Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!swrinde!elroy.jpl.nasa.gov!mahendo!wlbr!lonex.radc.af.mil!andrewsh
From: andrewsh@lonex.radc.af.mil (Harold G. Andrews II)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc.hardware
Subject: Re: Comparing 486 to 386 Systems
Message-ID: <1991Apr4.142742.20601@lonex.radc.af.mil>
Date: 4 Apr 91 14:27:42 GMT
References: <40409@netnews.upenn.edu> <1991Apr4.062503.1325@agate.berkeley.edu>
Organization: Rome Laboratory, Griffiss AFB, NY
Lines: 28

In article <1991Apr4.062503.1325@agate.berkeley.edu> c60b-1eq@web-1c.berkeley.edu (Noam Mendelson) writes:
>In article <40409@netnews.upenn.edu> jer@pender.ee.upenn.edu writes:
>>I am planning to purchase a 386/33Mhz system, but I am still not
>>sure whether to wait a little longer for the proces of 486 systems
>>to drop. Can anyone point me to some discussions on the Net, or
>>articles, comparing the EXTRAs that come with a 486 System.
>
>One of the more significant differences between the 486 and 386
>is that the 486 has a built in math coprocessor.  If you don't make
>use of the math coprocessor, IMHO a 386/33 system would be a better
>buy than a 486/33.

     Yeah, but...

     The 486 also has an internal 8K cache which offers a substantial 
performace improvement over a 386 with an external cache.  If you can get away 
with using the 386, then sure buy it.  If you want more power, get the 486.


-Andy

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* Harold G. "Andy" Andrews II, 1Lt, USAF  *  "Many the man whose punctuality  *
* andrewsh@lonex.radc.af.mil              *   serves only to warm his chair." *
* Rome Laboratory/IRRE                    *                                   *
* Griffiss AFB, NY 13441-5700             *   - M. Kabrisky                   *
* (315) 330-7788  (AVN Prfx 587)          * (Not an official  USAF viewpoint) *
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