jls@hsv3.UUCP (James Seidman) (10/31/90)
In article <9010282218.AA25915@cwns16.INS.CWRU.Edu> ad094@cleveland.Freenet.Edu writes: >I'm pretty sure I can use the same monitor, but what about >the card? I understand that the 386sx uses 16 bit VGA cards. >Are there VGA cards that are interchangeable between 8 and 16 bit >computers i.e XT and AT? You'll be able to use the same monitor, certainly. Now, as to the type of card... Any 8-bit card will work either in an XT or AT class machine. However, an 8-bit card in an AT will be intrinsically slower than a 16-bit card in the same machine. So, you ask, can you put a 16-bit VGA card in your XT? Well, the answer depends on which one. Some manufacturers (like us :) are very careful to insure that the 16-bit cards will work in 8-bit slots. Some companies aren't. If you decide to buy a 16-bit VGA to put into your XT, I would ask the store to demonstrate it working in an XT before you buy it. (Also understand that a 16-bit card in an XT is *not* intrinsically faster than an 8-bit card, since the bus is only 8 bits wide anyway.) Hope this helps. -- Jim Seidman (Drax), the accidental engineer. "There's a certain freedom to being completely screwed." - The Freshman UUCP: ames!vsi1!hsv3!jls Internet: hsv3.UUCP!jls@apple.com