davidph@lcra.uucp (07/13/90)
We are considering trying to upgrade an XT by either inserting an upgrade card or swapping out the motherboard. We hope to achieve 386 capabilities. Anyone with surpassing wisdom in this area please respond by explaining how to do the upgrade successfully--or reasons for not doing the upgrade. --Dave
simon@hpspwr.enet.dec.com (Curiosier and curiosier...) (07/16/90)
In article <10690@lcra.uucp>, davidph@lcra.uucp writes... >We are considering trying to upgrade an XT by either inserting an upgrade >card or swapping out the motherboard. We hope to achieve 386 capabilities. Not easily done if you want 386 capabilities. Inserting an upgrade card does not solve an 8-bit bus bottleneck. So a motherboard swap is necessary. Then you will need 16 bit disk/floppy controller, your old 8-bit one will also be slowing things down. And lastly, you may need a bigger power supply if your existing one is only 135 W. Depending on the cards (and how many of them) you want to insert, e.g., network, tape controller, additional memory, etc., even if you have a 150 W it may be not enough - a 180-200 W supply, standard for AT boxes, will be needed.. I went this route myself. First I installed a 286 accelerator card. Much faster then an 8088, but the video and disk were very slow. Eventually I bought a 386SX motherboard, as well as 16 bit both a disk controller and a VGA card and installed them in the exisiting box with a 150 W supply. I am happy with it. Cost, at a computer show in Marlboro, MA (roughly the same as mail order): Motherboard - $325 Disk/floppy controller - $65 SVGA with 512K - $120 I/O - $40 --------- Leo Simon simon@pwrvax.enet.dec.com Who is not liberal when young, does not have a heart. Who is not conservative when old, does not have a brain. -- W. Churchill