PIII 700 FC-PGA $215.84 Shipped after rebates--MOST are cB0 Stepping!!

[PerryTexan]

****EDIT****
Considering the fact that Onvia AND Computers4sure.com are both sending out cB0 steppings for many members, I have been asked to modify the title to update this post; here are the changes:

Onvia.com has this processor listed at $264.82, and they show it to be in stock; with the $25 coupon, that brings the price down to $239.82, and then with another $23.98 in PointClick rebates, makes the total price for the processor from Onvia: $215.84 Shipped. Here's how it breaks down:

Processor: $264.82
Coupon: ($25)
Pointclick 10% rebate: ($23.98)
Shipping: FREE!!
Total price after coupon, rebate and shipping: $215.82
MOST OF THE MEMBERS HERE ARE NOW RECEIVING cB0 STEPPING PROCESSORS!!!

Here is the link to the processor:
http://www.onvia.com/usa/products/index.cfm?Task=ViewProduct&SearchText=fc%252Dpga&IdCatalog=2472551

This deal was actually posted by someone else a couple of weeks ago, but I couldn't find the thread to reference it.

The price at Computers4sure.com is now at $259.99, and with the Brandsforless.com $25 rebate, it brings the price down to $234.99, and the shipping is also rebated back to you via Brandsforless.com, as long as it's UPS Ground. That makes the total price for one of these chips from C4sure $234.99 shipped.

PEOPLE ARE ALSO RECEIVING cB0 STEPPINGS FROM HERE AS WELL!!!!


Here is a link to the product:

http://www.computers4sure.com/product.asp?productid=94890

Here's how it breaks down:

Processor: $259.99
Rebate: ($25)
Shipping rebate: ($7.80)
Total shipped after rebate: $234.99

 

[Ace4]

Or you can get one from one of the places on pricewatch for $228 + $11 shipping, and not have to worry about waiting for a rebate. Costs a little more, but my experience with rebates is iffy.

Ace4

 

[radian]

bfl has always come through for everybody on this board that has used it

 

[IMJedi]

sounds like a great deal! if you're not planning on overclocking it much since its the 133mhz bus version.. I'd get the 700e instead.. wait.. do they even put the e on the 700? do they even have 100mhz bus for the 700 anymore?? just get the 650 and o/c it to 900..

 

[PerryTexan]

Ace4--

I wouldn't buy ANYTHING from the crooked vendors who advertise on PriceWatch, and play their little "shipping" game. Besides, those are all OEM, and this one is Retail, and I've never had any problems getting my rebate checks from BFL.

IMJedi--This one *IS* the 100MHz bus chip--they don't *HAVE* a 700 with a 133MHz bus (the closest they have is a 733), because there is no multiplier that fits the 700MHz chip speed (i.e.: 133 X 5.5 = 731.50, or 733; 133 X 5 = 665); the information about the bus speed being 133 is an error.

 

[conroeguy]

I came to the same conclusion about the bus speed. I consulted a few pages at http://www.intel.com and http://www.tomshardware.com to discover there are now 133mhz bus 700Mhz PIII's.

Then I did the obvious thing and hit the TechSpec tab on the Computers4sure page. It listed it as a 100mhz bus speed there. Somebody at C4Sure goofed up.

However I'm not sure about that stock number. I ordered one when it said 52. My buddy ordered one at the same time. It says they have 51 in stock now. 52-2= 51???? Me thinks the page isn't that dynamic after all.

 

[mechwarrior]

I ordered a 700E from Computers4sure on 6/4. They had 142 in stock and paid $232 after the $30 rebate. Missed the extra $20 off.

Beware! If you are expecting the cb0 stepping you may not get one! I took a chance and didn't! 3/31/00 build date Philippines. I can only get 840 @ stock voltage.

Talk about bad luck. Didn't get the cb0 stepping and missed out on the $20 rebate.

Just a word of warning...

 

[Ace4]

Oh, didn't see it was retail. Nevermind.

Ace4

 

[conroeguy]

What does cb0 mean?

 

[JmsAndrsn]

Conroeguy,
The information you saw on the Intel PIII's was either incorrect or perhpas you misinterpreted the data. All PIII's will have default bus speeds of either 100 or 133 MHZ. The speed is then determined by multiplying the bus speed times the CPU multiplier. The multiplier on all Intel PIII CPU's will be a multiple of 1/2 (ie. 5, 5.5, 6, 6.5, etc). If you look at PIII's that run with a 133 MHZ bus speed, the only possibilities in that range will be 667 MHZ(5 x 133) and 733 MHZ(5.5 x 133). A PIII 700 will run on a 100 MHZ bus speed with a multiplier of 7X.

