Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!tut.cis.ohio-state.edu!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!usc!elroy.jpl.nasa.gov!jato!mars!kaleb
From: kaleb@mars.jpl.nasa.gov (Kaleb Keithley)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.intel
Subject: Re: 386SX vs 386DX
Message-ID: <2790@jato.Jpl.Nasa.Gov>
Date: 9 Feb 90 16:49:42 GMT
References: <1990Feb8.223250.17994@aucs.uucp>
Sender: news@jato.Jpl.Nasa.Gov
Reply-To: kaleb@mars.UUCP (Kaleb Keithley)
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Organization: Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, CA.
Lines: 31

In article <1990Feb8.223250.17994@aucs.uucp> 860088m@aucs.UUCP (Spiros Mancoridis) writes:
>386SX has a 16-bit bus compared to a 386DX which has a 32-bit bus.
>If this is the only difference, why is there such a great difference
>in price?

Because Intel "sold the farm" and second sourced the 286 to everyone and their
brother.  Now Intel wants market share, and they're prepared to cut their
margin on the 386SX to get it.  (Hence the Intel billboards of a few months
ago.)  They believe (perhaps rightfully so) that most of us would rather buy
a 386SX (motherboard/system) than a 286; especially when the two are priced
within $50 of each other.  The January edition of MicroTimes (a free rag, in
most computer stores, at least in LA) had an interview with the CEO of Intel
that covered this subject in exhaustive detail.  Anyway, Intel is aiming their
strategy right at the 286 second source suppliers.  Since the DX sells well
enough by itself, and Intel doesn't see the need to cut its profit margin on
that item.

Looks like Intel learned well at the masters' knee, the Japanese have used
these tactics for years (memory chips, etc.)

Another possible reason for big price deltas, especially on complete systems,
is that the DX memory must be installed in multiples of four, while the SX
can be done with multiples of two; big difference when you're useing megabyte
simms.

Some of these opinions are the product of a fertile imagination, and very
likely don't reflect those of my employer!!!!!!
Chewey, get us outta here!
                 
kaleb@mars.jpl.nasa.gov            Jet Propeller Labs
Kaleb Keithley