From: kaihp@id.dth.dk (Kai Harrekilde-Petersen (Student)) Subject: Info on Cyrix 386DX/387 compatibles Date: 9 Apr 1993 23:09:47 GMT
Several have asked for info about Cyrix 486DLC and 83D87 (ie: Cyrix' 387
clone); you all get the this answer (I'm being lazy)
486DLC:
The DLC is 'plug-and-play' compatible; and runs (roughly) 50 to 100 %
faster than the Intel 386 part. This is mainly because of the internal
cache; if you disable the cache, it's obly about 10% faster than the
intel chip. I to measure the differense when using Norton System Info,
and the result says that the machine is 11.4 x a PC/XT without the
cache, and 19.8 (and even 39.4) times faster than a PC/XT when the
cache is enabled (at two different settings). However, /don't/ expect
this improvement, when running a real program. The benchmark loop in
Norton SysInfo is probably so small (and simple-minded) that it can
be entirely in the cache!
The DLC _does not_ contain an FPU - you have to buy a 387/83D87
seperately.
83D87:
It been benchmarked in PC Week (Labs), in august 27, 1990, and was
``Top Rated'' - It's faster than the Intel 387 and IIT's 387 clone
(3C87 ?). Also, it beats the 486DX FPU part, on most operations (slower
on fadd and fmul, I think), and the Weitek 486 coprocessor (4167 ?) on ALL
trancendental functions.
How to get it:
I bought my DLC through a friend (used 1 month), price: 600 Dkr (around
US$100).The price for a new DLC will probably be around $200.
I know that PRC Components (In Denmark) sells it, but they probably
won't sell it to you (they only sell stuff to companies). Try to look
through the local `yellow pages' for representatives for Cyrix; phone some
companies and ask them about who has the local agency for Cyrix. This usually
works for me, when I'm trying to find an agent.
I hope this answered all the questions raised (otherwise you'll tell/yell
me, for sure!)
Regards from,
Kai