-700  18.0
995-800  20.0

According to HP, customers needing a new 99X now should purchase the 996
with upgrades
because the 996 with upgrades will be cheaper than 997's purchased straight
out.

The 997 includes a new style of bus converter, the HSC Bus Converter.  I
know nothing
(reminiscent of Sgt. Shultz) except in an upgrade situation the old bus
converters
must be replaced with the new HSC's.

As far as pricing (slippery slope, indeed) all I know is that the 996-100
to 997-100
is list priced at $40,000 with a performance increase of 58.3%!

I have more information if anyone requires it but the above is a good short
summary
of the new 997.

Note:  I read the relative performance numbers from a copy of a fax so
there might
be a few glitches.

As always, YMMV...

Bill Lancaster
Lancaster Consulting
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