MULTIPROCESSOR SYSTEM

[alkader]

Some years back I had purchased a Dual-processor BX motherboard (slot 1) but had inadvertently installed two Pentium II instead of Pentium III CPUs. Mind you, this m/b is only an 100mhz FSB board. In the meantime a friend has decided to get rid of his 850mhz PIII. The question is, should I get his CPU and buy an additional 850 to make for this multiprocessor system. Your advice is greatly appreciated.:frown:

 

[AndyHui]

The usual problem with this sort of upgrade is BIOS Support and Voltage support.

BIOS support can usually be easily solved....go look at the manufacturer's website and see if they have a BIOS update that support Coppermine processors.

The second problem is voltage support and this is usually a little more difficult. Not all BX chipset based motherboards are capable of supplying the lower voltages that Coppermine Pentium III processors need.

Exactly which motherboard do you have? Manufacturer and model?

 

[BubbaWilly]

You'll also want to look for a revision number on the motherboard itself. Some motherboards of the BX boards were compatible with the newer Coppermine style PIII's, while others of the same model were not, based solely on their revision. This is also another factor, and you should consult the manufacturer's website for more information.

 

[alkader]

Dear Andy: Thanks for your quick response. The motherboard is a SOLTEK SL-68A with two Slot 1.
Maximum clock speed of 100MHz. This SL-68A has been discontinued, however, BIOS are available for update. I hate to discard this m/b and my intention is to build a reasonably good workstation at a minimum expense. Your input is greatly appreciated.

 

[ScottMac]

Once upon a time I tried a Coppermine processor in an Intel N440BX motherboard. The processor ran for weeks with no problem (voltage-wise), but on boot, I got a message that the processor was incompatible, and that the cache was shut down. It seemed to run at normal (non-cache-crippled) speed, but I finally went to the pcprogress website and ordered a couple 600 Katmai core processors (no "E", no "B" designations).

I'm sure it's true that some BX boards WILL support Coppermine processors, but you should check with the manufacturer specs to make sure.

Good Luck

Scott

 

[AndyHui]

According to Soltek, the SL-68A needs PCB rev XB to support Coppermine processors.

The latest BIOS, H4, does seem to support Coppermine processors.

 

[alkader]

Dear Andy, Bubba and Scott:

Many thanks fellows for your timely assistance. I am throughly impressed by the quick
response and help I get from this FORUM. Again, a million thanks. Keep up the good work.
Warmest regards. Al