Low-cost, high-performance PA-RISC workstation with built-in graphics, multimedia, and networking capabilities

Designing as a set the three VLSI components that provide the core functions of CPU, I/O, and graphics for the HP 9000 Model 712 workstation balanced performance and cost and simplified the interfaces between components. The PA 7100LC CPU chip interfaces directly to the cache and main memory. The LASI (LAN/SCSI) chip does most of the core I/O needed for entry-level workstations. The graphics subsystem consists of the graphics chip and the frame buffer VRAMs. By building in the features wanted by most customers and making less common features available only on low-cost option boards, the system cost is minimized for most customers.