IBM RS/6000 Model 320

The RS/6000 Model 320 was an early desktop member of IBM’s POWER-based workstation family. It combined strong floating-point performance, advanced graphics and AIX in a compact engineering system.

The RS/6000 established the POWER architecture that evolved into PowerPC and later IBM enterprise processors.

Notable Features

• The multi-chip POWER implementation delivered leading workstation performance.
• Micro Channel expansion linked IBM’s workstation and PS/2 strategies.

Historical Significance

• The RS/6000 established the POWER architecture that evolved into PowerPC and later IBM enterprise processors.

Collector’s Notes

• Original IBM documentation, matching display and keyboard, and an unmodified configuration add historical context.
• Memory, storage, displays and expansion hardware should be documented because configurations often changed during a system’s working life.

Specifications

Technical Information
Name	IBM RS/6000 Model 320
Manufacturer	IBM
Launched	Thursday, February 1, 1990
Discontinued	Mid-1990s
Country	United States
CPU	IBM POWER processor at 20 MHz
Units Sold
Form Factor	Desktop workstation
Power	Internal mains supply
Networking	Integrated or optional Ethernet and Token Ring
Operating System	IBM AIX
Expansion / I/O	Micro Channel, SCSI, serial and parallel
Keyboard	Detached keyboard and three-button mouse
Storage	SCSI hard disk, floppy and tape options
Sound	Optional audio
Colours	Adapter-dependent colour
Graphics	IBM 3D or 2D graphics adapters
Display	External high-resolution workstation display
ROM	Boot firmware
RAM	8MB–128MB
CPU Speed	20 MHz