CDC 1604

The CDC 1604 was a mainframe computer designed and manufactured by Control Data Corporation (CDC). It was notable for being one of the first commercially successful transistorized computers, marking a significant shift from vacuum tube-based machines. Designed primarily by Seymour Cray, it was introduced in 1959.

The CDC 1604 used a 48-bit word length and utilized ones' complement arithmetic. Its memory was composed of magnetic core memory, initially offering a capacity of 4,096 words, expandable to 32,768 words. The machine's clock speed was approximately 100 kHz, enabling it to execute roughly 100,000 instructions per second.

Its architecture was relatively simple, reflecting the design constraints of the time. Input/output was handled via punched card readers, card punches, and magnetic tape drives. The CDC 1604 found use in scientific computing, data processing, and government applications.

A smaller, less expensive version called the CDC 160-A was also produced. The 1604 and its variants helped establish CDC as a major player in the early computer industry. The design principles employed in the CDC 1604 laid the groundwork for subsequent, more powerful machines from CDC, notably the CDC 6600. The machine's legacy is significant as a pivotal step in the evolution of computing technology toward faster, more reliable transistorized systems.