ELT-386SX-160BE © 199? Elitegroup Computer Systems
The ELT-386SX-160BE was an entry-level motherboard designed to provide the benefits of 32-bit internal architecture (via the 386SX processor) while maintaining cost-effective 16-bit system design. It was a staple in mass-market desktop clones during the early 1990s. Its primary appeal was the ability to run 386-specific software and early Windows 3.1 environments at a price point significantly lower than a full 386DX or 486 system.
Processor: Intel 80386SX (typically 16 MHz or 20 MHz).
Chipset: Typically uses an integrated chipset solution such as the Chips & Technologies (C&T) 82C206 or equivalent highly integrated logic sets (the "SCAMP" or similar SX-focused chipsets were common).
Expansion: Features a standard mix of 16-bit ISA slots (usually 5 or 6) with one 8-bit hybrid slot.
Memory: Utilizes 30-pin SIMMs, typically supporting up to 8 MB of RAM—the "sweet spot" for Windows 3.1 computing at the time.
Form Factor: Compact Baby AT.
The SX Compromise: The 386SX was a clever bit of marketing and engineering; it had a 32-bit internal data bus like the 386DX, but an external 16-bit data bus. This allowed motherboard manufacturers to use cheaper, 286-era memory and I/O components while still being able to label the machine as "386-powered." The elt386sx is a perfect study of this "bridging" technology.
The "BE" Suffix: In ECS nomenclature at the time, the "BE" suffix often indicated the board included Basic I/O features integrated directly onto the PCB (like the floppy controller), which was a move away from the "expansion card mess" that characterized earlier 286 and 386 systems.