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From: plim@hpsgpa.HP.COM (Peter Lim)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc
Subject: Re: 286 clone
Message-ID: <340016@hpsgpa.HP.COM>
Date: 9 Nov 89 09:11:29 GMT
References: <112@oiscola.Columbia.NCR.COM>
Organization: HP Singapore IC Design Ctr
Lines: 34

> 
> I am interested in putting a 286 clone together, but I can't seem to decide
> which motherboard to use.  There are a lot of makes out there, at widely
> varying prices.  While a low price is desirable, reliability and good
> performance are of paramount concern.  
> 
Seriously, why bother with 286 ? When low end 386 (or 386SX) costs
about the same ! Just look at Byte or other PC magazine and you will
see plenty of them advertised. Since I am not in the States I am not
in the position to recommend any dealers (I deal with those in Singapore).

> Also what is what is the difference between static and dynamic RAM?
> Which one is usually used any why?
> 
Static RAM is fast and expensive and in PC context only used for cache
memory of high end cached 386 machines. Dynamic RAM is the memory used
in most PC's. Why ? It's CHEAP ! (may be except for the period from
1987 to 1988) In general, as a rule of the thumb, you will need DRAM
of 100 ns or faster if you use a 20 MHz 386, 80 ns or faster for 25 MHz.
For 286, I think it's 100 ns for 12 MHz and 80 ns for 16 MHz (I mean
zero wait state). Hope these are useful.


Regards,
Peter Lim.
HP Singapore IC Design Center.

      E-mail address:              plim@hpsgwg
      Snail Mail address:          Peter Lim
                                   Hewlett Packard Singapore,
                                   (ICDS, ICS)
                                   1150, Depot Road,
                                   Singapore   0410.
      Telephone:                   (065)-279-2289