harnyo@grad1.cis.upenn.edu (03/15/89)
I have an Inboard 386/PC and I am thinking of adding extra memory to it. I am not sure if I should purchase the daughter board from Intel or get the Aboveboard card. Is there any difference ? I would appreciate any information from people who have done the same thing. What would be the cost of adding 2Mb memory? I am looking for a cheaper ways so any cheap sources would be much appreciated. -Andy harnyo@eniac.seas.upenn.edu
bmb@cpe.UUCP (03/16/89)
Andy,
I have experience with both the Inboard 386 (dating back to when it had a
10 MHz. 287) and the Above Board 286, Above Board 286/PS, and Above Board Plus
I/O. The cost/performance differences I have found between the Inboard
daughter card and the other Intel memory boards noted are:
1. the Inboard 386 memory board will allow the addressing of it's
memory in 32 bit words, the memory of an Above Board is addressed
in 16 bit words.
2. Intel recommends only 120 nS 256K x 1 drams for use on the Inboard
and the Inboard daughter card. The Above Board has a software setup
program that allows use of 120 nS or 150 nS 256K x 1 drams.
Some thought should be put towards your future computer system needs. If
you think you might be upgrading to a faster/different 386 system with an
IBM-AT card slot in the not to distant future, then you could probably use
the Above Board in that system. The setup program mentioned in (2) also
configures the Above Board Plus I/O to work with systems having up to a 12
MHz. bus. The Above Board Plus I/O is also supplied with a version 4.0
LIM/EMS driver.
... on the other hand ...
If your present system is completely adequate to cover all your future needs,
then the Inboard daughter card is mostly likely a better choice.
One last note, there is a daughter board for the Above Board as well. If
you choose the Inboard daughter board upgrade path, or get an Above Board
and decide to add a daughter card to it later, be sure to get the correct
daughter card for your mother board (sounds like AIRPLANE, you know, ...
over under but under done ;^) ). Anyway, the point is the two daughter
cards are not interchangeable.
Hope this is helpful.
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