AlphaPC 164RX Motherboard

Alpha performance in a competitive PC form factor

By offering a pace-setting performance alternative to x86 and 
RISC platforms, Compaq Computer Corporation's AlphaPC(TM) 
164RX motherboard provides an easy, cost-effective solution 
for companies entering high-performance embedded markets.

Alpha motherboards are designed to use standard PC components 
such as synchronous DRAM (SDRAM) DIMMs, PCI option cards, 
power supplies, and enclosures. The AlphaPC 164RX offers PCI 
and ISA slots, onboard PCI IDE, onboard Ethernet, and memory 
support for up to 512 MB of SDRAM in an ATX form factor.

The AlphaPC 164RX is ideal for performance-focused embedded 
applications such as medical imaging, data and voice 
communications, network and Internet servers, RIP engines - 
any application where performance is critical.

The AlphaPC 164RX motherboard integrates Compaq
Computer Corporation's engineering excellence, quality, and 
performance, creating an optimal solution for today's OEMs.

Hardware features
o
AlphaPC 164RX supports the Alpha 21164PC (0.28 µm) 
microprocessor operating at speeds of 525 or 600 MHz.
o
VLSI Technology's Polaris system controller chip interfaces 
between the CPU, L2 cache, system memory, and PCI-based 
subsystems. Polaris drives the system memory bus at a speed 
of 75 MHz.
o
SDRAM memory subsystem includes:
- 64 MB to 512 MB memory
- Two 128-bit banks of memory
- Two or four PC100-compliant 168-pin, unbuffered SDRAM DIMMs
o
L2 cache subsystem supports:
- 128-bit data path
- 1 MB cache size, using pipelined burst synchronous static 
RAMs (PBSRAMs)
o
PCI bus support (33 MHz):
- Five 5-V, 32-bit, PCI slots. One slot is bridged through a 
PCI-to-PCI bridge chip and is shared with the ISA slot.
o
Integrated PCI peripheral support:
- 10/100-Mb/s Ethernet onboard with TPE/RJ45 connector
- PCI IDE control (PIO mode 4) with UltraDMA support
o
ISA bus support:
- One ISA expansion slot (shared with the bridged PCI slot)
o
Integrated ISA 
peripheral support:
- 1 MB of flash ROM for AlphaBIOS
- Real-time clock
- Keyboard and mouse control
- Diskette control
- Two UARTs with modem control
- Parallel port
- 2 USB ports
o
Standard ATX form factor and power supply requirements.


Software features
o
Windows NT(TM) AlphaBIOS firmware, which supports 
installation of Windows NT 4.0. (Windows NT operating system 
purchased separately.)

Documentation
o
AlphaPC 164RX Motherboard Reference Manual (available on the 
World Wide Web.)


Warranty
o
One year.

AlphaPC 164RX includes one of the following boards. 
Documentation and firmware are available separately.


Ordering information

Product                                      Order number
AlphaPC 164RX Motherboard, 525-MHz CPU,      21A05-B0
1 MB L2 cache for Windows NT

AlphaPC 164RX Motherboard, 600-MHz CPU,      21A05-B1
1 MB L2 cache for Windows NT

AlphaPC 164RX characteristics
Characteristic                               Specification
Power supply                                 Standard ATX PC
                                             power supply

Operating temperature range                  10C to 40C 
                                             (50F to 104F)

Storage temperature range                    -55C to 125C 
                                             (-67F to 257F)

Size                                         30.48 cm x 24.38 
cm
                                             (12.0 in x 9.6 
in)

Related products and documentation
Product                                      Order number
Motherboard Software Developer's Kit         QR-21B02-04
(SDK) and Firmware Update

AlphaPC 164RX Motherboard Reference Manual   EC-RE0NA-TE

Alpha 21164PC (0.28 µm) Microprocessor       EC-RADPA-TE
Hardware Reference Manual


For more information
To learn more about the availability of the AlphaPC 164RX, 
contact your local sales office. To learn more about Compaq 
Computer Corporation's portfolio of Alpha board products, 
visit the Alpha OEM World Wide Web Internet site: 
www.digital.com/alphaoem

COMPAQ believes the information in this publication is 
accurate as of its publication date; such information is 
subject to change without notice.  

COMPAQ is not responsible for any inadvertent errors.  

COMPAQ conducts its business in a manner that conserves the 
environment and protects the safety and health of its 
employees, customers, and the community.  

COMPAQ and the Compaq logo are registered in U.S. Patent and 
Trademark Office. AlphaPowered is registered in U.S. Patent 
and Trademark Office. OpenVMS is registered in U.S. Patent 
and Trademark Office. 

COMPAQ, the Compaq logo, and AlphaPC are registered in United 
States Patent and Trademark Office.

Windows NT is a trademark of Microsoft Corporation.

Other product names mentioned herein may be trademarks and/or 
registered trademarks of their respective companies.

Printed in U.S.A. EC-F9499-56 Rel. # 103/98 10 64 2.5 
Copyright 1998 Compaq Computer Corporation. All Rights 
Reserved.