Help upgrading CPU

[StoneDragon]

I've got a P120 that I would like to upgrade, but I don't really know what I'm doing as far as making sure that the chip I'm looking at will work with my mobo.

The mobo is a Biostar 8500TUD (http://biostar-usa.com/museum/Motherboards/8500TUD/8500TUD_Manual.html) (link to online manual) and CSO (http://www.computersurplusoutlet.com/showproduct.asp?category=4&subcategory=11) has some P chips for sale. I'm looking to go up to 200mhz or 233mhz, at least that's what I gather the board will support. I have the hard copy of the manual, but most of these numbers and specs mean nothing to me, and the CSO site doesn't give any info on the chips.

Can anybody help me out here?

[This message has been edited by StoneDragon (edited 10-12-2000).]

[bassvax]

Check these guys out for upgrading those older processors www.evertech.com (http://www.evertech.com)
Evergreen Technologies. Look into the Spectra series. Learn a little about your mobo and BIOS version and date before sending them an e-mail. About $80 for me to go from 133MHz to 350MHz-Jerry

[Paleo Pete]

A quick look at the board's specs says it will support up to Pentium 233 MMX (Intel), and similar Cyrix and AMD CPU's. The early AMD's weren't all that great, Intel had just recently stopped leasing their technology to other companies, and they were having to design their own CPU's, playing catch-up, as it were. The Cyrix 6x86 was given high marks, even said to out perform the Intels in some cases, but was prone to much higher heat. I have one, but haven't been able to really check it out, don't have the hardware to build a machine around it. Have used Cyrix 5x86 and 6x86 before though, and didn't have any complaints. The 6x86 doesn't seem to like Win98 too well. Works great with Win95.

With these 1st generation Pentiums, I'd go with the Intel, they were still way ahead of the game at that point. Now I hear AMD might be catching up, but can't say from personal experience. I've had nothing but trouble with all the AMD K6-2 CPU's I've dealt with.

Intel and AMD both have websites, and Intel has specs posted for about any CPU you want to look up. not sure about AMD, since I don't use them. Cyrix sites are gone, they're hard to find, but if you have patience, some info can be dug up if you try.

Take a look at the specs for the board that you posted, you were right, it will handle up to 233MHx, and supports MMX technology. CSO usually has those CPU's. Haven't looked recently, but last time I checked the 233 MMX was about $50-55.

Check my site below, I have a link to the Intel site, and I think amd's site as well. They should have the info on the CPU's, you'll need the model number stamped on the back for the Intel. I checked the specs against my 233MMX, that board will use it, and the 200MMX in this machine. (Only using the 200 in this one because the board won't handle faster than 200) http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/frown.gif

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[StoneDragon]

Thanks Pete... I've been over to the Intel site, but I wasn't looking in the right place. I surfed back over there and dug around enough to verify (I hope) that the 233MMX chip runs at 66mhz.. which is listed in my mobo manual. I had the case open last night installing an ethernet card and took a good look at the RAM sticks etc. From what I can see it looks like the 233 chip should fit right in and work fine.

One other thing though... the current chip only has cooling fins. Would it be wise to get a heatsink/fan, or should the cooling fins work fine?

[Paleo Pete]

Yes, the 233MHz runs at 66MHz bus, I think it will be the 3.5X multiplier.

With a 233MMX, I'd definitely use a cooling fan. The 120MHz CPU didn't create nearly the heat the 233 does. Get a good one, not the cheaper ones, make sure it's ball bearing, and go to Radio Shack and grab a tube of heat conductive grease to put between the CPU and heat sink, it will help transfer heat better. Use only a thin film, too much will acutally make it worse, not better.

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[StoneDragon]

Alright! Thanks for the info.

Any idea what the difference would be (performance wise) between the 233 MMX and the 200Mhz classic. They want $40 more for the classic. What's up with that?

[Paleo Pete]

I've never understood that one, it seems to me the plain ol' Pentium would be cheaper than the MMX, which is supposed to be the "high octane" model. But the MMX is usually cheaper.

The 233MMX will most likely outperform the 200. The difference won't be drastic, but it will be faster. The MMX also handles multitasking much better, since it is essentially a processor within a processor. It also does a much better job with 3D, graphics intensive applications, and multimedia. Go for the 233MMX...

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[StoneDragon]

Sounds like good advice. Those are the qualities that are important for this computer.

'preciate it.

[fat_elvis]

OK, so what is the safe range for the CPU. if you've seen my posts, i've got some pretty freaked out problems loading w98 -- similar to above, but i don't get that far.

using the standard fan, I'm running at 70-86. I guessing that's bad, but installed correctly -- no thermal grease.

did I just fry my cpu?
should I buy a new fan (yes, but which)
any thoughts?

[Hefaistos]

If your mobo is a Socket7 which can take up to 233MHz, then it has the separate core/IO voltage which you need to supply it with a K6 CPU.

You can get a K6-2 or K6-3 to work at 400MHz by setting the multiplier on the mobo to 2x. The K6-2/3 interpret this as 6x and youll get 6x66=400MHz. If your mobo can do 75MHz FSB you get 450MHz core speed.

the only problem might be the voltage. You need to get down to 2.2V if I recall correct. If you look in the manual they typically show you a row of jumpers which give like 3.3 - 2.5V with different jumper configurations.

Now those jumpers are actually only adding resistors which lower the voltage. If your mobo seemingly can't go bleow 2.5V you may make it anyway by just plugging on more, or maybe all, of the jumpers. Make a little calculation based on the jumper table: if no jumper gives 3.3V core, and the first jumper gives you 3.1, then that jumper subtracts 0.2V. They are typically not all the same (subtracting the same amount), so you may need to use a little brainage to figure out hiw much they subtract individually.

[Paleo Pete]

I'll have to look your post up for the details, but is that temp centigrade or farenheit? If it's F, no problem, it's actually fairly cool. If it's C, that's a bit on the warm side...Radio Shack sells thermal grease for about $3, and fans are not that expensive. Get one, and make sure it's a ball bearing fan, and don't get a cheapo. I always go for the most expensive ball bearing fan I can find, that's one place I want the BEST.

And if you're already having problems, don't even consider overclocking it!

Hefaistos: Please don't recommend overclocking, we're usually dealing with people who don't have the knowledge and ability to deal with it, and I don't want someone frying their machine because someone put the idea in their heads. If someone asks, I'm always glad to provide links to good info, both pro and con, but if they don't ask, don't suggest it.

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