A recently acquired part of my collection includes what I think is an IBM processor presumably from a large system.
The mounting frame is in a 3 x 3 grid. 6 modules are fitted and the other 3 locations are empty.
This thing is huge – about 30 inches square. And the weight is around 60 pounds. You can see from the blue power rail busbars that it was expected to draw substantial current.
The overall frame has a part number of 34F5089 and the module we removed for the photos has part number 34F0615.
I can’t find any information about this on the web.
Any idea what this might be from?
Here are some photos…
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- Underside of frame
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- Underside of frame
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- Underside of frame
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- Freight case
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- Freight case
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- Freight case
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- Topside of frame
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- Topside of frame
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- Topside of frame
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- Label on frame
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- Label on frame
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- Frame w/ one module removed
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- Label on module
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- Underside of module
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- Underside of module
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- IC socket for module
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- IC socket for module
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- Underside of frame with cover removed
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- Blue busbars
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- IC socket for module
6 thoughts on - Mystery IBM Processor
This is a 3090-era or later (maybe early ES/9000) panel with 9 TCMs (Thermal Conduction Modules). I don’t think a whole panel would be shipped as a spare part – normally a defective individual TCM would be replaced. So this is probably some sort of upgrade (faster CPU model, additional memory, or additional I/O support)
On the flat side of the TCM you removed, you should find 2 dozen or so Allen-head bolts. If you remove them, the top plate (which is actually a heat spreader) will come off. Be careful – it is spring loaded with lots (up to 122) metal slugs, and usually filled with thermal grease. Once you expose the board within, you’ll see up to 122 unencapsulated (die) individual chips, laid out on a nice grid, with bypass capacitors. Quite clever and thoroughly obsolete.
Hi Terry, thanks for your post. Great feedback.
BTW, it doesn’t seem to be able to leave comments on “Pages”, only “Posts”. I have a bunch of input for your “SMD Drives” page…
Your feedback on SMD drives is very welcome! I think I’ve just figured out how to turn on “leave comments” functionality. Do you mind taking another look at the SMD Drives page?
Hmmm. Commenting might not be working right – my comment on the SMD drive shows under a heading of “0 thoughts on – SMD Drives”, and I went to comment on “Pertec T8640A Tape Transport” and there’s no comment box there.
Hi Terry – it seems that WordPress requires that I switch on comments individually per page. I haven’t done so for other pages yet (just the SMD page). The reason your comment didn’t appear immediately is that I have to approve them – which I have just done. Apologies for the delay – we’re traveling on a family holiday at present.