SGI has refreshed its high-end 64-bit MIPS line of high-end graphics servers, workstations and supercomputers with - a faster 64-bit MIPS line-up.

The MIPS R14000A is produced by its former subsidiary in 550MHz and 600MHz flavours with the latter delivering up to 37 per cent more applications performance than slower predecessors, according to SGI.

The refresh also demonstrates its "long term" commitment to the MIPS platform, Susan Tellep, product marketing director says in a press release.

As you probably recall, Rick Belluzzo, new broom SGI Chairman and CEO (and now Microsoft bigwig) said in 1998 the company would phase out MIPS in favour of Intel technology.

In 1999, SGI confirmed its intention to introduce MIPs chips through to 2002. In a MIPS roadmappublished at the time by Techweb, SGI said it would roll out MIPS products up to 800MHz. New CPUs would be "fundamentally stepwise improvements, faster-speed grades, and process shrinks of the R10000 core".

One thing: it's now 2002. So when will Intel Itaniums make their way into the SGI line-up? ®