CPU support on Epox 8K3A+

[Goncyn]

I have a system based on the Epox 8K3A+ that I have been using for about two years. My CPU died (I believe because of prolonged high operating temperature - I was negligent about keeping the fans working and dust free) and I am looking to replace it. I cannot simply get a newer motherboard because all my data (some of it important) is on a raid array connected to the onboard HPT370/2 controller.

I am looking to buy a replacement for my dead XP 2100+. I was hoping to get a faster processor, but availability of Thoroughbred core chips seems low, since Barton is the new thing. Unfortunately, this board is a KT333 board and does not support Barton. The official CPU support list from Epox (updated in 2002) says it supports Athlon XP "T-Bred" 333MHz 2600+, but the main product page for the board lists 266 as the supported FSB. So I have two questions:

1) Does this board, with the KT333 chipset, support 333MHz FSB?

2) If so, will the T-Bred 2700+ work on it? Newegg isn't selling the 2600+, so 2700+ is it, but that is above the max spec on Epox's list. Since the list is so old, I was hoping it might be wrong, but I'm worried the board might not have a high enough multiplier or something for the faster chip.

That was a lot of "ifs".

 

[DAPUNISHER]

I had that board, an oldie but a goodie Yes it does have the divder so you can run 166fsb with PCI/AGP in spec. Now, it won't properly ID a mobile but because you have full overclocking control in the bios you can make one run anyways.

I would grab a mobile Barton that come@266fsb and overclock it. It is multiplier unlocked so you can set it where you like. The board won't recognize it, and it'll likely boot using a multi of 5x or 6x but you can just go in the bios and manually set everything up. If you need some reassurance, I have run different mobile CPUs in serveral different boards, and if the board has overclocking options it has always worked out very nicely.

The reason I'd go mobile Barton is not only that they are stellar overclockers for sktA but that the unlocked multi gives you flexibility in how you set it up.

 

[Goncyn]

Thanks for the advice. I am going to try out a Mobile Barton 2600+ - I really hope you're right and it works!

One more question: I'm a little out of the loop on putting together machines these days. Do I need to buy thermal paste for the heat sink, or will it come with adequate contact material on it already?

 

[DAPUNISHER]

Mobiles are OEM so no cooler or T.I.M included. Just grab a tube of Ceramique' and you will be all set IF in the worst case senario it just won't boot *highly unlikely* LMK and for just the cost of shipping both ways I'll send you a Morgan core Duron to use to boot with, set everything manually, then save, exit, and turn off from the PSU switch before it can try to boot again. Then you can put the Mobile in and it should definitely boot then.
EDIT: Based on your early comment you should buy a good CPU cooler too. Text very easy to install and a good price for a good cooler. I ran a Barton@2.43ghz 1.85v on this no worries.

Another very good choice Text

 

[Goncyn]

Yeah, I was aware that I needed to buy a better HSF as well. I ordered a new power supply, the 2600+ Mobile Barton, and a Coolermaster XDream2 cpu cooler, along with some ceramique.

 

[Megatomic]

Why did you buy all that stuff and not get a decent NF2 board to run it on? You can get them used for a song these days.

 

[DAPUNISHER]

Originally posted by: Megatomic
Why did you buy all that stuff and not get a decent NF2 board to run it on? You can get them used for a song these days.

"I cannot simply get a newer motherboard because all my data (some of it important) is on a raid array connected to the onboard HPT370/2 controller." I do the same thing all the time scanning threads.

 

[Goncyn]

Originally posted by: Goncyn
I cannot simply get a newer motherboard because all my data (some of it important) is on a raid array connected to the onboard HPT370/2 controller.

Maybe at some point I'll buy a new motherboard, but for now I'm kinda stuck.

 

[Megatomic]

You could burn all the data to a CD or DVD then you're free and clear to move on. I've never had data get in the way of a sweet hardware upgrade.