TBBS 2.x - What Type of Computer (CPU) Should I Buy for TBBS?

Contact:   eSoft, Inc. (Makers of TBBS)
           15200 E. Girard Ave., Suite 3000
           Aurora, CO  80014
           (303) 699-6565      Voice
           (303) 699-6872      Fax
           (303) 699-8222      BBS
           support@esoft.com   E-Mail

WHAT TYPE OF COMPUTER (CPU) SHOULD I BUY FOR TBBS?
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TBBS itself will operate on any class of PC, from 4.77 MHz XT-class machines, 
all the way to high performance Pentium based (586) machines.  How much power 
you buy depends on your situation and requirements. 

Generally, the more lines you need to configure, and/or the higher the line 
speeds you require, the more CPU power you'll need.  For small systems at low 
line speeds, an 8088-based computer (XT-class) is probably adequate.  If you 
need high line speeds (19,200 or 38,400 bps) across 32 or more lines, a high 
speed 486 machine would be necessary for maximum performance.  

We generally recommend at least a 16 MHz 386-based machine (such as an entry-
level 386SX).  When you run TBBS with 6 to 8 lines and up, you will need 
expanded (EMS, LIM) memory.  You'll need this memory with 2 or 3 lines and up 
with TDBS installed with TBBS.  EMS is easier to implement on 386 (or higher) 
platforms; you simply populate the motherboard with the required memory, and 
use an expanded memory manager such as QEMM, 386MAX or EMM386 (which comes 
with DOS 5.0 and 6.0).  With typical XT- and AT-class machines, you need to 
add a special memory card to the system.  

With regard to memory requirements, the system doesn't require exorbitant 
amounts of memory.  Many configurations will run in a basic 640k of 
conventional memory.  The maximum amount of memory you will need for a 64-line 
system is 8 Megabytes total (conventional memory plus EMS) with a TBBS/TDBS 
installation.  Smaller line counts or systems without TDBS installed require 
less memory. 

TBBS0020
Rev. 10/90

Copyright (C) 1994 eSoft, Inc., All Rights Reserved.  Permission granted
to distribute this file in its entirety, without modification, to any
interested party.  Any other use requires the written permission of
eSoft, Inc.

IMPORTANT:  The information herein is subject to change without notice.
Please call or write to confirm factual information of importance to you
or your organization.

