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From: jimf@idayton.field.intel.com (Jim Fister)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc.misc
Subject: Re: 80386-33 and "double sigma rule" ??
Message-ID: <1990Nov20.153044.17014@idayton.field.intel.com>
Date: 20 Nov 90 15:30:44 GMT
References: <3720001@hpsgwp.sgp.hp.com> <15882@cbmvax.commodore.com> <2275@jwt.UUCP> <15944@cbmvax.commodore.com>
Organization: Intel Corp./ Dayton Sales Office
Lines: 28

Hi,

I'll add my two cents to the discussion.  I would like to say that I'm giving
standard information that any sales office should be able to give.  However,
any accidental editorial is my comment, not Intel's.  I hope that keeps both
me and the company clean.

Double sigma marks were put on all 386DX (TM) parts to signify that the part was
fully tested an 100% guaranteed and such for quite a long time.  My
understanding is that very few of the unmarked (and not quite right) parts
actually made it to the consumer.  If you find an old part without the
double sigma, call your local Intel sales office or Distributor for your
options.

Intel stopped marking DX parts around the middle of the year, because the
specific bug is long gone.  

Also, Intel specifies the speed of the part on the first line of the chip.
I believe it reads "A80386DX-xx    III" or "A80386DX-xx   IV" depending on
stepping.  The xx denotes the speed of the part, 16,20,25,or 33.  Trademark
is also on the chip, but above this.  Any pushing of the part beyond the
listed speed is not recoommended by Intel.

Hope this helps.  Any further questions can be addressed as described.

Greetings from the Rocking Metropolis.

JimF