Display article   Subject:  New Intel Overdrive Processors
   04/30/97   18:25:19


NEW INTEL OVERDRIVE PROCESSORS

Intel OverDrive Processors -- Performance Boosters

Intel OverDrive Processors are powerful performance boosters
designed specifically to allow a simple yet dramatic system
upgrade (with certain Tandy systems).  With single-chip
installation, you can take immediate advantage of Intel and
Tandy's built-in upgradeability.

The Intel OverDrive Processor guarantees a standardized,
cost-effective upgrade.  More than an upgrade, these processors
represent a strategy that will protect your present and future PC
investments, ensuring that your PC processing power keeps pace
with the latest software.  For that inevitable time when you want
more performance from your present 486SX systems, you can just
plug an OverDrive Processor into the system to advance to the
next generation of CPU technology.  It accelerates both integer
and math performance across all present and future applications
under DOS, Windows, OS/2 and UNIX -- from AutoCAD to WordPerfect.

The retail upgrade Intel OverDrive Processor can be used to
double the speed of the Tandy 4825 SX and the Tandy 4820 SX/T.
The DX2 50 MHz Intel OverDrive Processor is currently available
in the Tandy 4850 EP.


Upgrading 486SX-Based Systems

The Intel OverDrive Processor for Intel 486SX CPU-based systems
integrates an integer unit, a floating point unit (that's the
coprocessor), a memory management unit and 8K of cache on one
chip that operates at an internal speed twice that of the system
bus.  This unique feature allows doubling the speed of present
systems without the expense of purchasing and installing any
other additional system components.

Two of our desktop computers can accept the OverDrive Processor
upgrade.  The Tandy 4820 SX/T can be upgraded from 20 to 40 MHz,
and the Tandy 4825 SX can go from 25 to 50 MHz.

The Tandy 4820 SX/T (Cat. No. 25-5140) features a vacancy socket
for insertion of the OverDrive Processor.  This upgrade is just
like adding a coprocessor, but you get the extra performance
boost, too!

To upgrade a Tandy 4825 SX (Cat. Nos. 25-5141 & 25-5142) with the
Intel OverDrive Processor, the 80486SX processor has to be
removed.  Because of the delicacy of this procedure, it is highly
recommended that an authorized Service Center perform the
upgrade.  This will insure you that the system is fully tested
and correctly done.  After upgrading, you should always run
SETUP and choose SAVE CHANGES (even though you are not changing
anything on the setup screen).  This stores the new configuration
for the BIOS and lets it know there is a new processor onboard.

Pricing is as follows:

20 to 40 MHz OverDrive Processor (for 4820 SX/T)   $549.00

25 to 50 MHz OverDrive Processor (for 4825 SX)     $699.00


Intel DX2 OverDrive Processors

Radio Shack's most powerful desktop computer, the Tandy 4850 EP,
already features the Intel DX2 50 MHz OverDrive Processor.  This
means that the 4850 EP is  preconfigured with the DX2 50 MHz
performance processor at the manufacturing facility.  The 4850 EP
utilizes the same main logic board as the Tandy 4825 SX, except
for the  processor.  Today, the only way you can purchase a DX2
processor is when it is "preinstalled" by the computer
manufacturer.  Therefore, the 4850 EP is at its ultimate speed
already and is ready for the most processor-intensive
applications you can throw at it.