 

[PerryTexan]

I checked this morning with C4Sure, and they TOLD me that my processor had shipped yesterday, but the information about my order on their site still showed "Pending Shipment"; I just checked again, and NOW it shows it was indeed shipped, and I got a tracking number!!

WOO HOO!! At long last, there IS somebody with processors in stock!! Also, the web page NOW shows that there's 256 in stock!! Get 'em while they're hot!!

 

[golfisart]

Hello, PerryTexan. Please compare this slocket cpu to the slot 1 p3 for $166 at Comp4Sure. I need something for my shopss box and don't know jack. Thanks.

 

[PerryTexan]

Hi, Golfisart--

Either of the processors will work in the Shopss.com computer, it really boils down to what you want to do with it. Personally, I would rather have a 700MHz that runs at a default FSB speed of 100MHz for $212 than a 667MHz that runs at a default FSB speed of 133MHz for $166, because the overclocking potential of the 700 makes it a FAR better deal than the 667.

IF you are looking to buy the cheapest P3 you can, and have no plans to overclock, and are also confident that the Video card that comes with the Shopss.com computer can handle the 133MHz FSB (making the AGP bus speed around 89MHz instead of the default 66MHz), then by all means, get the 667.

HOWEVER--if you're willing to spend a little more money--$47 to be exact, and get a 700MHz that has the potential to run all day at around 900MHz or more, then I suggest getting the 700MHz. It really depends on what you want, and what you plan to do with it.

 

[lily]

hi, perrytexan,

please excuse my ignorance. What's the difference between using slot 1 and using socket 37 or whatever? Do I need to buy some accessories to put the PIII700 into Shopss's box?

 

[PerryTexan]

Hi, lily--

There are two formats in which to obtain a Pentium III processor--Slot one, also known as Single Edge Contact Cartrige, or SECC, and there is a Socket 370 format, also known as FC-PGA (Flip Chip-Pin Grid Array). It is called "Socket 370, because the processor fits into a socket, and there are 370 contact pins on the chip itself.

The motherboard that comes with the Shopss.com computer is a slot1 motherboard, and to use the 700MHz FC-PGA processor requires the use of an adapter, sometimes referred to as a Slocket, Slotket, CPU Bridge, CPU Adapter, or many other names. There are a few that are specifically designed to work with the new, Coppermine processor (of which both of the processors in question are).

Basically, if you get the 667MHz, you can simply slide it into the slot and boot, but you won't get the performance advantage of the 700MHz chip.

If you get the 700MHz processor, you will need the adapter, and there are many around, some as low as $5, and they range all the way up to over $30 for some unscrupulous vendors (stay away from them!!).

I hope this clarifies the differences, and if you really want to learn more, I suggest you check out some of the hardware sites, like Tomshardware.com, sharkeyextreme.com, firingsquad.com, and hardocp.com--they have some great articles on hardware, and can point you in the right direction for additional information on other subjects.

 

[Trifecta]

Am I the only one who thought that the 133mhz bus speed was superior to 133?

 

[PerryTexan]

Hi, Trifecta--

I think you may have a misconception about FSB speeds. First of all, if a processor is DESIGNED to utilize a 100MHz FSB, and then you RUN the chip at 133MHz, then you have effectively overclocked it, and will see considerable improvement in speed; however, if the processor is designed to utilize the 133MHz FSB speed by default (as all the "B" designated chips do, like the 667MHz chip), then you have a lower clock multiplier, and chances are you cannot overclock it much more than the 133MHz FSB speed that it was designed for. Get a chip designed for a 100MHz FSB speed like the 700MHz chip, and THEN overclock it to 133.

 

[Trifecta]

i understand and agree, and am I wondering if you speak of covering the pin a14...?

Also, I got this quote of tomshardware which convused me thouroughly...


"Taking a look at the table on the last page makes the decision quite easy. Most Coppermines should be able to do about 700 MHz without difficulties. If you're out for big performance at a little price, go for the Pentium III models running 133 MHz and medium clock speeds: 533, 600 and 667 MHz. Clocking them at 150 MHz should always be possible, as the core speed does not rise that much. The effect of the higher bus speed is much better performance, particularly for games or graphic applications. Check the benchmarks later on in this article"

 

[lily]

Hi, Perrytexan,

the desperate lily spent almost two hours trying to find out which store has the CPU adaptor. Failed! Could you please tell me where you got it? Thanks a million.

