486 Upgrade Advice Sought

[Paul Komski]

Hi folks. I have an old 486 (HP Vectra VL2 4/50) that I keep as a back-up and for messin' around with. It also runs a companion Microtek Scanner connected onto an ISA card.

OS = Win95 (upgraded from DOS6/Win3.1)
CPU = 50MHz Intel DX2 in a Socket 3.
FormFactor = AT with 4 ISA expansion slots (16bit) on a riser.
Circuit Board = HP (w/ Two BarCodeLabels D3126 - 60001 and J/NR A3422)
BIOS: Phoenix Technologies 05/13/94.
RAM = 64MB (32MB SIMM x2 and which is the maximum that can be installed).
L1 Cache = 8KB write through.
L2 Cache = None installed (but is upgradeable to 128KB or 256KB write back).
HDD = HP 340MB IDE.
CDROM = Phillips x48.
HDD and CDROM are on the same cable, which plugs into the only wide slot on the Mobo.
JP4 (set 2-3) Function = "Processor speed 25MHz" (the other option is 1-2 for 33MHz).
JP5 (set 2-3) Function = "Reserved for factory use - do not move" (but I'm guessing this is a x2 multiplier since there are no other jumpers that I don't know the function of).
Another jumper JP12 is only available for VL2 4/100 models and can't be found on this Mobo.
BIOS SetUp (D.5.102) has no other clocking settings.

If my main PC goes down for any reason, I have all my important data files backed up via CDs on this PC and I can also use it to get on line. If I need to work on it (both with VB and on large elaborate Access applications) - it is hopelessly slow - and not suitable in either speed or memory to run Win98.

Q1. These Socket3 CPUs seem to be available (http://www.pcmech.com/show/optimize/176/) (AMD 5x86 133MHz or Cyrix 586 100/120MHz), but I think I can only set clock speeds of 25,33,50 or 66. So am I right that it would be pointless to upgrade the CPU? Or is there any way that I can alter the clocking to make it worthwhile upgrading?

Q2. I would guess that if I could obtain a memory upgrade for the L2 Cache that this would make a significant difference. I haven't yet been able to contact HP about this but might there be any other sources out there?

Q3. The HDD is small but I think I'm limited to drives of 1GB. If that is the case could I still use a 3GB HDD divided into three 1GB partitions?

Sorry for the multiple Qs. I realise that it would be better to start over with a new DIY or barebones system, but if I can upgrade this geriatric for minibucks that would be http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/cool.gif and also help me on my hardware learning curve. http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/wink.gif http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/rolleyes.gif

Any advice/ideas etc. would be most appreciated.

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Take nice care of yourselves - Paul
"I can resist everthing except temptation" (Oscar Wilde, I think; and me too!!)

[Reid]

I used a 586 upgrade similar to this PowerLeap (http://www.powerleap.com/Products/586.htm) unit. They may be hard to find and not save much over a modest CPU/motherboard upgrade. My system benchmarked like a Pentium 60 with it. Windows 95 was a bit slow on it. Search Google (http://www.google.com) with 586 cpu upgrade to find more sources and info.

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You pay attention to somethin' here. These kids ain't the same anymore.
You know what's behind it all?
Rock and Roll

[This message has been edited by Reid (edited 01-27-2002).]

[Jumby]

Be careful, you could spend more money upgrading than if you checked this link. They have some pretty good deals on basic systems. http://www.computer-show.com/Modern/items.asp?CartId=5731573VEETV75&Cc=SYS02

[Paul Komski]

Reid 'n Jumby Thanks for the replies. If I can get one, I might try the PowerLeap solution just for the hell of it. I just love trying out new things. The idea of a CPU upgrade that has physical switches on it to control clock-multipying and CPU-voltage was new to me. http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/rolleyes.gif

But you are probably both correct that the better move is to keep the 486 on ice and spend the bucks elsewhere. Especially since I would also probably have to upgrade the 75watt PSU and do some soldering for a connection to wire up the fan. http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/wink.gif



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Take nice care of yourselves - Paul
"I can resist everthing except temptation" (Oscar Wilde, I think; and me too!!)

[Reid]

I just saw several 586 upgrade units on Ebay selling for $10. They are hard to find in retail sources.

The 586 units actually draw 40% less power than a 486. They run on 3.3V vs 5V and have the regulator built in.

Here is another information link: 586 Upgrade (http://web.inter.nl.net/hcc/J.Steunebrink/amd5x86.htm).

The units with a fan probably supply power to the fan through the socket assembly or through a supplied power-splitter adapter.

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You pay attention to somethin' here. These kids ain't the same anymore.
You know what's behind it all?
Rock and Roll

[This message has been edited by Reid (edited 01-30-2002).]

[Paul Komski]

Looking through the links you guys provided on this thread has led me to another possible solution that I, in my ignorance, had never heard of. i.e. A Total System Upgrade that just plugs into an ISA slot. This Renaissance 370S w/Celeron 800MHz and 128MB SDRAM Price: $199.95 can be got from PowerLeap (http://shopping.oraclesmallbusiness.com/store/store.nl?store=ACCT72136&mode=browse&section=2&category=8&id=203)

I suppose its a Mini-Style equivalent of a Mobo+CPU replacement. The money's not outrageous and shipping of a small component like that overseas would be advantageous.

I must say I'm tempted; but does anyone have any experience of these or whether they have any inherent problems??

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Take nice care of yourselves - Paul
"I can resist everthing except temptation" (Oscar Wilde, I think; and me too!!)

[kenja]

Uh, you're willing to spend 200 bucks to run an 800MHz, 32-bit CPU through an 8MHz, 16-bit interface?

[This message has been edited by kenja (edited 01-31-2002).]

[Paul Komski]

hehe kenja I just don't know! I've not come across this type of upgrade before and I was lying in bed last night just wondering to myself how they operated. Since the CPU, Drive Connectors and RAM modules are all on the card, I was presuming that the only thing connected through the ISA slot was the PowerSupply (and maybe that's not even true) and that there would be no integration with the now "redundant" old M/B. So the 16/32 bit difference shouldn't come into play. But then I wondered whether there would now be 2 clocks operating and what the ISA bus would now be functioning at and whether this incompatibily would mess the thing up.

What's the answer?? http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/rolleyes.gif

Perhaps I should repost under how does this work! http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

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Take nice care of yourselves - Paul
"I can resist everthing except temptation" (Oscar Wilde, I think; and me too!!)

[kenja]

Oh, I hadn't looked at the link before I replied. I didn't realize the disk controller was onboard.

[Paul Komski]

I think the following Q/A from PowerLeap FAQ gives a better idea of what is going on with this sort of upgrade.

Q. Will the Renaissance Card be able to use other ISA and PCI cards that are on the old motherboard? (Like a Modem)

A. Once you install a Renaissance, your motherboard will no longer be powered so cards that are in its ISA and PCI slots will be unuseable. A Renaissance does come with built in sound, graphics and network cards, and it also has 4 USB ports (that can be used for printers, modems, etc) so you probably won't need your old cards anyway. Please remember this: a Renaissance does not just upgrade your motherboard, it becomes your motherboard.

So I guess that the connectors from the installed unit are either blanked-off or blocked with rectifiers and that the ISA slot is just used to hold the card in place.

It would be great to get any feedback from anyone that has used one of these. http://www.plauder-smilies.com/sad/confused5.gif


[This message has been edited by Paul Komski (edited 02-03-2002).]