Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!cs.utexas.edu!usc!sdsu!crash!pnet01!jca From: jca@pnet01.cts.com (John C. Archambeau) Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc Subject: Re: Brain-dead 286 - summary Message-ID: <1793@crash.cts.com> Date: 10 Mar 90 21:36:01 GMT Sender: root@crash.cts.com Organization: People-Net [pnet01], El Cajon CA Lines: 71 sl197009@silver.ucs.indiana.edu (Chima Echeruo) writes: >I have read many "experts" saying that the 286 is far slower than a 386. >I have a 20Mhz 286 and I am yet to find a DOS computer in my college that >performs faster than the 286 running DOS. > >I have read in Byte that there are going to be versions of the 286 at 25 Mhz. >Is this true? I've heard rumors that either AMD or Harris is going to produce a 25 MHz 286. The 286 does have a function in the world and will work with 286 based *nix operating systems. The reason that the 286 runs faster than the 386 on a MHz to MHz comparison is simple. The 286 has a smaller instruction set, but conversely, the 286 can't do the things the 386SX, 386, and 486 can. If you want raw speed and know 125% that you will never need the capabilities of a 386 then a 286 will work just fine. But the speed difference between a 286 and a 386 on a MHz to MHz comparison is very small. If you're unsure if you will need a 386 or 486 later then get a 286 that's upgradeable to a 386SX or 486 such as an ALR PowerFlex. To my knowledge those are the only machines that are upgredeable from a 286 to its younger and more powerful successors. That is the route I'm taking, I'm dumping my 16 MHz 286 for an ALR PowerFlex and plopping a 386SX board in it. I don't need the full 32-bit capabilities of the 386 (yet), just something to run 386 software. >If it is, won't a 25Mhz 286 outperform an equivalent 386 while in real mode? >The only feature that bother me in the 286 is it's lack of "flat memory" and >also a lack of 286 specific software. Yes, a 25 MHz 286 will out gun a 386 in raw computing speed. But remember, the 386 can do things the 286 can never do such as run multiple DOS sessions. Try running DOSMerge with a 286 based *nix system sometime, it crashes everytime. >I do not think that the 286 is dead, maybe it is not the state-of-the-art in >computer technology but it provides a very *fast* system for the average >computer user. If the SX does not go past 16Mhz, I do not see the benefit for >upgrading to a 386sx. Simple, to run 386 based software. With a 386SX you can run 386 operating systems and the whole works, of course you will be sacrificing some performance because of the bus being only 16-bits wide, but you are running things such as DesqView 386, SCO Xenix 386, Concurrent DOS 386, etc. That's the function of the 386SX, to provide 386 compatability at an almost 286 price. >When the 586 is ready for shipping by Intel, we will hear again how the 386 >is brain-damaged and not able to run the lastest sofware that is emerging. Not really, the 386 handles *nix based operating systems just fine. I see the 386 making *nix the new standard OS and if you want your DOS applications, you can still have them with VP/ix. The 386 is playing a significant role in the determination of what the next standard OS will be. DOS is about to head out the door, or maybe it will still be used, but in a manner such as VP/ix. Your OS will be able to run multiple DOS sessions. Everything else after the 386 is just a better mouse trap. >When MicroSoft came out with OS/2, PC/XT owners were advised to can their >machines and lay down the cash for a 286. After three years not much has been I wouldn't run OS/2 on my 286 if you paid me. Xenix takes up less memory than OS/2 which is a memory hog. Geez, just the word OS/2 makes me nauseous. // JCA /* **--------------------------------------------------------------------------* ** Flames : /dev/null | My opinions are exactly that, ** ARPANET : crash!pnet01!jca@nosc.mil | mine. Bill Gates couldn't buy ** INTERNET: jca@pnet01.cts.com | it, but he could rent it. :) ** UUCP : {nosc ucsd hplabs!hd-sdd}!crash!pnet01!jca **--------------------------------------------------------------------------* */