Fastest CPU for an A7M266??

[stranger707]

I can't ever seem to get into the technical section of the ASUS web site, and when I can half the documents have broken links. Does anyone know what the fastest CPU is that I can install in the ASUS A7M266?

 

[jonmullen]

It should be ok with any of the Athlon Xp's as long as they have a 266fsb. So all but the 2800+ which I don't even think has shipped yet.

 

[CraigRT]

you might not be able to use TBreds in that.
better watch out.
I can't put a TBred in my KT266A mobo.

you may be stuck with Palomino Athlon XPs
the highest my board can take is an XP2100+ and its from the same era as yours roughly.

 

[Shaidar]

stranger707, please ignore the first reply in this thread, as it is completely wrong and will cause you to waste money. Simply because the fsb of these processors are 266mhz is no indication they will work in any random board that supports 266mhz fsb. Here are the facts:

The highest CPU that can be installed on the A7M266 without extensive modifications is the XP2200, and even that is a chore. To run the XP2200 you will need an updated bios, voltage jumpers moved, fsb changed manually on the board, and a bios tweak(slew rate changed). Even then it is a toss up if it will work. It has been documented that some boards STILL won't post with this chip(XP2200), even after seasoned computer geeks have went through all the motions of attempting to install it. Even others have seen it crap out after a few months for unknown reasons. It seems to be real iffy if it will work and for how long. I know that at least a few guys have had the XP2200 running successfully on the A7M266 for quite some time now, but your mileage may vary.

The highest chip that has worked successfully on this board with limited changes that need to be made is the XP2100. If you want to save yourself a headache then buy that one, it's basically plug and go. I would however suggest updating your bios to 1008.02b. Get it from here. If you are having trouble getting to the Asus site I can email it to you.

Also, the bios should be updated PRIOR to installing the new chip.

Hope this helps. Don't make the same mistake alot of guys did and buy ANYTHING higher than the XP2200(unless you enjoy throwing money directly out the window and wasting time). I personally suggest the 2100 as there is no real documented problems with this chip and board.

Shaidar

 

[jonmullen]

I thought you could put a TBred with a BIOS update. I have a Asus KT266A myself.

And the final vertic is Yes for the A7M266 with BIOS update 1007 for Tbred support and Yes for A7V266-E(Kt266a RAID) after PCB 1.07 and BIOS 1010. Here is the data from Asus.

Edit: After seeing Shaider's post I feel I must defent my self. The facts is that Tbred processors are support for all versions of the board aslong as you have BIOS 1007. Now Shaider if you feel you know something that the makers of the motherboard do not then by all means please share.

 

[Shaidar]

Originally posted by: jonmullen
I thought you could put a TBred with a BIOS update. I have a Asus KT266A myself.

And the final vertic is Yes for the A7M266 with BIOS update 1007 for Tbred support and Yes for A7V266-E(Kt266a RAID) after PCB 1.07 and BIOS 1010. Here is the data from Asus.

Edit: After seeing Shaider's post I feel I must defent my self. The facts is that Tbred processors are support for all versions of the board aslong as you have BIOS 1007. Now Shaider if you feel you know something that the makers of the motherboard do not then by all means please share.

Well jonmullen, the facts are that Bios 1007 does NOT, and I repeat NOT allow you to use the higher processors on this machine(above XP2200). As documented on every single Asus message board on the entire planet for the last 6 months. Go to www.amdmb.com and do a search under there Asus motherboard forums and watch the HUNDREDS of posts that come up in regards to this. Here is a starter for you: link. Or search amdzone, or hardocp or any forum that references asus mobos.

You have nothing to defend, as you are wrong. I am not here to get in any pissing match with anyone, but you are leading this guy astray and he will end up wasting money. I repeat AGAIN, anything higher than the XP2200 is NOT supported by this board(without soldering bridges, and even then its probably a no go). As for the 2200, there is known issues even there. Stick with the 2100...the highest reliable CPU upgrade with the Asus A7M266 mobo.

Shidar

 

[jonmullen]

Thanks for the info I did not realize the problem. As far as CPU recomendation I would have to go with Shaidar that the 2100 is a good CPU, but I would still recomend getting a TBred version of it since they have scaled the TBred down all the way to the 1700 if I remember.

 

[stranger707]

Thanks to everyone for the information. I would like to upgrade the computer with this motherboard, but I don't want it to become an effort in frustration. I would like to get a much faster CPU, but I am not going to overclock to get there. This will just be a backup computer for me now that I am building an ASUS A7N8X w/ 2800+, GeForce4 4600 and twin IBM SCSI 15,000 rpm Ultra160 drives. If I need speed I will use the new system.

This old system has some good components, like Mushkin PC2100 DIMMs, a GeForce3 Ti200 and 3 SCSI hard drives. I can't see putting it out to pasture with such good components, so maybe a processor upgrade will make it a full-time SETI solution crunch machine.

 

[jonmullen]

Very good TeamAnand Tech could always use another number cruncher.