dbr@foxvax5.UUCP (D.B. Robinson ) (07/24/86)
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The following is a summary of the replies that I have received in
response to my query on turbo cards for the XT.
By far the best 'response' (:-}) is in the July 8, 1986 "Add-In Boards"
supplement (Vol. 3, No. 27) to PC Week which has an entire article
on the subject.
BEWARE: On those boards, like the Orchid TinyTurbo-286, which use
a cache to benefit from the 286 processor that when you disable the
cache you may get results even slower than on the normal 8088!
Also note that some of the NEW IBM-PC/XT models have some problem with
these boards that REQUIRES you to disable the cache to receive reliable
service (we found that out here) - thereby making the turbo card
useless.
Good eating.
Douglas Robinson jobs don't kill programmers, programmers kill jobs
The Foxboro Company
MS 04-3A cybvax0!foxvax5!dbr
38 Neponset Avenue
Foxboro, MA 02035 617/543-8750
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From cybvax0!mit-eddie!think!caip!lll-crg!seismo!gargoyle!paladin!bobg
orchid turbo: very fast turbo, but difficult to install
(many parameters - cga,ega information etc...)
once installed, though, 98% compatable with all
software....
classic technology's
turbo (name?) : not as fast as orchid turbo, but is
supposed to be 100% compatable with all software,
and requires NO installation other than plugging it in!
I'm pretty sure both these boards support math co-processor.
Bob Goldberg
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From: cybvax0!mit-eddie!think!caip!lll-crg!lll-lcc!dual!islenet!jons
I have had experience with the TinyTurbo 286. I have a Clone and
was asked to try the TinyTurbo from Orchid Technologies. The card
I must say, was very easy to install and I was up and running in
about 10-15 minutes. The speed increase was most noticeable in
spreadsheet programs.
Let me quote from the flyer:
"Orchid's TinyTurbo 286 uses the latest technology to supercharge your PC
or XT applications to the performance level of an IBM-AT, at only a small
fraction of the cost. The TinyTurbo 286 is so small that it takes up only
half a slot in your PC, XT, or any compatible that uses an 8088 processor.
It's also tiny in price, costing much less than you'd expect because it delivers
the performance of a giant, and gives you 100% compatibility.
Because of the TinyTurbo 286's design, your system can run applications that
other, less compatible, accelerator products won't allow, including Lotus,
Windows, and some copy-protected software. No longer do you need an AT to
run Window. The TinyTurbo 286 is an ideal accelerator for spreadsheets, data
bases, networks, and programs that use Windows with the EGA.
How the TinyTurbo 286 Supercharges your Applications.
A small cable runs from the TinyTurbo 286 to your host computer's 8088
socket. Plug the original 8088 into the socket reserved for it on the Tiny
Turbo. The 8088 never leaves the system, and if you ever have software
compatibility problems, you can use the switch on the back of the TinyTurbo
to toggle between the 8088 and the 80286. With the switch in Turbo mode, the
TinyTurbo's advanced 80286 processor turbocharges your 8-bit PC or XT from
a high-speed 16-bit bus. In PC mode, your PC's 8088 is in control.
With its low price and high performance, the TinyTurbo 286 is for you...
it's the People's Choice.
Tech Specs:
Host: IBM-PC/XT, or compatible with 8088 CPU
CPU: 8MHz 80286 with 16-bit bus
RAM: High-speed internal static RAM cache
Math: Socket for 5MHz or 8MHz 80287 floating point math
Size: Half slot (J7 or J9 in an XT)
Power: 7 Watts at 5 volts
Speed: 6.6 times faster than PC (using Norton V3.0 System Info benchmark)
Software: None required. Plug in the TinyTurbo and your system works the way
it always did, only faster.
Aloha,
Jonathan Spangler
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From: Robert Burgin <cybvax0!harvard!seismo!mcnc!ecsvax!burgin>
In reply to your recent query on the net concerning Turbo Boards for the
IBM PC...
I purchased an Orchid PCturbo 286e for the IBM PC about a month ago. It
works well in general. I can vouch for a 4-fold increase in speed in some
Turbo Pascal programs that I've run in both "turbo" and "unturbo" modes.
There are some problems, however. I can't work at turbo speed with my
Smartcom communications package, and I occasionally run into problems
with Turbo Pascal programs, where the machine just hangs up for no apparent
reason. Still, it's worth it, as far as I'm concerned. I could probably
solve some of the problems if I'd take the time to read the manual and
figure out what's going on.
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From: cybvax0!mit-eddie!linus!ihnp4!hsi!tankus (Ed Tankus)
You might want to look into the Orchid Turbo 286e. You can install an 80287
chip (any speed) and it "effectively" turns your machine into an AT. You should
then be able to speed this board up too with all the usual goodies. I have not
used this product but I know from second hand experience that Orchid makes some
really nice products. The 286e was reviewed in a recent issue of PC Week.
Ariel and Microway also distribute accelerators for the XT. Microway sells the
Number Smasher (and 808X product) that currently runs at 12.5Mhz. I'm not sure
what Ariel sells, but a quick look in the back of any PC Week will give you
an idea.
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