Path: utzoo!attcan!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!shadooby!samsung!uunet!adspp!timsb From: timsb@adspp.UUCP (Tim S. Boshart) Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc Subject: Re: i486 machines Message-ID: <355@adspp.UUCP> Date: 8 Nov 89 14:59:30 GMT References: <1263@rodan.acs.syr.edu> Reply-To: timsb@adspp.UUCP (Tim S. Boshart) Organization: Abacus Data Systems, Inc. Elkhart, IN Lines: 69 In article <1263@rodan.acs.syr.edu> cwebster@rodan.acs.syr.edu (Chris Webster) writes: } } First of all, about the problem with 486 chips: I recall reading precisely } what the problem was, but I can't remember where. Since it evidently wasn't } on here, it must've been in a magazine. Since the only technical magazine } (only because it's the only computing magazine that I read :) is BYTE, I } assume that it was mentioned in the latest issue. The problem occurs } when a certain instruction is executed after another certain instruction. } If there isn't enough time or other instructions executed between them, it } doesn't work right. (Sorry, but that's as technical as I can be.) } } In today's Science Times section of the NEW YORK TIMES, one of the PComputingcolumns was devoted to a review of yesterday's Compaq press conference. (Today } is Nov 7th, for those of you who don't get this on the same day.) They } mentioned the two new Compaq i486 machines, but unfortunately in not great } detail. Just hype; they even quoted someone on the floor as saying "poor } ibm". Evidently the higher end model sits on the floor (sounded to me } like a tower configuration AT) and can have 2 i486's or 2 386's, or } combinations of both combos in it. For $15grand and up, it outperforms } minicomputers. (Any one have reliable technical info?) Evidently, the } problems with the chip have been worked out, since suppossively (according } to the Net) Compaq found the problems. I was in Chicago yesterday to look at the new machines. Here is some more info: The high end model is the new Compaq SystemPro. It is currently available with a 33MHz 386 chip, and will be available with a 33MHz 486 chip when it is available. The system can be configured with either one or two processors. Here are some of the specifications from some of the literature I picked up: System Processor Flexible support for 33-MHz 386 and 486 processor Design: technology; support for two system processors. 386/33 System 32-bit 33-MHz 386 microprocessor; 33-MHz Processor on All 82385 Cashe Memory Controller with 64 Kbytes of 386-based high-speed static RAM; separate sockets for optional Models: 33-MHz Intel 387 and 33-MHz Weitek 3167 numeric coprocessors. Multiprocessor COMPAQ 386/33 System Processor Board; Options: compatible with Novell NetWare 386, SCO UNIX System V/386 and COMPAQ LAN MANAGER 386/486. System COMPAQ Flexible Advanced Systems Architecture Architecture: with Multiprocessing Support integrates multiple system processors, a separate 32-bit processor/memory bus and the 32-bit EISA I/O bus for highest possible system throughput. Expansion Slots: Total of 11 expansion slots; seven 8/16/32-bit EISA and four 32-bit processor/memory; eight slots available on all models. Memory: 4 megabytes of 32-bit memory standard, expandable to 256 megabytes. Shared system memory design with 80-ns enhanced page memory. Disk Storage Base unit (386-240) comes with a 240MB 2-Drive Devices: Array, Model 386-420 with a 420MB 2-drive array, Model 386-840 comes with 840MB 4 drive array. System can be expanded to 1.5GB internal storage, and a total of 4.28GB combined internal and external. -- Tim S. Boshart | uunet!adspp!timsb | "After a time, you may find that Abacus Data Systems | timsb@adspp.UUCP |'having' is not so pleasing a thing 2707 Middlebury St. | 219-295-4290 (voice)| as 'wanting.' It is not logical, Elkhart, IN 46516 | 219-522-2964 (fax) | but it is often true." -- Spock