MIPS R4400 - NEC VR4400MC 64-bit Microprocessor - SGI, Indy, Indigo2,Onyx, DEC, Nintendo

About this Artwork

This artwork is a mixed-media display featuring the MIPS R4400 microprocessor. This artwork includes four major elements. It has a large image of an NEC VR4400MC chip die. On the back is a narrative describing the artwork, the 68040, and the artist’s signature. Also included is an actual NEC D30412RLJ-200 VR4400MC chip.

Introduced in 1993, the MIPS R4400 microprocessors were highly significant in the computing industry. With their 64-bit architecture and improved performance, they played a crucial role in advancing graphics rendering, scientific simulations, and data-intensive computations. These processors were instrumental in driving the development of 3D graphics, virtual reality, and visualization technologies, impacting industries such as film, gaming, and computer-aided design. Additionally, the MIPS R4000 microprocessors contributed to scientific research by enabling simulations, modeling, and data analysis, accelerating discoveries in various fields. Their adoption in gaming consoles and high-performance servers further showcased their importance, shaping the gaming industry and enhancing server capabilities for network infrastructure and database applications.

Silicon Graphics Indy: The MIPS R4400 was featured in the Silicon Graphics (SGI) Indy workstation, which was introduced in 1993. The Indy workstation was a popular and affordable option in the SGI lineup, targeted at the entry-level market. It offered advanced graphics capabilities and was used in various industries, including computer-aided design, visualization, and multimedia production.

Silicon Graphics Indigo2: The MIPS R4400 was also utilized in the Silicon Graphics Indigo2 workstation, which was introduced in 1992 as a successor to the original Indigo workstation. The Indigo2 was known for its powerful graphics capabilities and was widely used in industries such as visual effects, animation, and scientific visualization.

Silicon Graphics Onyx: The MIPS R4400 microprocessor was used in the Silicon Graphics Onyx series of computers. The Onyx series, introduced in the early 1990s, represented the top-tier systems in Silicon Graphics' lineup, known for their advanced 3D graphics capabilities and high-performance computing. The Onyx systems incorporated multiple MIPS R4400 processors to deliver powerful computing performance.

DECstation 5000 series: The MIPS R4400 was employed in the DECstation 5000 series, which were workstations and servers manufactured by Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC). These systems were widely used in academic and research institutions for various computing tasks, including computer-aided design, scientific research, and software development.

Sony PlayStation: While primarily known as a gaming console, the original Sony PlayStation, released in 1994, was powered by a MIPS R3000-based CPU. However, Sony later released an upgraded version of the console, known as the PlayStation 2, in 2000, which featured a MIPS R4400-based "Emotion Engine" CPU as part of its hardware architecture.

Nintendo 64: The Nintendo 64 gaming console, released in 1996, also employed a variant of the MIPS R4300i processor, which is closely related to the MIPS R4400. The MIPS-based CPU in the Nintendo 64 provided the processing power for rendering 3D graphics and running games on the console.

These are just a few examples of the systems that incorporated the MIPS R4400. The processor was popular in the workstation and gaming console markets, offering a balance of performance and cost-effectiveness for a range of applications.

Framing: 

The artwork is framed in an 11"x14" black shadow box frame with glass. All framing materials are acid-free. A narrative about the artwork that includes the artist’s signature is placed on the back of the artwork.

Please note:  The look of the artifacts in the artworks may vary; each piece is unique.