🚀 go-pugleaf

In article <92311.134450I18BC@CUNYVM.BITNET> CUNY/Spartacus <I18BC@CUNYVM.BITNET> writes:

>Isn't replacing the entire motherboard a just as good
>alternative than plugging in a new p24t (Pentium SX).  Sure
>it might cost a bit more, but a new motherboard wouldn't have
>the 32/64bit limitations a 486 motherboard would cause.

The reason for the success of the 386SX is in the fact that it is cheaper
to build 16-bit MBs as compared to the cost and complexity of building a
full 32-bit MB. As an example, a 33MHz 386sx MB costs around $100, while
a 25MHz i486sx MB costs around $200(US). Another point to consider; MB
designs require a minimum memory compliment to match the data width. With
16-bit designs, that's two SIMM sticks, which cost $60US. With 32-bit
designs, that's four SIMMs, which cost $120US (both cases 1MB SIMMS at
$30US each). With a 64-bit design, that would be eight SIMMs, which would
be $240US for 8MB or nearly $1000US for 64MB (using 4MB SIMMs at around
$125US each). So there are some real cost differences to consider between
32- and 64-bit designs.

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