286 overclocking - good/bad? \ VOGONS

286 overclocking - good/bad?

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First post, by snorg

Posted on 2017-08-08, 17:45

snorg Offline

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I have an 8mhz 286 in one of my systems and wondered about the safety of overclocking to 10mhz. How much headroom did these early 286 models have? This is an AMD 286, btw.

I'd like to give it a try, but I realize that this would require replacing the clock crystal. If this is not likely to work, then I guess I will leave well enough alone.

Reply 1 of 2, by BloodyCactus

Posted on 2017-08-08, 19:36

BloodyCactus Offline

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The speed of the chip is tied to several support chips, depending on the chipset used on the 286 mobo. Often the speed is also tied directly to the chipset, but some chipsets supported a range of speeds.

its not really worth it. Your best bet is to see if you can get a harris 16 or 20mhz 286 chip and the correct oscillator and see if it works.

Also note that the cpu's oscillator may or may not be tied into the isa bus so overclocking can increase the speed on the bus which can have negative affects on the cards on the bus expecting 8mhz.

A lot would depend on the chipset, but honestly going from 8mhz to 10mhz is not worth it.

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