🚀 go-pugleaf

In article <13214.25cec56f@max.u.washington.edu> scott@max.u.washington.edu writes:
$Hi,
$I don't know whether this question has been asked before....
$but just for those who missed the answer....
$What is the difference between a 386 system and a 386SX system?
$Given the same configuration in terms of harware, which is the
$superior system?

   Yes, this question gets asked every week or two ... in fact, it was
just asked a couple of days ago.  We really need a group like
comp.sys.ibm.pc.questions.everybody.asks.every.two.days for questions
like "Is a 386SX a 386 or a 286" and "what's the difference between
extended and expanded and EMS and conventional memory".  End of
editorial.

   Anyway, the 386SX is the same chip as the 386DX except that the
SX has a 16-bit external data bus, while the DX has a 32-bit external
data bus.  Internally, they're the same and will run all of the same
programs.  But since the SX has a smaller data bus, it takes longer
to transfer the same amount of information between itself and memory,
so the DX is the more powerful machine.  Also the DX is available
up to 33 MHz, while the SX is only available to 16 MHz, and throughput
on disk drives will also be much better on a DX-based system since
the disk controller will be 32 bits instead of 16.
-- 
Stephen M. Dunn                               cs4g6ag@maccs.dcss.mcmaster.ca
          <std_disclaimer.h> = "\nI'm only an undergraduate!!!\n";
****************************************************************************
       "I want to look at life - In the available light" - Neil Peart