 

[golfisart]

Hello PerryTexan, I wish I could trade you golf lessons for "do not be a computer dummie lessons." The information you have and your post are priceless. Thanks again.

 

[PerryTexan]

Hi, Trifecta--

If you are using a motherboard that has the FSB settings within the BIOS, you do not have to "block" any pins on the CPU; as far as what Tom says, he ASSUMES that:

A.) You have a motherboard that not only supports 150MHz FSB
B.) That the Video card you have will also support the higher bus speed (with an AGP card, the bus would be 100MHz and with a PCI card, it would be 37.5MHz, both of which are EXTREMELY high, and most cards WON'T work at these bus speeds)

Not to mention the fact that if you have a chip designed to run at 100MHz FSB, it will STILL be faster at 150MHz FSB than the chip designed to run at 133MHz running at 150MHz FSB, i.e.: 700MHz is figured by multiplying 7 X 100, so 7 X 150 would be 1050 (which may be unobtainable, but it SHOULD be able to at least hit 900-950MHz, meaning, a slightly lower FSB speed), while a 667 would be calculated by multiplying 5 X 133, so at 5 X 150, you would get a chip that maxed out at 750MHz. YOU choose--which would you rather have, a processor that is overclocked to the extreme, and only running at 750 MHz, or one that is within specs of most cards, running at 900-950MHz? I think the choice is clear. Bottom line--if you plan to overclock, do NOT buy a chip designed to run at the 133MHz FSB, rather get one designed to run at the 100MHz FSB speed (the 500 usually will run up to 750MHz, because it has a 5X multiplier, the 550 usually will run up to 825MHz, because of a 5.5X multiplier, the 600 usually will run at up to 900MHz due to the 6X multiplier (I have mine running rock steady at 810MHz right now), the 650 MAY run as high as 975MHz, due to the 6.5X multiplier, and the 700 has the potential to run at over 1.0GHz, due to the 7X multiplier--keep in mind that these speeds are achievable in some cases, due only to the RAM, Mobo, video card and cooling you have, as well as the other supporting card combinations, and the higher the speed you attempt, the less likely you will be to obtain higher speeds, due to limitations of the chips. I'll take my chances with the 700 running at 133MHz, rather than the 667 running at 150MHz.

Lily--

You should be able to use PriceWatch to find a really CHEAP CPU "Host Bridge Adapter" (probably as low as $5.00 + shipping) or you can go to Onvia.com, and purchase a MSI 6905Master v2.0 for about $13.14 shipped (that's what I bought a couple of months ago, and what I use; however, the price may be different now), or close to that.

Golfisart--

Thanks for the kind words; I've really done a bunch of research on this subject, and currently have TWO coppermines (besides the 700 I'm getting) overclocked, a 550 running rock steady at 743MHz, a 600 running rock steady at 810MHz, and I bought and then sold a 500 I had running rock steady at 710MHz about 6 months ago; I also have a Pentium III 500 Katmai running rock steady at 630MHz using an Alpha HS & Fan combo, and a Celeron 366 running rock steady at 550MHz. I have a Celeron 300a laying around as a backup that will easily run 464MHz, and of course, I have the $200 HP Pavillion I posted about a couple of weeks ago, running a CeleronII 566 at the stock speed, mainly because the Mobo doesn't support higher bus speeds, or it would be overclocked too!

Overclocking is where the best bang for the buck is achieved, and choosing the right chip is where the key is--ALWAYS get a chip designed for a lower bus speed, because they are ALL multiplier locked, and the only way to overclock is to raise the FSB speed. The lower the FSB speed they are designed for, the more room you have to experiment with FSB speeds to overclock them, and the easier they are to overclock.

 

[Trifecta]

That is so crytal clear. Thank you very much.

 

[airduct]

Thanks perry for the info, i just cut and paste your info to my archive for reference. thanks again for clearing up the techspeak.

 

[bclothie]

PerryTexan,

Did you receive your P3 700? Was it a cB0 stepping? Did anyone order using this deal and get a cB0 stepping?

 

[PerryTexan]

Hi, bclothie--

I haven't received my processor yet, it was just shipped out on Friday afternoon, and I chose UPS Ground. That means, at the very LEAST, I won't have it in hand until Tuesday, probably more likely Wednesday, and possibly as late as Thursday (which is what they're showing as the actual delivery date). As soon as I receive it, I'll find out if it's the cB0 stepping or not, and report it here.