Omarkoman wrote on 2024-04-28, 21:31:
thanks but I am not great at soldering and dont want to damage a precious rare AND working 386 system, I just want to add more RAM without breaking the bank. SIPP modules are extremely rare and cost more than the whole system cost me which was already a bit.
You don't have to. The SIPPs aren't worth their price in my opinion, so it's kind of good they're rare. 😉
In practice, SIPP sockets are really just a cheap substitute for proper SIMM sockets.
Real SIPPs also came in slow (120ns and up) and low-capacity versions. The 256KB type was most popular, I think.
A modern SIMM module (80ns or less) with attached pins is much more practical, I think.
Especially on a 386 motherboard.
Maybe you can find modern SIPPs (replica etc) on eBay or in other places.
Sometimes people sell such things they've made on their own.
Just keep in mind though: A 386 needs 4x same type for a bank, a 286 2x same type.
It's because of bitness. SIPPs/SIMMs are 8-Bit wide, the 386 has 32-Bit data width, the 286 has 16-Bit data width.
Also, it seems that your board has numbers on the SIPP sockets. 1 and 30. This may help to find out correction orientation of RAM modules. It's just a guess, though.
Good luck! 🙂👍
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