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Add another 386?

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First post, by snorg

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Are there any benefits to a 386sx-20 system if you already have a 386-40?
This is a Tandy 2500, not just a white box clone. I already have a Tandy 1000TX
though plus the 386-40 so not sure it makes sense to pick up another.
I'm starting to approach "you're developing a problem" territory, 🤣.

Reply 1 of 7, by Trank

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If it wont personally cost you a whole bunch money... go for it. Some problems are better than others.

Reply 2 of 7, by tikoellner

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I'd settle in the middle and get DX-33, and then some 486.

Reply 3 of 7, by clueless1

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The 386-40 will play Wing Commander 1-2 well, but be too fast for Knights of the Sky. The 386sx-20 will play Knights of the Sky just right. 😀

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Reply 4 of 7, by jesolo

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Practically all 386 motherboards still had a turbo switch header.
If your case has a turbo switch in the front, you can connect it and slow your 386DX-40 down to 386SX speeds (if not slower). Thus, saving you the hassle of having two 386 PC's.

Reply 5 of 7, by kixs

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snorg wrote:
Are there any benefits to a 386sx-20 system if you already have a 386-40? This is a Tandy 2500, not just a white box clone. I […]
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Are there any benefits to a 386sx-20 system if you already have a 386-40?
This is a Tandy 2500, not just a white box clone. I already have a Tandy 1000TX
though plus the 386-40 so not sure it makes sense to pick up another.
I'm starting to approach "you're developing a problem" territory, 🤣.

If you need to ask, than you most probably don't need it. But it's fun to have it 😁

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Reply 6 of 7, by jesolo

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kixs wrote:

If you need to ask, than you most probably don't need it. But it's fun to have it 😁

I agree with that. Although I will probably never need it, I recently built up an AMD 386SX-25 myself, just for the fun of it.
But, it is slow, compared to my 386DX-40 🤣.

Reply 7 of 7, by snorg

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Well here is the thing: it won't keep me from paying my bills, and I can find room for it. But my money might be better spent on upgrading the RAM in my main desktop.

Also, I do have my 386-40 build which I have yet to complete and which can most likely handle a turbo switch. So the only real reason to get this particular system is the "Tandy-ness" of it. But beyond the PSSJ sound chip, I don't think there is anything that makes it uniquely "Tandy". I don't think it still has the Tandy graphics mode, I think it has some sort of VGA. Maybe Cloudschatze or one of the other Tandy guys can chime in?