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From: jgay@digi.lonestar.org (john gay)
Newsgroups: comp.windows.ms.programmer
Subject: Re: 486sx
Message-ID: <1991May9.034926.9465@digi.lonestar.org>
Date: 9 May 91 03:49:26 GMT
Organization: none
Lines: 26

The 486/7sx has been pretty thoroughly discussed in comp.sys.ibm.pc.hardware,
but since ya'll obviously don't read that group here is a brief (I hope)
summary:

486sx is a full 486 chip with the floating point disabled.  It still has
the 8k cache, full 32 bit internal and external operation, but with a
different pinout than the 486dx.

There is a 487sx which is basically a 486dx with a different pinout then
either the 486dx or 486sx.  When the 487sx is installed in a machine then
it becomes the main cpu and the 486sx is not used.  After installing a
487sx the 486sx can be taken out of the machine (actually this is part
of ibm's upgrade for their 487sx - they get the 486sx).

The 486/7sx runs at 20Mhz.  The combination of buying a 486sx and a 487sx
is more expensive than buying a 33Mhz 486dx.  Actually the list price of
a 487sx is $795 - more expensive then either dx chip.

General feeling on comp.sys.ibm.pc.hardware (no I don't speak for them)
is just say no.  It is a crippled 486dx or an expensive 386 - whichever
way you want to look at it.  Everyone is hoping that AMD by itself or
with Cyrix (I think a good match) comes out with a 486 clone real soon
now.

john gay.
it.