35 years following its introduction, and despite fewer than 100 systems deployed, the Cray-1 remains one of the most recognizable computers in history; it is a timeless icon of pure supercomputer badassery.*Custom case builder [Daryl Brach] pays homage to this classic with his third-scale model housing two modern PC motherboards.
In an interesting reversal, the base of the model — the upholstered bench that housed cooling and power distribution for the original Cray — holds the PC motherboards and storage, while the upper section is currently just for show but may house a water cooling rig in the future.*The paint scheme is inspired by the Cray-1 on display at the Smithsonian,*though Daryl’s model*does make a few modern concessions such as LED lighting.*Hinged panels in the base flip open to access the systems’ optical drives (perhaps to watch*Tron on DVD).
The Cray-1 ran at 80 MHz and could house up to eight megabytes of memory…just about unfathomable performance in its day. It’s not clear what*processors [Daryl] chose to outfit his system with, but regardless, even an entry-level modern PC doesn’t just run*circles around its progenitor, it runs*ray-traced glass spheres around it.*Technology marches on, but good design never goes out of style.
