From: John H. Kim (kim_at_stormhaven.org)
Date: Mon Oct 19 1998 - 17:01:06 EDT
On Mon, 19 Oct 1998, Mitchell Yee wrote:
> The differences between the SL vs. DX 486 chip:
>
> 1. SL has a bigger internal cache 16K vs. 8K
> for the DX
>
> 2. Although the math co-processor is still on
> the basic 486 die, it's disabled for the SL.
>
> 3. My evil memory keeps telling me that the
> voltage is slightly less for the SL vs.
> the DX. I'm really not sure anymore.
>
> 4. Because the math co-processor is disabled,
> the pin-outs are different, hence the non-PGA
> form for the SL variant (I think it's a one
> pin difference).
>
> Remember, that IBM came up with the SL variant
> of the 486 as a way to bring out a cheaper 486,
> back in the days when 486 processors went
> for up to $400 each. It sort of made sense
> back then. Sort of.
You're confusing the SL with the SX. The SL most definitely
has a math coprocessor on it (the 386SL did not). The SL was
the laptop version of Intel's x86 line. It incorporated
several motherboard-related functions onto the chip, as well
as power-saving features (low voltage, variable internal clock
speed, etc). Eventually, Intel just incorporated the power
saving features into their standard processors (calling them
"SL-enhanced"), and killed off the SL line.
The pin-out is very different from any standard 486, SX or DX.
I'd frankly be amazed if someone managed to upgrade one since,
like I said, the CPU handles several functions normally
handled by the motherboard. (grr, can't remember what they
are...)
-- John H. Kim kim_at_stormhaven.org
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