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- Xref: sparky comp.sys.ibm.pc.hardware:29712 comp.sys.ibm.pc.misc:14649
- Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc.hardware,comp.sys.ibm.pc.misc
- Path: sparky!uunet!zeos!kgermann
- From: kgermann@zeos.com (Ken Germann)
- Subject: Re: ---> I Need Advice on Upgrading from 386-33DX to 486DX. Also SEX!
- Organization: Zeos International, Ltd
- Date: Fri, 13 Nov 1992 04:15:57 GMT
- Message-ID: <1992Nov13.041557.16424@zeos.com>
- References: <1992Nov12.192244.2716@netcom.com>
- Lines: 94
-
- In article <1992Nov12.192244.2716@netcom.com> noring@netcom.com (Jon Noring) writes:
- >Hello,
- >
- >Now that I've got your attention, I need some help, advice, etc.
- >
- >I am planning to upgrade my 386-33DX Omnitel motherboard with a 486DX.
- >
- >I'd like to get a much faster board, since I primarily will use the 486 for
- >generating lots of fractals (using Fractint v17.2) that involve a lot of
- >calculations (both integer and floating point). I am assuming, as a
- >pc-hardware-klutz (tm), that the fpu is already built into the 486DX chip -
- >is this right?
- >
- >Anyway, I'd like advice and answers to the following questions:
- >
- >
- >1) Should I stick to the 33Mhz, or are the 50 and ?66 Mhz boards reliable?
-
- The answer to this is a bit more complicated than just saying, "Yeah,
- I think you should go with this." You need to consider which applications
- you are planning on running and what kind of money you are willing to
- spend to get the type of computer that will meet the needs of your
- applications. You want to make sure that the system you select is as
- upgradable as possible. It gets frustrating to continually have to replace
- motherboards/systems every time Intel or someone else releases a new product
- that is tastier than the one you currently own. Getting hardware to
- satisfy an itch that needs to be scratched can get expensive. You need
- to be able to say this is what I need it for now and make sure that
- the system you select will do what you want it to later. Upgradability
- and retaining the highest possible dollar value in the system you
- select is very important. Price is a concern. But, don't forget
- to consider quality. Look for systems that have quality parts.
- >
- >2) Are there other 486DX chip manufacturers other than Intel? And, if so,
- > should I consider them?
- The issue of compatility is a concern that always needs to be addressed.
- The data paths that are supported by clone processors. Is the processor
- a true 32 bit processor? or is the data path from the CPU to the BUS
- being split? AMD has a 386DX-40 that I have had no personal problems with.
- But 386 technology is on the verge of being kicked out of the market place
- as far as new systems go. The 486SX, DX, and Overdrive processors are
- being pushed heavily. It won't be before too long that the 386 processor
- family meets the same fate as the 286 processor family. The "shelf life"
- of a product on the PC Market is getting shorter and shorter on a daily/monthly basis. Plan for the future. Buy a 486...
-
- >3) What brands should I consider? Avoid? (I'm willing to pay a little
- > more to get a board with proven reliability and compatibility, as
- > well as good customer support if something goes wrong).
-
- Customer support is beginning to be a larger issue than it has been in the
- past. Look for companies that are taking the time and effort to offer
- other means of support. Not all questions that are being asked are mission
- critical. Automated or electronic means of support in most cases is more
- convienent and has a potential of being very effective. The key is will
- the company you are considering buying a system from be there for you
- when the system is down? What is it they are willing to do for you when
- your system does go down?
-
- There are four areas that people like to communicate by
- - Voice
- - Fax
- - Modem
- - E-mail/BBS.
-
- What means are you most comfortable communicating with? How many
- of these areas are offered by the company your are considering for
- contacting the departments in the company you need to get a hold of?
-
- The key for most of us that are reading this is: Can they be reached on
- the Internet? What information are they willing to provide or willing
- to do for you when they read that message from you?
-
- >4) Is upgrading as simple as swapping boards, or do I also have to change
- > any other hardware? Could system reconfiguration be a problem?
-
- This depends on the type of motherboard you have in the system,
- the size of the new motherboard and the size of the case you currently
- own.
- >
- >5) Will the 586 be out soon that maybe I should wait?
-
- The Pentium will be released sometime in 93. I wouldn't wait for it.
- >
- None of the information provided above is intended to point towards
- you buying a system from ZEOS. Anyone buying a PC has the right to
- make a choice of what system they want to buy.
-
-
- --
- Ken Germann ZZZZ EEEE OO SSS ZEOS International, Ltd.
- support@zeos.com INET Z E O O S Technical Support Dept.
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- VOICE Z E O O S St. Paul, MN 55112
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