BH6 and fastest upgrade question

[Moonbeam]

I've been searching the forum to try to figure out the best way to upgrade my BH6 system, but get confused because people often don't specify what BH6 they are using.

I have the original board rev 1.0 with the LN bios that can be upgraded to QN. I saw some comments that QN identifies the CPU better but doesn't work as good. I've seen confusion on SECC vs. FS-PGA, and on problems with coppermine PIII.

So my question is, what is the best way to upgrade using the original BH6. I get the impression that the consensus is the Celeron 566 at at least 100 FSB, but then I read that the 533 costs more because it overclocks better. However, I would prefer to buy a P3 cbo.

Can this board use slot 1 coppermines? If so is it better to buy a socket converter and get a FSPGA anyway? How fast a P3 will it handle? I have a 300A at 450 now. Is it better just to go with the 533 or 566 C2. Should I update the BIOS. Any help will be appreciated. Thanks

 

[Xtremist]

http://www.abit.com.tw/english/download/bios-bh6.htm

Read in the motherboard forum that they just released a NEW BIOS!

Supports Celeron 633(66),667(66),700(66)MHz CPUs, and PIII 750(100),800(100),850(100)MHz CPUs.

That might help make a decision? Cheers!

 

[Moonbeam]

Thanks Xtremist, I was at that site moments before I posted and that update version was not there. Wonder if it just came up or if I got a cached copy. Since it's a slot 1 board, can I assume the slot 1 PIIIs will work? The C2 does not come in slot 1, I don't think, and they don't mention the need for the socket. Are they assuming a FSPGA P3 too, do you know, or any P3 up to 800MHz? Thanks again for the info, it's great news.

 

[Ulysses]

Your BH6 is a Slot 1 board. Reference:
http://www.abit-usa.com/english/product/index.htm.

You can put a P3 SECC2 (big black plastic cartridge) CPU directly in that. Or you can put a P3 FC-PGA (bare chip) in it with the use of an Abit 'slocket.' See slockets, etc:
http://www.gamepc.com/gpc/estore_aisle.asp?item=2&tp=.

Get the FC-PGA form - it's more versatile.

Also, if you only have a $100 or so for a CPU, then get a Cele 533A or faster. But if you can go to $200 or so, then definitely get a P3 cB0 @ 600E or better. What you should avoid is that no-mans land of higher priced Cele II's that offer less performanct than the P3's but cost almost as much. See:
http://www.anandtech.com/printarticle.html?i=1264

 

[Xtremist]

I have no idea what it will accept or not since I only have a cely333 in mine still. I'm assumed what Ulysses said however about the flip chip's, so that should work I think. Were you at the Taiwan site (the .com.tw) or just the .com site? The US one doesn't update nearly as much as the Taiwan one does, but it's faster (all their servers suck IMO).

 

[compuwiz1]

Yes, whatever you do, don't get a C700, you'll probably only get 700 and for $200 it's definitely not worth it. Get the PIII if the budget allows. If not get a 533 or 566 and go 800-900.

 

[Moonbeam]

Thanks, Ulysses. If I could add another question, what would you recommend between OEM and Retail.

 

[Moonbeam]

Thanks for the seconds on the C2 700, compuwiz1 I had read that.

Xtremist, I was at the usa site. The servers do suck and the update is still not on the usa site as of moments ago. I used a link so didn't see where I was, but noticed getting the QN, that the usa site is behind on updates.

 

[fastman]

I just moved up to a C566 from what you had and couldn't be happier.

OEM C566
Iwill II Slocket
Golden Orb Fan

Running at stock for now.

 

[fastman]

The BIOS update that Xtremist spoke of is for the BH6 Rev. 1.1 ONLY Filename: BH632SP.EXE

Supports the Celeron566(66),600(66),667(66),700(66)MHz CPUs, and PIII 750(100),800(100)MHz,850(100)MHz CPUs. [ BH6 Rev. 1.1 ]

FYI

 

[Ulysses]

Personally, I buy retail. On average performance should be the same with the same stepping. But with the retail version from a decent vendor you get a full warranty, fan etc. Especially if you're overclocking and you burn something out you can always RMA it for a full or partial credit or replacement - boy I've done that more than once!!
Just be sure to think up an innocent story.


I don't want to beat a dead horse (well, really, I do ), but that AnandTecm article I referenced shows that a Cele II 566 ( $100 ) o'c'd to 850/100 is bested in benchmarks, IIRC, by a non-o'c'd P3 600E ( $200 ), not to mention a 600E @ say 750/125 (which an o'c'd Cele 700 ( also $200 ) can't touch either). That's an illusory 250 MHz difference!!! Consider that for a bit - people with Cele's always quote their o'c'd speed but it grossly overstates the actual comparative performance as revealed by benchmarks.

 

[Ulysses]

This page, which is for the BH6 Rev. 1, says up to 600/100 P3 or up to 600/66 Celeron:

http://www.abit-usa.com/english/download/bios-bh6.htm#01

 

[Slacker]

I just flashed the "SS" bios for the BH6 original, it gave me multipliers up to 12 :Q and voltage from 1.3 to 2.7 :Q


I cant count how many times I have flashed this motherboard, if I had to guess I would say it is more than thirty times over the past year and a half, its a good thing you cant wear out a flash rom

 

[Xtremist]

fastman,

Did you actually even look at the page I linked to? It's on the Taiwan server, not the US. Again:

http://www.abit.com.tw/english/download/bios-bh6.htm

For the 1.0x revision boards:

Filename: BH6SS.EXE
Date: 07/06/2000
ID: SS
NOTE:
Supports Celeron 633(66),667(66),700(66)MHz
CPUs, and PIII 750(100),800(100),850(100)MHz CPUs.

Cheers!

FYI