Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!bnrgate!bigsur!bnr-rsc!mlord
From: mlord@bnr-rsc.UUCP (Mark Lord)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc
Subject: Re: 20 Mhz 386 SX (?)
Keywords: Citrus and how do you do it?
Message-ID: <2208@bnr-rsc.UUCP>
Date: 15 Feb 90 22:10:00 GMT
References: <1109@watserv1.waterloo.edu>
Reply-To: mlord@bnr-rsc.UUCP (Mark Lord)
Distribution: comp
Organization: Bell-Northern Research, Ottawa, Canada
Lines: 29

In article <1109@watserv1.waterloo.edu> ssingh@watserv1.waterloo.edu ($anjay "lock-on" $ingh - Indy Studies) writes:
>But one machine was different in that it forces the SX to 20 Mhz. It was
>..
>1.) Does anyone know how to do this?
>2.) Is it worth the risk with overheating the components?
>3.) BTW, WHY does the componentry heat up?

Many places are doing this.  My own SX runs at 18Mhz (failed the 20Mhz test).

To do this, simply change the 32Mhz master crystal to something bigger,
like 36Mhz for 18Mhz operation, or 40Mhz for 20Mhz operation.  

If you get lucky, the board will happen to work at the new speed.
No all boards do.  Like I said, mine failed the 20Mhz attempt, but works
more or less fine at 18Mhz (no noticeable problems due to clock speed).

The higher frequency will tend to make the components heat up more than
they otherwise would, since the gates will be switching states more frequently.
Each state change draws power.. more state changes, more power.. more heat.

IMHO, the heat should not be a big problem.  Sure, running hotter will make
things wear out sooner, but odds are good that it'll still take many years.

The big trick is simply whether or not it works at all at the new speed.
-- 
 ______Mark S. Lord______________________ ______________________________
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