VIP 800 © 1991 Auva
The VIP 800 is a highly integrated 80386SX Baby AT motherboard manufactured by Auva Computer, Inc. around 1991. Positioned as a cost-effective entryway into 32-bit computing, the board features a surface-mounted (QFP) Intel or AMD 386SX microprocessor running at 16 MHz or 20 MHz. It is built around a consolidated multi-chip core logic chipset (typically from OPTi, Headland, or VLSI) designed to handle the 386SX's narrow 16-bit external data bus while maintaining a full 32-bit internal processing structure. The expansion layout provides six 16-bit ISA expansion slots and a dedicated socket for an 80387SX math co-processor. Memory configuration features four 30-pin SIMM slots, allowing affordable RAM expansions up to 16 MB.
The SX Value Strategy: The VIP 800 was specifically designed for budget-conscious home and office users. By utilizing a 386SX CPU rather than a full DX, Auva could build a cheaper motherboard that didn't require expensive 32-bit memory traces, yet still allowed consumers to break away from the 16-bit limits of the 286 and safely run modern multi-tasking environments like Windows 3.1.
Built for Custom Boxes: The physical layout of the VIP 800 was optimized for low-profile horizontal desktop cases, which were highly popular among generic PC system builders in the early 1990s. Its tightly aligned SIMM slots and low-height surface-mounted components left ample room for low-clearance drive bays.