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From: stdtm@uokmax.uucp (Timothy A. Melton)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc.misc
Subject: Re: Buying a 386, please HELP!?!
Message-ID: <1990Aug17.203152.20648@uokmax.uucp>
Date: 17 Aug 90 20:31:52 GMT
References: <2366@dsacg2.dsac.dla.mil> <1249800002@S55.Prime.COM> <1990Aug17.180307.11017@mintaka.lcs.mit.edu>
Organization: Engineering Computer Network, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK
Lines: 30

In article <1990Aug17.180307.11017@mintaka.lcs.mit.edu> mikew@proton.LCS.MIT.EDU (Michael B. Williams) writes:
>In article <1249800002@S55.Prime.COM>, CUMMINGS@S55.Prime.COM writes:
>|> 
>|> 386:  I would recomend a 386SX, especially if you plan on running
>MS-DOS on it.
>|>       Memory upgrades will be cheaper (because you can upgrade in 1/2 the
                                                           ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
>|>       increments a full 386 needs (16 bit memory vs 32 bit memory).
          ^^^^^^^^^^
>|> 
>
>You have GOT to be kidding.  There is NO difference between so-called
>``16-bit'' memory and ``32-bit'' memory; they are exactly the same thing
>and cost exactly the same amount.  In fact, the term ``16-bit memory''
>is a misnomer; it actually refers to memory that is accessed 16 bits at
>a time.  If you access it 32 bits at a time (via the motherboard, EISA
>or MCA bus) it instantly and magically becomes ``32-bit memory.''
>

Try reading the article you are responding to next time.  If you upgrade a
'386 DX (at least w/ DRAM) you MUST add 36 chips at a time (2MB w/ 256K
chips or 4MB with 1MB chips).  On an AT, you can upgrade 18 chips at a time
(1 or 2MB).  This is what he was clearly refering to.  Try putting the
flamer on 'safe' next time to prevent accidental discharge 8-).


-- 
____________________________________________________________________________
Timothy A Melton                             University of Oklahoma
stdtm@uokmax.ecn.uoknor.edu            Department of Chemical Engineering