Editing SGI Visual Workstation (section)

==Models and configurations==
The model numbers of the Visual Workstations:
*Visual Workstation 320 - Dual processor Pentium II/III ([[Slot 1]])
*Visual Workstation 540 - Quad processor Pentium II/III Xeon ([[Slot 2]])<ref name=vw540_man_it />
*Visual Workstation 230/230L - Single processor Pentium III (FCPGA [[Socket 370]])
*Visual Workstation 330/330L - Dual processor Pentium II/III (FCPGA Socket 370)
*Visual Workstation 550/550L - Dual processor Pentium III Xeon (Slot 2)

Visual Workstations were initially equipped with either a single [[Pentium II]] or [[Pentium III]] processor or dual ([[Symmetric multiprocessing|SMP]]) Pentium III processors. The 540 and 550 models support the [[Xeon]] implementation of the Pentium series, and could support up to four Xeons in an SMP configuration (only two for the 550).<ref name=vw540_man_it /><ref name=pcw1999_12>{{cite magazine
| url = https://archive.org/details/PersonalComputerWorldMagazine/PCW%20199912%20December%20Created%20From%20PCW%20Cover%20CD/page/n38/mode/1up
| magazine = [[Personal Computer World]]
| date     = December 1999
| first    = Roger
| last     = Gann
| title    = SGI 540 Workstation
| page     = 78
}}</ref> Although no SGI Visual Workstation was ever released with a CPU running higher than 700&nbsp;MHz, some hobbyists have been able to run faster processors.

For the SGI 320, the limit is dual 1 GHz Pentium III processors or a single 1.4&nbsp;GHz Celeron.

Dual 1&nbsp;GHz processors require a specific model of CPU, which is intended for Intel servers.  Further, the voltage regulator, PROM, and revision of the motherboard also have to be correct for the setup to work.

With single processors the Powerleap Pl-iP3T "[[Slotket|slocket]]" adapter and a Tualatin 1.4&nbsp;GHz Celeron processor is the limit, and is a straight bolt-in installation.  The Tualatin core gives a more modern processor, and the Powerleap adapter handles the voltage regulation to the CPU.

The SGI 540 has been reported to handle up to 900&nbsp;MHz quad Xeon processors.{{citation needed|date=April 2018}} These are the fastest Pentium III Xeons with the 100&nbsp;MHz front side bus speed of the 540.

The 230, 330, and 550 models are essentially standard PCs and have the same capabilities and upgrade limits as other PCs of the time.  The 230 and 330 are based on [[VIA Technologies|VIA]] chipsets, used socket 370 processors, and conventional SDRAM.  The 550 used Slot 2 Xeon processors, the [[List of Intel chipsets|Intel 840]] chipset, and RDRAM. The video cards these systems used are Nvidia AGP cards based on the Quadro 2 chipset, and differ from aftermarket Quadro GPUs in their drivers.

{{SGI computer timeline}}