Motherboard for my processor

[DRPaaso]

I have a five year old computer that I have added miscellaneous hardware during the last year and a half. I have always wanted to build my own or actually "rebuild" using some of the parts on my system now.

I have a Pentium 133 processor which is too slow for a CD-RW drive that I bought as well as a couple of software programs. So I purchased a Pentium MMX 233 processor (new) through eBay. Then I bought a new motherboard. I thought I knew what I was doing, I purchased a socket 7 (which was supposed to fit the MMX 233). When I got the motherboard, it was an AT form? (not for a tower, which I have) Can I do anything with this motherboard or do I need to buy another one.

I know all the arguments about buying a new system vs. building, but I want to do this! I have also bought a new tower case which looks wonderful. Since I had starting playing with my system, I have not been able to put on the old cover.

I am running Win 98, second edition, and have two hard drives (one which I couldn't install on the system as it is) so I believe I have enough good "stuff" to work with. I use my system for graphics and word processing. Hopefully, we'll be able to use voice recognition software soon.

Any advise for me, other than to buy a new system? (because I won't yet)

Thanks!

Debbi

[Randy_tx]

Get a new AT style "Box"..or case if you will. That's cheaper than drop-kicking the mobo and you will find a mini tower AT case easier to work with anyway!

[Paleo Pete]

I agree. Get an AT tower case, they are getting harder to find, but they're still around. You might check CSO (http://www.computersurplusoutlet.com) or Pricewatch (http://www.pricewatch.com) They both should have AT cases listed, and good prices.

Look for one with at least a 250W power supply, as many drive bays as possible, and check the keyboard and mouse plug holes to be sure they fit the types you will be using. Some have universal plug holes, most will use one or the other.

And while you're at it, get a second case fan, and install it so that it moves air through the case the same direction as the power supply. Most power supply fans blow out the back at top, so mount the fan at bottom in front, sucking air into the case. That will make a big difference in heat control.

Make sure you also get a good heat sink and ball bearing CPU fan, the 233MMX will need it. Don't go for a cheap CPU fan, get a good one, it's only a couple bucks more. Heat sink compound is a good idea too, Radio Shack has it, most other retail stores such as CompUSA or Circuit City should have it also. Use a thin film, too much is worse than none at all.

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[DRPaaso]

OK, now I really feel dumb ... There is a tower case for an AT form? What is the difference between AT and ATX? I looked at the websites you recommended and found a couple of options for a new board and CPU which may make sense or at least easier.

Thanks again ...

[Randy_tx]

The primary difference between a AT and a ATX case is the layout of the case to accomodate the differences between the motherboards (AT style:uses a standard 104 style keyboard, serial connectors are on the mainboard and have cables to a "card" you screw onto the case, same with the LPT port. ATX style: ps2 keyboard/ps2 mouse/serial ports and LPT port (sometimes the sound as well) are all "onboard" and stick out of the case (so to speak). The other difference is that most AT style Motherboards don't have a power connector on the motherboard which will accomodate the ATX style connector which is on the ATX case........hope I havent totally confused you!! http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

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Os2 wasn't a bad idea...

[Paleo Pete]

Yes, AT tower cases were made, I'm using one now and have built 30-40 computers using them.

When ordering parts, no problem, just make sure it says AT or ATX in the specs, whichever you need.

To identify which board or case is which, the AT will have two plugs that go from the power supply to the motherboard, ATX has one long one.

AT boards will have the memory slots parallel to the other slots, and the CPU is usually on the opposite side of the board from the power supply. ATX will have the memory slots perpendicular to the other slots, and the CPU beside them so it's closer to the air path from the power supply's fan.

AT cases usually have holes for AT keyboard plugs, about 5/8" diameter, ATX cases usually have holes for PS/2 mouse and keyboard plugs, about 3/8" diameter, or one oval hole for both. They often also have slots for parallel plugs, onboard video and sound plugs, etc.

This is an AT board:

http://www.zing.com/picture/pba851f63c7c08dd40ec2b3d25ad50be1/ff428090.jpg.orig.jpg

This is an ATX board:

http://www.zing.com/picture/p691aba03216ab9f1c3d034c2a51d4f27/ff42808e.jpg.orig.jpg

Identifying the case is a bit harder without being able to see it, but when you look up cases they usually have specs posted, which will say either AT or ATX, and if you look at them in computer shops, look for the power supply cables. That's the easiest way. AT has two, ATX has one.

If you can find an old desktop in a resale shop cheap, you can pop the cover off and take a look. Towers are about the same, they just stand upright, instead of being horizontally oriented. Plus you have an obsolete machine to tinker with that won't cost you an arm and a leg if you goof...




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Eagles may soar, but weasels don't get sucked into jet engines!
Note: Please post your questions on the forums, not in my email.

Computer Information Links (http://www.geocities.com/paleopete/)

[DRPaaso]

Thank you all for your answers and support.

I have "lucked" out ... I did by a tower case that DOES accomodate both AT and ATX boards, so I am okay. All of your information will be used and is truly appreciated

Now my concern is if I have enough ISA or PCI slots. I think I have more on my old board. I have my modem card, my SCSI card, a USB card, and I think I have something else. I believe that I have 4 ISA and only 3 PCI. Oh well, another detail that I didn't cover before I bought.

Also, I had installed an additional 32 RAM in my old system. I believe they were "SIMM" bars, would that be right? I don't think that I can use them on my new board. I need to check the manual specs when I get home but I may need some help with that.

Thanks again!

[Paleo Pete]

If the memory is 72 pin SIMM, you can probably use it in a board that supports the 233MMX, at the time they were made 168 pin DIMM was just getting started good, and many boards had both, and often only one DIMM slot. Don't try to use both though, unless the motherboard manual specifically states that it will work, most of the time it won't, so you can't mix 72 pin and 168 pin.

Glad the case will work, I never thought about the possibility that it might handle either...lots of cases were made that will.

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Eagles may soar, but weasels don't get sucked into jet engines!
Note: Please post your questions on the forums, not in my email.

Computer Information Links (http://www.geocities.com/paleopete/)

[DRPaaso]

I am making progress and have my processor on my motherboard, the new CPU fan, my case is ready and hopefully this weekend, I will put all the pieces together.

What I realize that I don't understand, are the jumper settings for the processor speed. I understand jumpers and learned about them when I installed a new hard drive and secondary hard drive this summer.

My processor is an Intel MMX 233. In the configuration table, there isn't a setting for the CPU. I know when I bought the motherboard, the detail indicated that the mobo "did" support the MMX 233. Would this mean I need to overclock? The default is 133 (66 MHz) with CPU Multiplier of 2. Would this setting support the mew processor.

Thanks for any input ... I appreciate it.

P.S. When my tower case finally came, I was absolutely thrilled that my board fit perfectly. I also found out that my board actually was ATX vs. Baby AT, which I thought! Thanks again!

[Randy_tx]

Settings for a Intel 233MMX:
CPU Clock: 66 MHZ
Clock Multiplier: 3.5 X (sometimes you need to use 1.5 X & it will adjust)
Dual Voltage: P55C
CPU Voltage: 2.8 Volts
That outta do it........Hopefully you have Motherboard book to show which jumpers to "short" to achieve these #'s or the mobo has them "stamped" on it for you.

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"As hard as a rock & dumb as a brick"...Windows CEMeNT