Can I do this?? Experts needed~~~ and I mean it. *EXPERT*

[j@cko]

I have a Abit KT7-RAID, which features KT133. Anyway, my question is, is it possible to take the North Bridge out, and snap in the new KT133A chip since they are pin comptaible. However, only if I can get the chip though, besides, is it possible to take off the northbridge? By what method?

 

[evanichka]

Sounds like a crazy idea... may work but somehow i think you will have compatibility issues with the other parts, don't think the other parts will get along with the new northbridge, even though they are the same parts as from a newer board... dunno.

 

[j@cko]

the only new feature being added to KT133A is the support for 133mhz FSB.
I think it should work fine with the old board, since the memory artiechture stays the same, only the bus core being modified. However, there are couple problems I will have. First is, where can I get the KT133A chip alone. Second, can do I take off the north bridge on the mother board?

 

[eyor]

Does KT133A exist yet?

 

[j@cko]

Yes.
Anyway, do you guys think this will work? Any hardware engineer here?

 

[LXi]

First of all I dont think you can buy a KT133A chipset, at least they dont sell them individually to end users. Second I think I'd be mighty hard to take the KT133 off and put the 133A on, even if you can do that your chances of getting it to work is nil

 

[Pyro]

I dont think it'll work. Sounds crazy and I've never heard of it being done before.

btw. Making chips like the northbridge, southbridge, and some controlers upgradable like the cpu sounds like a good idea.

If you think about it, wouldnt it be cool if you could pop in some extra memory for your video card, or maybe upgrade the chip itself to run faster.

 

[fs5]

I've heard people doing this with other MBs but I'm unsure about the KT7...

 

[evanichka]

yeah, if it was that easy, then mobo comps like abit and asus could just swap the chips right? but i don't see them doing that yet... well, at least for the KT133A's. I think Abit did something like that when they had the BH6 design and just upgraded the chipsets, but not too sure.

 

[LXi]

<<yeah, if it was that easy, then mobo comps like abit and asus could just swap the chips right? but i don't see them doing that yet...>>

Well, Abit IS swapping the chip, their KT133A board is exactly the same as the KT7-RAID, everything the same except the chipset. Of course, there is really no need to make a new design when you can just use the new chipset in substitution.

 

[j@cko]

But I think I can get my friend get chip, have connection... so...
So, now the problem is, how do I take the chip OFF the board?? Any clue?

 

[j@cko]

This can save me quite a lot money

 

[j@cko]

I checked the board, the north bridge wasn't soldered on, it's like they clue it on it or something.

 

[Dulanic]

Could it works? Most likely yes.... the onlt difference for the KT133A from the KT133 is the ATA100 support... not 133FSB support. Atleast I believe so, im 99% sure but not 100%. Asus and Abit are both going to put the KT133A in their current MB. Taking off the chipset itself would be a tough job.... Im not sure if its surface mount or not..... I believe it is. You would need surface mount equipment, which I have at work and use all the time.... not extremelly tough to do but you need the equipment. One thing to add.... is if Im wrong and the KT133A does add 133 FSB it wouldnt matter because the PLL chip in the KT133 boards are what limit it.... thats why thoose japanese guys who use the Turbo PLL chip can hit up to and even beyond 150FSB.

 

[Dulanic]

And yes the northbridge is soldered on.... if you cant see the pins on the side or on the bottom of the board it means the pins are very short and dont go all the way though.... which is a possibility since the MBs are multi layered PCBs and that would be basically impossible to remove.

 

[j@cko]

actually you are wrong, ATA 100 is the new 686B South Bridge, it has nothing to do with KT133A. KT133A is OFFICIALLY supports 133mhz.
Oh, and what's the mounting tool you are talking about?

 

[j@cko]

um... so, there's NO NO way to take the chip off the board?? can I rip it off?? ..

 

[j@cko]

or can I use very very tiny heated needle puch through the holes below the chip, will it come out?

 

[LXi]

<<Could it works? Most likely yes.... the onlt difference for the KT133A from the KT133 is the ATA100 support... not 133FSB support.>>

Uh... no, the southbridge is responsible for IDE controllers, and the 686B which supports ATA100 is widely available now. The difference between KT133 and KT133A is official 133MHz support.

 

[chuckieland]

if you done this successfully let me know
you can make alot of money to help people switch chipsets

 

[Budman]

Am I the only one who sees how stupid it would be to mess around trying to solder a chipset to a board?

Even if you did get it to work (by some miracle)it would kill the warranty.

Just sell your current board &amp; BUY the new one. geez

 

[LXi]

<<Just sell your current board &amp; BUY the new one. geez>>

How easy do you think selling a used board with an outdated chipset is?

 

[Budman]

<< How easy do you think selling a used board with an outdated chipset is? >>



A whole lot easier than trying to solder a chipset on a board.

 

[LXi]

I dont think so, its still a question mark whether you can sell it or not, even if found a buyer you might not get the money you ask for, even if you do you then have to go through all the hassle. If swapping chipsets is possible it'd definitely be easier and less troublesome to go through Egay.

 

[evanichka]

hehe i think selling old one is actually easier then soldiering a northbridge on and hoping it works... =P