Updating processor on Shuttle AK31 v1.3

[MickeyBoy]

Given the dropping prices for Athlons, I'm considering biting on a replacement for an aging Duron. An XP2500+ with the Barton core would be really sweet, but I'm not sure about compatibility. The BIOS history page for this MB on the Shuttle website states that the 5/8/02 version included support for the XP2100+. (I interpret the date internationally as August 5, 2002.) If the BIOS supports the 2100+, will it also support an XP2400+, if not the XP2500+?

thanks for any comments

 

[tcsenter]

AK31 supports all .18micron Athlon 'T-Bred' XPs, the upper limit for which is 2100+ if I recall correctly. The AK31 will support "some" .13micron T-Breds. Which ones? I don't know, Shuttle doesn't say. But I suspect it would be limited to all speed steppings which are also available in .18micron (i.e. max 2100+).

If the BIOS supports the 2100+, will it also support an XP2400+, if not the XP2500+?

There is no way to know without actually testing it or contacting Shuttle. There are a few different ways to implement CPU detection routines in the BIOS. You can add support for as many or as few processors as you desire. There is generally no "if - then" condition with processor support. Shuttle may have added support for processors higher than 2100+ or they may have cut it off at 2100+.

 

[kylef]

AK31 supports all .18micron Athlon 'T-Bred' XPs

I've never heard of a .18 micron Thoroughbred core. To my knowledge, there have been only two 0.18 micron cores from AMD, the Thunderbird ("Tbird") and the "Palomino" (formerly just "Athlon XP" but not anymore).

All Thoroughbred ("Tbred") cores that I'm aware of are 0.13 micron and use the new 1.5 V core voltage. The Palomino used a 1.75V core voltage.

My guess is that the Shuttle AK31 does not support the new 1.5V core voltage required by the Thoroughbred cores, and hence only the older 0.18 micron Palomino core cpu's will work correctly. I would also guess that this is NOT correctable with a BIOS fix, as the voltage regulators on the motherboard are probably not designed to support this core voltage.

If anyone knows differently, please let me know. I also have one of these boards and would love to throw a new Tbred cpu on it! But I just don't think it's possible, I'm afraid. Time to upgrade the mb... again... (in a few months)...

 

[tcsenter]

I've never heard of a .18 micron Thoroughbred core. To my knowledge, there have been only two 0.18 micron cores from AMD, the Thunderbird ("Tbird") and the "Palomino" (formerly just "Athlon XP" but not anymore).

Whoops! Thanks for correct info, slight lapse of memory on my part.

 

[kylef]

I ALMOST forgot about the "Morgan" core if you're a Duron fan... it too was 0.18 micron but had the slower 200 Mhz system bus. Since it's 0.18 micron it too should work fine in your Shuttle Ak31 motherboard.

As of today, Newegg still has the Palomino-core XP 1900 for $78. Almost all of the other Athlon XP cpu's they sell are now Thoroughbred cpu's. If you REALLY need a faster upgrade, try other vendors.

Note that today you will pay a small premium for a Palomino core cpu because they're in shorter supply. The Tbred cores are cheaper than Palominos because the smaller 0.13 micron process means AMD can crank out many more Thoroughbred cpu's per wafer of silicon than the Palominos. More cpu's per wafer = less expensive per cpu.

 

[tcsenter]

All Thoroughbred ("Tbred") cores that I'm aware of are 0.13 micron and use the new 1.5 V core voltage. The Palomino used a 1.75V core voltage.

Hey I get to return the favor.

Thoroughbred is available in 1.50v (L), 1.60v (U), and 1.65v (K) cores. For instance, Anand's June 10th, 2002 .13micron T-bred review used a 1.65v XP2200+ part.

As you suggested, when Shuttle indicates AK31 can use "some .13micron" (T-Bred) models, it may be referring to the lower limit of the voltage regulator precludes the use of some part numbers. Hard to know really without contacting them.

 

[kylef]

Cool! I didn't know that it was such a confusing mess

Actually, I'm excited that I might be able to run a Tbred on my old mb without upgrading.