Slot to Socket Upgrade Options

[BDawg]

Currently, I have an IBM Aptiva with a Slot 1 PIII 933. Due to a crappy motherboard and case/power supply, I'm thinking about keeping the guts and buying a new motherboard and case.

If I do this, would it be possible to buy a FCPGA motherboard with a slot 1 adapter so I can keep my current CPU, but upgrade later? From what I understand, intel isn't going to be making slot 1 for to much longer.

 

[Windogg]

There are no Slot 1 to FCPGA adapters available. Your best bet is to get a good Slot 1 mobo (not many left). Also be aware that you need one that can support 133Mhz FSB reliably since you have a 933. Older BX boards may be a bit flaky so look at one based on the VIA Apollo 133A. There are a few good ASUS ones you can look at.

Windogg

 

[Killer Ape]

To expand a little on Windogg's comments, a BX Slot1 Mobo at 133 MHZ FSB will force you to run your AGP bus at 89 MHz, due to a lack of a 1/2 AGP multiplier. This can make your vidcard go :Q. That's a big reason why a VIA Slot 1 solution would probably be best.

 

[BDawg]

Any opinions about which is the best motherboard to get for this?

 

[denon]

if you have a good video card, that is no problem and its a nice performance increase

 

[Windogg]

I've had very good luck the Asus P3V4X. It's based on the VIA Apollo 133A chipset.

Thanks to Killer Ape for filling in the major gap I left out. Indeed the 440BX does not have a 1/2 AGP multiplier which means it will be running at 89Mhz vs. 66Mhz. Some videocards will do 89Mhz just fine but others will simply crash during boot up. The Apollo 133A does have a 1/2 AGP divider so you can run at default 66Mhz.

Windogg

 

[BDawg]

The innards are pretty good

GeForce DDR
SB Live
Netgear 10/100
128MB
45 GB ATA 66
16x Pioneer DVD
8/12/32 Ricoh CDR

It's just that the motherboard only has 3 pci slots, 2 memory slots and the power supply is weak. Plus I'd like a place to mount another HD later

While we're at it, how about some good places to buy motherboards and cases online

 

[subhuman]

I have this in my clipboard already, so check out This Case in BLACK (scroll down).

if you just want to replace the power supply, i've had reallly good luck with the ANANDTECH suggested Antec PP303X power supply. I always get them from buy.com using coupons.