PIII in 686BX m/m

[Arun]

Hi,

Since recently I have developed an interest in digital video editing. My PC, however, could do with some performance boosting. I have a Gigabyte 686BX mb, with a PII400 processor and 128Mb RAM. Although I am not sure, I reckon I will need a faster processor (do you notice the difference?) and some more RAM.

The manual of the mb gives jumpersettings upto PII550, but with a 100 MHz bus I should be able to install a PIII850 as well...? This would require a flash of the bios. I am a little confused here: the bios is from AWARD, but why then should I get bios upgrades from the manufacturer of the mb (gigabyte)? And how do I set the jumpers?

Furthermore, I am not sure what 'socket' and 'slot' means. How can I find the correct processor? A PIII850 for a 100 MHz bus sells in the $200 region. Will anything else except an Intel work?

Can I take 5 minutes to flash the bios, plug in a PIII850 100 MHz, plug in some more RAM, and expect the system to work? I am not sure if I want to re-install the OS and all the applications etc.

Any help highly appreciated, I've never tried this stuff before and really don't want to mess up.
Arun

[hiredgoonz]

As long as the bios flash is for your mobo...and probably should be obtained from gigabyte AND as long as it says you can upgrade to a P3 850, then it should work after you adjust the cpu settings in the bios, unless it has cpu speed auto detect...

Since it's a slot 1 board, you can use any slot 1 p3 cpu that it says is supported...depending on how much tinkering you're comfortable with, they also make slot ket or slotkey cards that allow you to plug a socket 370 cpu into a slot 1 board...these cards have built in voltage regulators

Yes, you're stuck with Intel cpus only...older celerons and P2s will plug right in, but with a slot adapter you can go with newer celerons too...as long as your board supports a 66mhz fsb (although newer celerons now have 100fsb)...

You may save some $ going with a slotkey and a socket 370 cpu, but it can definitely be a more involved process and you need to check clearances of all the mobo components that might interfere with the heatsink and fan for the new cpu since it will be in an unusual position...

You won't need to reinstall the os or apps, but one thing to consider is that flashing the bios is risky in the sense that if you don't do it right, or the power goes out while you're doing it, or if it's just not your day...you can really hose your system...I would only use bios upgrades from the mobo maufacturer and print out the directions and follow them to the letter...

Whatever you decide, a faster cpu will definitely improve the performance for vid editing...and 256 mb ram is considered to be a minimum requirement for acceptable performance...good luck and just be careful to research anything you do thoroughly...

[mjc]

Why from the MOBO manufacturer?

Well everyone out there slightly customizes the basic BIOS to suit that particular board. Gigabyte may set the default value to x and someone else set the same value to y, or they may have a certain feature totally disabled...


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mjc
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[AwARe]

Hello Arun,

Here's a link to get your BIOS update http://www.giga-byte.com/support/intel440bx.htm#link686bx

Stick with the "NON" Beta release 6bx_29, unless for some reason you "need" the Beta........

Also I saw a PIII 750E for $99........might be the way to go...... http://www.pricewatch.com/1/3/2200-1.htm

Hope This Helped!

[This message has been edited by AwARe (edited 05-22-2001).]

[bassvax]

Not to be a downer here...and you didn't ask for the opinion, but here it is anyway.
Consider how much a slot one Pentium III 850MHz is costing you...then look at AMD 1000MHz socket A processor (less than $200) and a new mobo for that AMD CPU (less than $150). I am not trying to start a flame here...When I was building my system I had my heart set on Pentium III 900MHz, but after researching the price differences I was shocked at how much I was saving going with AMD and getting even more muscle to boot. You will also be able to utilize a faster FSB (200MHz) in most cases. Just to give you an idea, here is what it cost me in February of this year from a PC retail shop (the CPU was purchased OEM which just meant that I had to buy the heatsink and fan separately). AMD 1000MHz Thunderbird CPU-$199, Coolermaster Fan & Heatsink combo-$20, ASUS A7V133 Socket A motherboard-$179.
Again, just some thoughts on money...you will have to consider the other components that you want to carry over and new RAM will probably have to be purchased (very inexpensive right now-must use quality RAM). My tow cents...If for some reason you would like to chit-chat about these particulars, post back and I will e-mail you http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif
Good Luck whatever you decide http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/smile.gif

Edit: I just reread Aware's post about the PIII 750E being only $99, I was unaware (sorry) that Pentium processors went for that low...
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savoire faire ist everywhere...

[This message has been edited by bassvax (edited 05-22-2001).]

[AwARe]

Well actually bass............

All Pentium processors "arent" that low hehe

In fact I wish someone could tell me a good reason why my 600 PIII is still going for $164 lmao
It sure isnt worth it compared to what I could buy now for the same money..
Right now for $146 I could get a 1.2ghz/266 Tbird.....so wheres the comparison in the price between those two? I have no idea........

