Simon ZerafaIf you ever fancied buying a Cray T3D Super Computer, now might be the time 🙂🤷♂️
7heoFor a system weighting over 4 tons, that is essentially useless by today's standards, and that must be picked up at the buyer's expense within three weeks of the sale, I feel like 80k USD is a little bit too high of an asking price.
Sure, the tech is interesting, and the historical relevance is definitely a plus, but still, I would be surprised if anyone bids.
It's a project for a museum or similar to take on.
I don't know anyone who could do it, however I don't really want it to go for scrap value either.
I mean I get it. Given the right buyer, 80k USD is actually a bargain. Just getting the cooling system made for another machine would probably be more than that. And that system is still relevant, I bet.
Problem is: people with 80k USD lying around don't usually have the hacker mindset, and vice versa.
As for a museum, maybe the Bonn Arithmeum would be interested, or maybe the Deutsches Museum in Munich, but I don't know any other large museums that feature computers...
BonkersA bit more detail here
https://www.tomshardware.com/tech-industry/supercomputers/first-ever-cray-t3d-supercomputer-goes-up-for-auction-with-usd81-000-reserve-europes-fastest-supercomputer-in-june-1996-goes-on-the-block
I'd say, the best the seller could expect is maybe a few thousand, a symbolic payment on top of transportation costs.
First ever Cray T3D Supercomputer goes up for auction with $81,000 reserve — Europe’s fastest supercomputer in June 1996 goes on the block
Dubbed the ‘Typhoon,’ this sample was installed at Edinburgh University and was listed in the TOP500 as Europe’s fastest supercomputer in June 1996.
If it *has* to go, having the storage capacity, alone and in itself, would be a challenge for most buyers.
Then there's transportation (not just the costs, but finding a contractor that can be relied upon to take this beast to its new home *within the time limit* and without damaging it at all... This is sensitive equipment, and it is not exactly designed to be transported).
And finally, there's the actual value of the product. Which could be higher than you expect (power supply, cooling system, etc) but will undoubtedly require modifications if it is to be reused. As is, and as a computer, though, given its capacities and operating costs, it is mostly an enormous paperweight. 😅
@7heo @simonzerafa yeah, I'd imagine a museum of computing would take it, if someone paid for the transportation.
Dave Plumber might but it might be to modern for his Garage collection 😉