New Computers with ISA Slots: Buying Guide
NIXSYS builds new ISA slot computers. They are new-production systems, not refurbished or surplus hardware, with 1 to 3 ISA slots alongside 32-bit PCI slots. The current range covers 12 systems in tower and rackmount chassis, priced from $1,000.00 to $1,515.00. Every system ships from Irvine, California with a 2-year parts-and-labor warranty and US-based technical support.
This guide compares every ISA slot computer in the range, explains how to match one to the cards you need to keep running, and lists the ISA details to confirm before ordering.
Why ISA Slot Computers Are Still Built
ISA slot computers remain in production use across industrial automation, CNC machine control, test and measurement, and laboratory instrumentation. In these applications, an ISA interface card, such as a data-acquisition board, motion controller, GPIB interface or multi-port serial card, is tied to software that addresses it at fixed I/O ports, IRQs and DMA channels. Replacing the card usually means replacing or rewriting the software. Replacing the computer around it, with a new machine that still has ISA slots, is usually the lower-risk path.
ISA Slot Computers Compared
| Model | Platform | ISA slots | PCI slots | Chassis | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NX370-T70 | Pentium III, VIA 8601A | 1 full-size | 3 | Mini tower | $1,000.00 |
| NX370-T90 | Pentium III, VIA 8601A | 1 full-size | 3 | Mid tower | $1,095.00 |
| NX-i95 | Pentium D, Intel 945GV | 2 full-size | 5 | Mid tower | $1,175.00 |
| NX-i295 | Pentium D, Intel 945GV | 2 full-size | 5 | 2U rackmount | $1,275.00 |
| NX-i395 | Pentium D, Intel 945GV | 2 full-size | 5 | 3U rackmount | $1,275.00 |
| NX-i495 | Pentium D, Intel 945GV | 2 full-size | 5 | 4U rackmount | $1,375.00 |
| NX-i90 | Pentium 4, Intel 845GV | 3 full-size | 2 | Mid tower | $1,075.00 |
| NX-i85 | Pentium 4, Intel 845GV | 3 full-size | 4 | Mid tower | $1,415.00 |
| NX-i290 | Pentium 4, Intel 845GV | 3 | 2 | 2U rackmount | $1,275.00 |
| NX-i390 | Pentium 4, Intel 845GV | 3 | 2 | 3U rackmount | $1,275.00 |
| NX-i490 | Pentium 4, Intel 845GV | 3 | 2 | 4U rackmount | $1,375.00 |
| NX-i85R | Pentium 4, Intel 845GV | 3 full-size | 4 | 2U, 3U or 4U rackmount | $1,515.00 |
Every system in the table has 1 serial port and 1 parallel port. Pentium 4 and Pentium D systems ship with an Intel Celeron or Pentium processor of that family.
Operating System Support by Platform
- Pentium III, VIA 8601A (NX370): MS-DOS, Windows 3.1, Windows 95, Windows 98 SE, Windows NT 4.0, Windows 2000, Windows XP and Linux.
- Pentium 4, Intel 845GV (NX-i90, NX-i85 and rackmount models): MS-DOS, Windows 98 SE, Windows NT 4.0, Windows 2000, Windows XP and Linux. The NX-i90 and NX-i85 towers also support Windows 3.1.
- Pentium D, Intel 945GV (NX-i95 and rackmount models): MS-DOS, Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows 7 and Linux.
How to Choose
- Count the ISA cards you must keep. One card fits any system. Two cards need a 945GV or 845GV system. Three cards need an 845GV system.
- Check card length. Full-length ISA cards need a full-size slot. Every model except the NX-i290, NX-i390 and NX-i490 lists full-size ISA slots; for those three, confirm card dimensions with NIXSYS.
- Count the PCI cards. The 945GV systems offer 5 32-bit PCI slots, the NX-i85 and NX-i85R offer 4, and the rest offer 2 or 3.
- Match the operating system. Windows NT 4.0 or Windows 98 SE rules out the 945GV platform. Windows 7 requires it. Windows 95 requires an NX370.
- Choose the enclosure. Towers are available on all three platforms. Rackmount chassis in 2U, 3U and 4U are available on the 845GV and 945GV platforms.
ISA Details to Confirm Before Ordering
- 8-bit and 16-bit cards. A 16-bit ISA slot also accepts 8-bit cards. Note the width of each card so the slot plan is clear.
- Resources. Record each card's I/O address, IRQ and DMA channel, usually set by jumpers or DIP switches on legacy cards. These must be reserved for ISA in the new system's BIOS so they do not conflict with onboard devices.
- DMA and bus mastering. ISA DMA can address only the first 16 MB of memory. Drivers for DMA and bus-mastering cards written for older systems usually handle this, but confirm with the card vendor if the card has not run on a system with more memory before.
- Drivers and software. Collect the drivers and configuration files for every card from the existing machine before it is decommissioned.
For background on how the ISA bus is used in current industrial systems, see ISA Bus Current Use.
Warranty, Shipping and Support
- 2-year parts-and-labor warranty on complete systems; motherboards purchased separately carry 1 year. See the warranty and return policy.
- Most orders ship within 3 to 5 business days from Irvine, California.
- Returns are accepted within 30 days of invoice.
- Technical support is based in the US and handled by engineers, not a call center.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I still buy a new computer with ISA slots?
Yes. NIXSYS currently offers 12 new-production ISA slot computers, priced from $1,000.00 to $1,515.00.
What is the maximum number of ISA slots?
Three. The 845GV systems (NX-i90, NX-i85, NX-i290, NX-i390, NX-i490 and NX-i85R) each have 3 ISA slots.
Is there a rackmount ISA slot computer?
Yes. Seven rackmount models are available in 2U, 3U and 4U chassis on the 845GV and 945GV platforms.
Can I buy an ISA motherboard instead of a complete system?
Yes. See the ISA motherboard guide. Motherboards purchased separately carry a 1-year warranty.
Related Guides
Configure and Order an ISA Slot Computer
Request a quote: sales@nixsys.com or call (866) 464-9797.