You have a pretty good point about the AMD setup.....in fact if I were building a new system today thats what Id buy......but I think in this case, Arun can probably get himself hooked up with that 750 and another 128mb of ram all for under $150.......probably be the best way to go, at least in my opinion anyways.......also I kinda Like BX chips http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/smile.gif.....no good reason to ditch a perfectly good BX board http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif ..at least not "this week" anyways hahahaha

PS Arun, I also saw a 766 Celeron for $66 <- the bios update page says that board would take it if you wanna go even cheaper (and the socket convertor that hiredgoonz mentioned so you can use the celeron is only about $5).... go to http://www.pricewatch.com im sure you can figure it all out yourself as far as what CPU you want.........Probably be a good idea to flash that BIOS "1st", and see what all it supports "before" you make a final desision, that bios update page really didnt say what the max was. (These 2 BX boards I have here go over 1ghz, yours probably will too, but it be a good idea to confirm it 1st..........)

Good Luck!

[This message has been edited by AwARe (edited 05-22-2001).]

[Arun]

hiredgoonz, mjc, AwARe and bassvax,

Thanks for you input. You educated me a lot and really helped me make up my mind: I can and will flash my bios with a gigabyte update, upgrade to a Pentium III and add extra RAM. The point of a new mobo with an AMD processor is taken, but that sort of thing is not for me.

I still need your help to decide:

It is hard to find the proper specs for all the different Pentium IIIs on offer. Is there someone to help me on this one: I figured out that I need a 100FSB CPU, a choice of Slot1 of 370+converter (there seems to be ample room inside) and in my case probably 'Retail' i.s.o. OEM. But then, what is the difference between SECC2 and FCPGA? Is this the same as Slot1 versus 370? E.g., www.emscomputing.com (http://www.emscomputing.com) seems to offer upto even 1 GHz 100FSB PIIIs, SECC2. Notwithstanding the price, will this fit? Hard to believe my system can be shot into the GHz-heaven. Maybe it is worth while waiting a few months for this processor to drop in price.

Anyway, the www.pricewatch.com (http://www.pricewatch.com) site is one I didn't know. If someone can tell me the difference between SECC2 and FCPGA, I think I can make up my mind starting there.

Regards, and thanks for now,
Arun

[bassvax]

SECC2 Single Edge Contact Cartridge used for Slot One CPU-It is the type of processor. FCPGA Flip Chip Pin Grid Array used for Socket type CPU it is the small flat one with all the pins on the bottom (ie. socket 370) The newer Pentiums have the L2 Cache on the chip itself. The Slot One's were actually a cartridge with a chip for the cpu attached to a board and the L2 Cache was connected to the board as well about the same width of a playing card and about 1.5 times the length. The socket type is less expensive to produce and most CPU manufacturers are switching to mainly this type. The Flip Chip is an adapter type...I'm not exactly sure what that means though...soemone will know though... http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

Edit: Check out Charles info on processors in the Guide http://www.pcguide.com/ref/cpu/index.htm

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savoire faire ist everywhere...

[This message has been edited by bassvax (edited 05-22-2001).]

[hiredgoonz]

SECC2 is the version of the 242 contact cartridge that was used for the P3...the P2 used secc1...they lock into the mobo posts slightly differently, but I think you can use the same posts for both...I know the mounting kits you buy can be used for both...it looks like your current P2 and is thick and rectangular...

FCPGA is Socket 370 (at least when you're talking about P3s) and is square...

And the reason I recommend only using bios flashes from the mobo manufacturer is that if something goes wrong and then you tell the tech support people what you did, they say "we only provide support for products, e.g. software, that we produce, you'll have to contact the provider of the bios flash" then when you talk to award, they're gonna tell you to go to gigabyte...

Tech support is great at passing the buck and no matter how good any one here is at fixing computers, the only one who has to deal with any potential problems is Arun...I'd rather give him safe advice...

[Paleo Pete]

Tech support is great at passing the buck and no matter how good any one here is at fixing computers, the only one who has to deal with any potential problems is Arun...I'd rather give him safe advice...

I'll second that...

as well as the advice to get the BIOS upgrade only from the manufacturer and to print ot the instructions and follow them to the letter. And do it ONLY if it's necessary and will provide support for the issues you're concerned with.



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Note: Please post your questions on the forums, not in my email.

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[yawningdog]

First, I've seen too many slot/socket adapters go bad to reccommend them.

Second, here (http://www.angelfire.com/art/kyuman88) is a website designed by one of my custmers. He's using a 1ghz t-bird with 512 MB of RAM and some high-speed, low-drag graphics programs. I consider myself a hardware guy, but this guy lives for eye-candy and I'm sure he'd love to discuss this kind of thing

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