From: adrian@ibmpcug.co.uk (Superuser)
Subject: Re: The ultimate 386BSD machine?	(FAQ fodder)
Organization: The IBM PC User Group, UK.
Date: Thu, 8 Oct 1992 10:21:25 GMT
Keywords: 386BSD

In article <1992Oct8.072512.8700@elroy.jpl.nasa.gov> earle@elroy.jpl.nasa.gov (Greg Earle - Gainfully Unemployed) writes:
>- I have seen some benchmarks whereby a 486DX2/66 outperforms a 486DX/50.  But
>  I saw a posting by Barry Shein that indicated that due to the bus speed on
>  the former being only 33 MHz, this would not be a good idea as doing things
>  like bitblts in X would be faster on a "native" 50 MHz system.  This seemed
>  perfectly reasonable, so it seems that a 486DX/50 is the best idea.  Right?
>

I have run 386BSD on both, albeit without X (I cant get the card and
monitor with the correct resolution at the same time in the office).
To be quite honest, there is not much difference between the two. I
think in terms of 386BSD, when you get to these speeds, either will
do. *I* would go for the DX50, since that has the faster bus system.
and generally, disk speed has been my downfall.

>- I saw a posting from Lynne Jolitz that I believe mentioned that a 32-bit
>  disk controller was the best idea.  I have assumed from subsequent postings
>  that the Adaptec 1542B is the "controller of choice", no?  OK, but that's
>  an EISA board, correct?  But now I'm confused, I thought that 386BSD didn't
>  support "EISA machines".  What's the deal?
>
>  As an adjunct to this, I expect Julian to jump in with "But an Adaptec 1742A
>  is supported with my new SCSI subsystem ... ".  Fine, but can one get the
>  system up first (with it installed) to get to the point where one can
>  recompile the kernel with the new SCSI subsystem?
>

Julians SCSI system works by setting th 1742B into 1542 mode, and then
when the probe works out its a 1742, it shoves the card into enhanced
mode itself.

The question is - if this is the only EISA card in the machine, can we
use 32 Megs :)

>- Of course, all of this begs the more fundamental questions, like
>  "SCSI or IDE?" (to which I assume "SCSI" is the more correct answer ... ) and
>  what about these new VESA VL-bus systems that I'm seeing described in the
>  new Byte, and that I'm seeing advertised in the new Computer Shopper?  Any
>  support for these?  (I assume not ... )
>

Good SCSI is better since it is faster. mediocre SCSI is about the same
as IDE. I use one SCSI disk, and that clocks in at 50 K per second
transfer rate, and is the slowest disk I use.

>- External cache.  I had assumed "the more the merrier", like 128K.  But I've
>  seen people posting problems with external caches; either 64K or 128K was
>  causing problems.  No problems if they turn the cache off, which I assume is
>  Not A Good Thing.  What's the scoop on this?
>

I have been using a 486DX50 with 256K cache with no problems at all.
I guess its just a "try it and see"

>- Serial ports; more trivial, but can I assume nowadays that I don't have to
>  ask for NS16550AFN chips, and will get them by default?  (I will want to run
>  PPP at 38400 baud over them ... )

Nope. Generally, you still have to buy them.

>Given appropriate answers to the above, does anyone have any particular
>recommendations on system packages?  Can one get a system without having
>MS-DROSS 5.0 and Windoze 3.1 thrown in?  Is it better - assuming that if one
>only wants to run 386BSD and not DOS - to buy "pick-a-part" fashion so that
>one doesn't have to pay for DOS and Windows, or is it better to buy a complete
>system from one of these gazillion system houses, and consider DOS and Windows
>as (unwanted) freebies?  If the latter, does anyone have any recommendations
>on particular system houses/systems based on price and/or performance?
>Etc., etc.
>

My system was put together peicemeal. There was a spare box, and a
friend did a swap for a 486DX50 board. 8 Meg of RAM went in from a
nother board, and a 330Meg ESDI drive was added that I literally
had lying around. Other items I am hawking on since they are soon
to be made redundant in my office.

Assuming you cant do it that way, I would suggest it is probably
easier to buy the configuration you want, and throw the packaged
software out of the window. If you like wielding a screwdriver, then
buying it piecemeal can work out cheaper (but not always!).

The hard bit for you, unless you have a DOS/SUn/Next connected to the
net is to get the TinyBSD disk on the floppy :)

Adrian

-- 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Adrian Hall					Connect Systems Manager
A.Hall@ibmpcug.co.uk				The IBM PC User Group
Tel: +44 81 863 1191				Harrow, London, UK