AlphaPC 264DP Technical Reference Manual

This document is the Technical Reference Manual for the COMPAQ AlphaPC 264DP.

Published in January 1999 and marked as "Preliminary," it details computing systems based on the COMPAQ Alpha 21264 microprocessor and the COMPAQ 21272 core logic chipset, covering both the mainboard and a separate daughtercard.

The manual is intended for system designers and evaluators to aid in designing or evaluating computer systems using these components.

Key areas covered include:

• System Components and Features: An overview of the memory subsystem (up to 4GB SDRAM), the 21272 core logic chipset (Cchip, Dchip, Pchip), CPU daughtercard (housing the 21264 CPU and L2 cache), clock subsystem, PCI interface (dual 64-bit 33 MHz PCI buses), ISA interface, and IDE interface.
• System Configuration and Connectors: Detailed layouts, descriptions, and pinouts for mainboard and daughtercard connectors, including various I/O, memory DIMMs, and peripheral connections. It also explains configuration switches for clock frequency, L2 cache, password bypass, and flash write protection.
• Power and Environmental Requirements: Specifies power dissipation, DC current requirements, operating temperatures, humidity, and physical dimensions for both the mainboard and daughtercard.
• Functional Description: In-depth explanation of the Cchip, Dchip, and Pchip functionalities, clock distribution, PCI device arbitration, system interrupts (PCI and ISA), DC power distribution, and reset/initialization logic.
• System Memory and Address Mapping: Details on configuring SDRAM memory and CPU/TIGbus address mapping.
• Support and Documentation: Provides resources for customer support, lists compatible products (memory, power supplies, enclosures), and references additional Alpha and third-party documentation.