486DX/SX (was: Re: Classic != IBM AT)

From: Zane H. Healy <healyzh_at_ix.netcom.com>
Date: Fri Nov 6 21:23:47 1998

>Speaking of which, I read in a PC repair book that the 486SX is a
>486DX with certain lines cut to disable the math coprocessor. The
>thing that went into the coprocessor socket was a rebranded 486DX
>that took over all functions of the SX when installed. Anyone know
>about this?

PC Magazine back in the early 90's had something that mentioned this. If I
remember correctly it was one of the Dvorak columns. He mentioned that the
486SX was basically a marketing ploy by Intel to allow them to get rid of
486DX chips with defective Math CoPro units.

As for a Math CoPro for the 486, I'm not sure I ever saw a 487 chip, but I
always figured that they took the chips that didn't cut it as a normal
processor but had a good Math CoPro, and sold them as 487's.

I've no idea if this is true, but it made sense to me, since why through
out a chip with a good processor, with you can just package it as a 486SX,
and sell it at reduced cost. Sounds to me like everyone won. After all,
how many people really felt the need for a Math CoProcessor in the early
90's? I added one to a 386sx laptop in January of '94 when I was forced to
go from my 486DX/33 to a 386SX/16 laptop since I was mainly using it for
Linux, and didn't want to have to emulate the math functions, still I don't
know that I needed it.

                        Zane
| Zane H. Healy | UNIX Systems Adminstrator |
| healyzh_at_ix.netcom.com (primary) | Linux Enthusiast |
| healyzh_at_holonet.net (alternate) | Classic Computer Collector |
+----------------------------------+----------------------------+
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| and Zane's Computer Museum. |
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Received on Fri Nov 06 1998 - 21:23:47 GMT

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