Running X windows on a 16MHz 386sx

Dan Mutchler mutchler at zule.EBay.Sun.COM
Tue Oct 16 01:05:02 AEST 1990


After having done much shopping around I was able to buy the following
configuration for $2200 (including 7% CA tax):

16 MHz 386sx
4 MB Memory
80 MB SCSI disk
1024x768x8 VGA card and monitor
1 serial, 1 parallel port
keyboard
Case & power supply.

I seriously doubt that this price could be beat by a lot, since I
priced it at over 10 stores over a 2 month period.

Having loaded SCO Unix with Open Desktop on a 4 MB Compaq I know that
you will need more than 4 MB. Probably a minimum of 6 MB with 8-16MB
being better. Adding about $80/MB the price jumps another $200 easily.

I use our system to run Windows 3.0 and I find that the 386sx is
seriously inadequate for pushing the bits around on the Super VGA
card. I suspect a 25 MHz 386 would be adequate, but for that
resolution a graphics accelerator or 486 would be ideal.
--

Dan Mutchler                       | ARPA/Internet:  mutchler at zule.EBay.Sun.COM
Sun Federal System Engineer        | UUCP:           ...!sun!mutchler
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Flying back from Lubbock, I saw Jesus on the plane
Or maybe it was Elvis, You know they kind of look the same.
                     -- Don Henley



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