nzhong@ironwood.math.ucla.edu (10/21/90)
I am planing to buy a 386-system and have something not clear. I'd apologize
if these questions are easy or often asked or silly.
1 Can a 386-33 system (or 386-25) run the old programs designed for 8088?
for 80286? They said a 386-SX can do it but SX is too slow.
2 Can a 1024*768 multscan SVGA run the old programs designed for CGA and EGA?On which level is SVGA compatible to EGA?
3 What does a cache do? Is it really helpful?
4 If the computer is used mostly for computer-graphics, is it very important
to buy a 80387? It's expansive you know.
5 Finally, some non-named machine sells very cheap. I mean,much cheaper than
NORTHGATE, GATEWAY, ZEOS, SWAN, EPSON,... is it reliable? Can I trust them?
So the basic problem is that I have lots of old software for 8088, and I don'tseem to have much money to buy those 386-software. The compatiblity to 8088 is
the bigest question to me.
Any help by e-mail or by news is appreciated. Thanks a lot.
nzhong@math.ucla.edu smsmith@hpuxa.ircc.ohio-state.edu (Stephen M. Smith) (10/21/90)
In article <574@kaos.MATH.UCLA.EDU> nzhong@MATH.UCLA.EDU () writes: > > I am planing to buy a 386-system and have something not clear... > > 1 Can a 386-33 system (or 386-25) run the old programs designed for 8088? >for 80286? They said a 386-SX can do it but SX is too slow. Yes; as long as it is an IBM or a compatible it will run IBM software. The main exception is that software which is specifically written to run only on a 386 cannot be run on the earlier machines. > 2 Can a 1024*768 multscan SVGA run the old programs designed for > CGA and EGA? On which level is SVGA compatible to EGA? The monitor is not what is in question here, it depends on the graphics card which drives the monitor. A multiscan monitor with a resolution of 1024*768 will run any of the earlier graphics standards (CGA, EGA, VGA, and 800*640), but only if the graphics card is designed to do that. Most cards with a 1024*768 capability are backward compatible, meaning they can display the older modes if the software requires it. The key, then, is to match the capabilities of your card with the capabilities of your monitor for the particular modes that you would like to display. Since the monitor costs two to three times as much as the card, it is usually a good idea to invest in a better card and upgrade your monitor as your $$$ allows. > 3 What does a cache do? Is it really helpful? A cache is a fast-access area where often-used data is stored. The cache for a hard disk, for example, allows the computer to store often-used disk data in it so that you can read the data from the cache instead of doing it again from the disk (which would be slower). Good 386 systems have both a memory cache (usually 64k) and a disk cache (usually 32k-64k). The disk cache is helpful if the software you use is "disk intensive," that is, if it reads your hard disk a lot. > 4 If the computer is used mostly for computer-graphics, > is it very important > to buy a 80387? It's expansive you know. This depends on the graphics applications you run. If you are talking about using your computer to play some of the newer VGA games, then no--a 387 won't speed things up (they aren't written for the 387). This is because games have their pictures already drawn; the computer just loads them into memory and displays them. But graphics applications which require the computer to DRAW the images first-hand and which are written to take advantage of the 387 capabilities will be greatly speeded up. The two that are perhaps the most common are Fractint (which displays "fractals") and the various CAD programs. Some programs won't even run on your computer if you don't have a 387. > 5 Finally, some non-named machine sells very cheap. > I mean,much cheaper than > NORTHGATE, GATEWAY, ZEOS, SWAN, EPSON,... is it reliable? > Can I trust them? Personally I would only go with a well-established, reputable company. (Would you buy a new car that was put together in somebody's garage and advertised in the local newspaper?) But this is a matter of opinion. The first place you should look is the file called "products" which is available by anonymous ftp at math.princeton.edu in the directory pub/rjc/csip. Directions for obtaining this file and using the ftp are given in the monthly posting called Frequently Asked Questions in the usergroup comp.sys.ibm.pc.misc (and in this user- group too, I think). This file is composed of short questions and answers about mail-order companies and hardware, and gives the email addresses for the people who submitted the questions to the net so that you can email them directly to see if they can help you on a particular item or subject. Secondly, it is a good idea to read in full the posting I mentioned above (Frequently Asked Questions). Thirdly, since it sounds like you are in the market to buy a 386, you should take the time to shop around and to read the various computer magazines. To understand how an IBM or compatible works (what a 387 does, how the floppies operate, etc.) it would be a good idea to read an up-to-date book on the subject. I have found Peter Norton's "Inside the IBM PC and PS/2" to be very helpful in this regard (be sure to get the latest 1990 edition). If you have further questions just email me. S. "Stevie" Smith \ + / "In every act of rebellion the rebel simultaneously <smsmith@hpuxa. \ +++ / experiences a feeling of revulsion at the infringe- ircc.ohio-state. \ + / ment of his rights and a complete and spontaneous edu> \ + / loyalty to certain aspects of himself." BTW, WYSInaWYG \ + / --Albert Camus