New(ish) machine/system available - name sought

Hi Folks,

Since I needed something to keep busy (!!!) during lockdown, I’d like to introduce a new-ish computer system we have available.

The computer combines a high end ARM board (Ti) with a Windows or Linux Intel/AMD system in one box. It’s very reminiscent of the RiscPC days, although not crippled by shared bus/memory.

Right now, I have a 24 thread (12core) AMD Ryzen system running at the same time as Ti RISC OS, with one power input and a single set of controls etc. It is running a mid-range graphics card and full-size (ie. ATX) motherboard for expansion. Of course, this is fully configurable to your needs – we tailor it to meet your needs.

The key aspect of this is that there doesn’t really need to be any compromises. The PSU can run high end gaming graphics cards for the ultimate gaming rig, and up to 32 core CPUs if needed. We actually have two different designs depending upon how you wish to configure the machine, and what combination of drives etc are required, and water/liquid-cooling options are available. Also configurable RGB lighting if that’s your thing.

Alternatively, you can go light on the PC/Win/Linux side, and basically have a small file-serving/print-sharing (UniPrint)/web browsing board to work around the limits of RISC OS as needed.

It is also possible to share resources between the systems – for example, a RAID hard drive array could be accessible from RISC OS for data protection and >256 GB storage.

You could also run one in a window of the other if so desired.

Such a behemoth needs a name, and that’s where you guys come in. Suggestions include “Risc+PC”, “ARMageddon” (two worlds colliding), “ARMaxi” (ie. the opposite of an ARMini), “ARMaster”. The ARM names imply that a genuine ARM CPU is present as opposed to our RISCube range which uses virtual ARM/RISC OS emulation. However, I quite like Risc+PC or RISC+PC since it reminds me of what Acorn were trying to achieve with the RiscPC. I just thought of another idea… “UniTi”

However, I reckon you guys can do better, or at least say which is your favourite.

The systems are undergoing final tests now, but are effectively available to order now – we’d intended to show this at Wakefield. The computers are likely to start at around 1000-1200 pounds (the platinum-rated PSU is roughly 250 pounds on its own), although if you go all-out, the sky’s the limit. If you already have a working Titanium board, upgrades are available.

hARMony, ’ARMony or ARMony?
Too cheesy and a lttle lightweight? :-)

I quite like Risc+PC or RISC+PC

Waaay too similar to “RiscPC” and will get messed up in Google searches (it strips punctuation).

I like ARMaxi, it’s a sort of symbiotic balance with the ARMini, don’t you think?

If you’re wanting to go down the similar road to Acorn, with Risc+PC, how about the Monica or the Rachel (instead of the Phoebe)?

Monica

ARMonica? hARMonica?

Tix? (Titanium + x86) “It ticks all the boxes!” – the tag lines basically write themselves

Tix?

And RISC Tix could be reminiscent of RISCiX, appropriate when running Unix/Linux on the other side.

Whilst my usual choice of nomenclature for things like this is often described as dubious, what about ARMor?

See what I did there? :-)

Sounds very intriguing. Can we see some pictures of the machine? Some internal shots would be nice too.

How about ArmPC?

Actually I like the Name RISC+PC since it reminds me of the RiscPC of course but it also expresses what it actually is ;-)

Anyway would like to know more about the system and how it works. Do you put two motherboards in one case and have some kind of USB switch or how do you combine both systems?

ARMposite
Tiposite
Ti-bined
Armbined

ARMtell for ARM and Intel

what about ARMor?

Seems a letter short – ARMore because there’s more in it.

Titanium+ for me.

Lee S / Michael G – I can supply some stock case photos quite easily, but the internals right now are rather, erm, quick and dirty. The 12-core AMD board is actually for another job, but I wanted to put something “meaty” in it to see how it all held together. My main concern was stability and PSU compatibility with the Ti board.

There are actually two designs that I have here, depending on what the customer fancies. One allows for more drives (specifically CD/DVD drives) but restricts motherboard size (MicroATX + ITX, although Ti will fit in the ITX space with adjustments to fans). The other design allows for more elaborate cooling and RGB etc, and supports a full-sized ATX motherboard along with the Ti, but at the expense of CD/DVD drive bays (ie. like the majority of modern PC cases).

