mea1@uafhcx.uucp (Mark _E_ Amos) (07/24/90)
In article <292200022@trsvax>, ken@trsvax.UUCP writes: > > > I was reading the July 16, 1990 issue of PC Week and saw an ad that caught > my eye. Advanced Micro Devices is advertising an 80C287 math coprocessor > for only $99.00. I could not believe it. Does anyone know anything about > it (ie. speed) or even how reliable the company's products have been in the past. The only thing that makes me skeptical is that the company adds, in very > small print, that you are "limited to two lifetime replacements per > person." I know components do not fail very often but this does not > exactly install confidence in them. > I tried to post this reply once but I don't think it took so here goes - hope it's not a repeat... I recently read an article in the EE Times about the AMD 80C287, and it went into some detail about the fact that AMD has the genuine Intel microcode through a contract they signed in 1976. Intel is currently battling to prove the 80287 code is not included, but in the meantime we have a $99 80C287 available that SHOULD be 100% compatible. I have dealt with AMD in the past and they seem very responsive to customers, so the purchase is not of shady equipment from an obscure company, but a reputable chip maker. Further, the target market (says AMD) for this chip is the "rest of us" who cannot afford Intel's scalping. They intend to sell tons of these, so I would speculate that much testing has been done to ensure it is correct. I have had direct experience with AMD as an OEM, buying and using tons of EPROMs and microcontrollers, so I can vouch for their validity and quality. The only precaution I would take is buying from a reputable distributor, so as return would be easier if there were something awry. Further, the speeds are supposed to range up to the fastest '286 AT bus... I have no definate on this so please ask the seller - or AMD. BTW, this litigation between Intel and AMD would mean 386 microcode availablity to AMD if they win... (486 is not included, tho). mea1@uafhcx.uark.edu - University of Arkansas, Fayetteville Computer Science Engineering Disclaimer: What, me worry?