Silicon Graphics and ANSYS Partner on High-Performance Desktop Workstations

Silicon Graphics, Inc. has announced the introduction of a new family of visual workstations based on Intel processors and the Microsoft Windows NT operating system, marking the company's entry into the Windows NT market. ANSYS, Inc., a pioneer in computer-aided engineering, has endorsed this move, citing the importance of high-bandwidth system infrastructures for its simulation applications. The new workstations, designed to balance price and performance, will enable customers to perform complex analyses directly on the desktop, with ANSYS playing a significant role in this market.

Key Takeaways:

• Silicon Graphics has introduced a new family of visual workstations based on Intel processors and the Microsoft Windows NT operating system, marking the company's entry into the Windows NT market.
• ANSYS, Inc. has endorsed this move, citing the importance of high-bandwidth system infrastructures for its simulation applications.
• The new workstations, designed to balance price and performance, will enable customers to perform complex analyses directly on the desktop.
• The Silicon Graphics 540(TM) is the industry's only quad-processor Pentium II Xeon-based graphics workstation, priced starting at less than $6,000.
• The Silicon Graphics 320(TM) is a dual-processor Pentium II-based system offering the industry's best price/performance, priced starting at less than $3,400.
• The new workstations will begin shipping in February 1999 for the Silicon Graphics 320(TM) and in the second quarter of 1999 for the Silicon Graphics 540(TM).
• The systems fully enable key applications in desktop publishing, CAD, 3D rendering, modeling, animation, and video editing, vital to the work of creative and technical professionals.
• Silicon Graphics is embracing a dual-platform strategy, offering Intel/Windows NT workstations together with its existing UNIX products.
• ANSYS partnered with leading hardware and software suppliers to provide users with the best engineering environments available.

Statistics:

• The new Silicon Graphics workstations are designed to balance price and performance, with the Silicon Graphics 320(TM) priced starting at less than $3,400.
• The Silicon Graphics 540(TM) is priced starting at less than $6,000 and will begin shipping in the second quarter of 1999.
• The systems are 100 percent compatible with Windows NT-certified off-the-shelf applications.

Sources:

• "Pioneer in Computer-Aided Engineering Applauds Silicon Graphics, Inc. In Its Latest Hardware Technology Accomplishment" (PR Newswire, January 11, 1999).
• http://www.ansys.com (ANSYS, Inc.'s official website).