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  • Comparing ISA to MCA

    From Louis Ohland@ohland@charter.net to comp.sys.ibm.ps2.hardware on Thu Nov 20 08:06:40 2025
    From Newsgroup: comp.sys.ibm.ps2.hardware

    Something I cannot fathom is the performance of the 8530-286 to the
    8550(z?) or the 8560.

    Under DOS, they should get roughly the same performance, while under a multi-tasking OS (or Sidekick?) the MCA system >should< pull ahead.

    Some folks are unaware that IBM sunk $$$ into tightening up the ISA implementation used on the PS/2s...

    Of course, it's not a direct comparison. Drive performance and video...

    8530-286 15F6864 VGA controller IMSG171P-35 RAMDAC
    8550-021 72X8287 VGA controller IMSG171P-35 RAMDAC
    8550-z 15F6864 VGA controller IMSG171P-35 RAMDAC
    8560-0x1 72X8287 VGA controller IMSG171S-35 RAMDAC

    Sooo... it appears the 8550-z [-031/061] is video-equivalent to the
    8530-286
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