FIC AN11 Stealth and possible processor question

[GryphonKlaw]

Hi,

Right now I have an FIC AN11 motherboard with a 1.4 ghz T-bird. Yes, a T-bird. I want to do a small budget upgrade right now to play Doom III somewhat reasonably since I'm saving up to upgrade later, when the nforce 4 and latest AMD processors come out.

Anyway, here is my question. Over at the AMD site, it says the highest processor this board can take is an XP 2200+, at the FIC website it says that the highest it can take is an XP 2100+, and other people tell me that it can take any FSB 266 processor, specifically these:
XP-M3000+ Barton ( L2 512KB) 16.5x133MHz = 2200MHz
XP-M2800+ Barton ( L2 512KB) 16.0x133MHz = 2133MHz
XP-M2600+ Barton ( L2 512KB) 15.0x133MHz = 2000MHz
XP 2600+ T-bred B (L2 256KB) 16.0x133MHz = 2133MHz
XP-M2500+ Barton ( L2 512KB) 14.0x133MHz = 1867MHz
XP-M2400+ Barton ( L2 512KB) 13.5x133MHz = 1800MHz
XP 2400+ . Thorton (L2 256KB) 15.0x133MHz = 2000MHz

So do you think that this KT266A board can take any those (all those beat the hell out of an XP 2100 and 2200+)? The same people who told me that also told me it won't recognize in the BIOS but it will still run at the proper speed. I've also been told that XP mobiles can be overclocked out the wazoo on stock cooling. Is this true?

I came here to ask this question because I come to this site almost daily and after reading the material
here, I think you guys are the most knowledgeable on this subjects.

Also, right now I have 256 PC2100 (yes, it sucks, I know) and am going to get 1 or 2 more 256 mb modules. Can I get faster RAM and put it in there even if it won't run at that speed? Just so I won't have to buy RAM in the future since they are priced about the same.

Any and all help is accepted.

 

[GryphonKlaw]

Anyone?

 

[o1die]

To be safe, I would write fic technical support. They have a form to fill out. You want to ask them if the an11 will work with "thoroughbred" cpus. If it does, I would go with a mobile xp2000-2400, assuming your board has multiplier adjustments. The bios won't recognize mobile cpus (lists them as "unknown cpu"), but they should still run fine with manual adjustments if the board works with thoroughbreds. If the board lacks multiplier adjustments, I would go with a regular xp2400, which is fairly cheap. If the board only works with "palimino" cpus, the 2100 will be the maximum cpu you can use, which is what the last bios update lists. Paliminos may be a little tough to find. Places that specialize in older stuff, such as computer geeks, may be your best bet.

 

[GryphonKlaw]

Thanks for replying. I was wondering if anyone would hear my cry for help.

I sent a letter to FIC and asked about the Thoroughbred compatiblity just as you suggested. My motherboard does have multiplier adjustments, I've just never changed them since I have a crappy stock heatsink and fan. And if the motherboard does support Thoroughbred, I'll just go for the XP 2600+, I have my eye on one on ebay.

 

[bootoo]

N/mind, thought you were talking regular barton vs. tbbred b, sorry you'll have a nice chip no matter what you choose!

 

[GryphonKlaw]

Actually I was able to work some more money out of my parents so I'm going to upgrade my motherboard and CPU. Thanks for the help anyways.