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From: paulc@hp-lsd.COS.HP.COM (Paul Carroll)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.intel
Subject: Re: Difference between a 386 and a 386sx
Message-ID: <7680006@hp-lsd.COS.HP.COM>
Date: 19 Sep 90 15:16:24 GMT
References: <1990Sep16.194605.11968@ecn.purdue.edu>
Organization: HP Logic Systems Division - ColoSpgs, CO
Lines: 23

> / jaa@sppy00.UUCP (Jeff Anderson) /  8:41 am  Sep 17, 1990 /
> 
> 386sx boards do not support 32 bit bussing.  The processor supports 32 bit
> instructions, but the memory buss (for example) is only 16 bits.  A sx is like
> a 286 with 32 bit instructions and more speed.

	Actually, it is probably better to characterize the
	80386sx as an 80386dx with a 16-bit bus.  Other than
	that, they should act exactly the same.  Saying the
	80386sx is just a 286 with 32-bit instructions isn't
	doing it justice.  (Who needs/likes 64k segments anyway?)

	As far as memory differences go, the 80386sx will only
	address up to 16 Megabytes of memory (24 address bits), 
	while the 80386 will address 4 Gigabytes (32 address bits).
	Since you only need 4 Megabytes of memory, either would work.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
+	Paul Carroll			"I don't believe there is a single   +
+	HP Logic Systems Division	 man, woman, or child alive in       +
+	paulc%hp-lsd@hplabs.hp.com	 America today that doesn't enjoy a  +
+					 lovely beverage!" - David Letterman +
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