Since my current RISCube uses an ITX board anyway, I’m likely to move my own system over to the ITX+MicroATX design, but time is a limiting factor!

I just thought of another idea… “UniTi”

I like that one, although I have found a Uniti range of HiFi equipment – https://www.naimaudio.com/range/all-in-one-player

Maybe “UniTi PC”?

I would like TiX, it is short and easy to remember.
Jeffrey had an excellent idea for that name

The computers are likely to start at around 1000-1200 pounds

Wow. That’s eh…
What about ARMoney?

What about ARMoney?

He did point out it’s a platinum plated power supply. And maybe a shiny chrome box, so you can gleefully shout “WITNESS ME!” when you press the power button and the thing boots in a couple of seconds (well, the RISC OS side, at least).

;-)

Seriously though, a five second search on Amazon brought up this: https://www.amazon.com/AMD-24-Thread-Unlocked-Processor-Motherboard/dp/B07ZLFHZ88
Which indicates that it’s nearly $800 for an AMD 12 core processor and motherboard (each costing about half that). Not including box, PSU, harddisc, anything to do with RISC OS… and that’s a $ price. We all know that $ → £ uses unfavourable logic…

Not saying that this is the hardware involved, I don’t know any more about it than you do, just pointing out that meaty PCs don’t come cheap.

it’s a platinum plated power supply

For avoidance of doubt, I’m taking the …. :-)

He said “platinum rated” which means that the PSU should be listed here: https://www.plugloadsolutions.com/80PlusPowerSupplies.aspx
That will determine whether it is an efficient and effective power supply with an actual certification, or some marketing bollocks that is supposed to sound good.

To give some idea of the (hoped for) quality, the warranty on the PSU I mentioned is 12 years. And to answer Rick (the “platinum plated” made me laugh), yes, it is on that list, albeit under the original constructor’s brand rather than final retail. For those unfamiliar with the PSU industry, many of the more well known consumer/PC brands are actually based on a smaller number of original designs from the likes of Superflower or Seasonic.

Also, interstingly, the Ryzen boots to desktop in almost exactly the same time as the RISC OS board, maybe even a hair faster, and I haven’t enabled fast-boot yet. A PCI-E 4.0 SSD probably doesn’t hinder things (rated up to 5000 MB/sec). That wee beastie has a 5 yr warranty.

Note – for the record, I’m not suggesting that every machine will be configured like this – as Rick has pointed out, a 12 core Ryzen plus board is big money. Add PSU (250) and Ti board (500) and the maths doesn’t work out. But each system can be configured as you wish – not everyone needs a 24 thread CPU! I’m also looking at an iMX6 board as an alternative to help reduce cost of the RISC OS portion.

But, remember, many folks here buy Apple kit, and most Macs are well north of 1k (for just one computer!), and even their phones are now too. My point is, there’s an audience who appreciates (hoped for) quality kit and engineering.

Now that’s got me thinking – Macs use Intel PC parts/motherboards/chipsets now… Mac and RISC OS 5 capable hardware in one box?

As it is a 2 CPU computer how about Orthrus? According to Greek mythology a 2 headed dog.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orthrus

Yes, I stumbled across that earlier Kevin – great minds eh? Also Janus the two headed Roman god looking forwards and backwards.

How about “ARMulTi” which combines ARM with Multi(ple operating systems) with Ti(tanium).

Likening it to something with two heads is wrong – a ‘headless’ system is one without a monitor, so one with two heads has two screens attached, rather than two different CPUs.

And as for looking forwards and backwards, that brings with it the risk of RISC OS being seen as the looking back (retro) part of that.

The two CPUs can be likened to two brains. Therefore the obvious choice is…

(Drum roll please…)

The Hfuhruhurr

(And the moment you read that, don’t you just know that I’ll often refer to it on RISCOSitory as the “Hfuhruhurr Real Name”) ;)