What Is the Turbo Button on Old Computers For?

This article gives a clear answer about Turbo Button on Old Computers For. It explains the main idea, practical context, and details that help readers understand the subject.

Understanding Turbo Button on Old Computers For

'Once upon a time', personal computers often have a Turbo button located next to the Power button and Reset button. In addition, there is usually a small LED on the case that indicates the clock frequency of the CPU measured in MHz or shows hi/lo indicating which CPU mode is running.

If you're in a hurry to think of the words that today's chip makers often use to indicate the speed when overclocking CPUs like Turbo or Boost, don't be mistaken. Because actually, this Turbo button has the opposite meaning.

In fact they appeared after Intel released the first 8086 processor, running at 4.77 MHz. At that time, many software (especially games) were developed separately for each individual machine, running on different clock frequencies.

When faster processors appear, the software runs so fast that the Turbo button is used to slow down the device for software compatibility, so that it can run normally.

Turbo buttons are very popular on old-fashioned computers.

The Turbo button is very popular on 286 PCs and 386, less popular on PC 486 and almost no longer appears on Pentium processor computers when they appear more and more in the late 90s.

Who would have thought that there was a button born to the computer that slowed down? Over time, technology is growing, the features of the old days become so strange in today's world.