Upgrading a Celeron 366 System

[danelico]

I have a Celeron 366 (Socket 370) system (eMachines eTower 366id) and I have seen an advertisement for a Celeron 533MHz CPU that can be plugged into the existing system to upgrade it to the faster CPU. Can someone tell me the ideal upgrade path (talking only CPUs here) for this system? Is the 533 CPU the best upgrade or can the 600 or other CPU be equally effective? Is there a limitation to the system when exchanging the CPU (i.e. fasted CPU that will work)? I don't know what chipset this system uses.

 

[MadRat]

What chipset does your motherboard use? You may be able to put in a P!!! or Celeron2, but not always. Some of those eMachines used LX chipsets and cannot drop their voltage down below 1.8-volts. Ideally you want less than 1.8v, but at least getting down to there is a minimum.

In cases where you cannot drop voltage the Powerleap Adapter for Socket370 boards will come in handy.

 

[danelico]

This is what I have found out about my initial question. I have found that my system has a Celeron CPU that is based on the PPGA format. The fasted Celeron PPGA available is the 533MHz chip and so when desiring a simple upgrade the fastest CPU is the 533. This doesn't consider any other tweaks or additional hardware.

If I want to upgrade to the faster FC-PGA format CPUs I need to add a device, such as the PowerLeap PL-Neo S370 which will allow me to change to the pin-out format of the FC-PGA chips. This includes Celeron and P!!! chips. Also, if there is the possibility of doing the overclocking from the 66MHz FSB to the 100MHz FSB then I can actually squeeze a little more power out of the system.

Summary: the quick upgrade is plugging in a 533 PPGA Celeron in place of the 366 PPGA. Additionally I may be able to up the FSB clock speed to 100MHz if it is currently set to 66, and finally, to do the full upgrade I need to get the PowerLeap device and up the FSB to get a higher performing product. I think that's complete. Any additions?

 

[MadRat]

Since most PPGA c366's hit 550mHz, why not try that first?

 

[danelico]

What does a PPGA 533 get up to?

 

[MadRat]

Most cannot go past their stock settings. That core normally tops out at less than 600mHz.

 

[conlan]

danelico..... i have an e-tower 366i2 (internet rig) , it is an LX chipset. just remember , there are NO case fans in there , and adding fans to be able to over-clock (time , expense) would add up to just about what it would run you to just slap in a 533. im planning this same up-grade myself in the near future. ive already added 128mb sdram and a cd-rw , but i dont want to do much more with it cuz of the P.O.S. power supply. you could re-locate the hard drive to the bottom 5-1/2 bay (with rails) and install a case fan there(intake) , plus add a slot cooler(exhaust) in your ISA slot(if your not using it) if your set on over-clocking. EDIT- you CANNOT install a celeron2 FC-PGA cpu in a PPGA mobo last i heard.

 

[MadRat]

You can with a $35 slot-converter from Powerleap.

 

[conlan]

is that a FC-PGA to PPGA converter?

 

[MadRat]

Yes. Its called the Neo-S370. Its only listed at $24.95, so I guess my other price was too high.

Neo-S370

 

[conlan]

thanks for the info madrat , now i know where my 566 celly is going when i get a 700e.

 

[danelico]

conlan: have you overclocked your 366id yet, and if so, what is the process you used to get it to overclock? I've looked in the CMOS and don't find any setting that allow me to change the speed and I've looked on the motherboard and don't see any jumpers or switches that hint at this possibility. Also, since I don't know who really manufactures the mobo I don't know where to go to find any docs for it. Do you have any clues?

How about you madrat?

Thanks.

 

[MadRat]

No markings at all on the motherboard pose a problem. Luckily most motherboards use the Intel standard for pin markings. You may be able to locate the chipset. If its an LX then you're stuck with PPGA Celerons as the fastest option. If its a BX chipset then you should be able to run 100fsb FC-PGA chips in it.

 

[danelico]

It is an LX motherboard running at 66MHz FSB. Can this setup be upped, with the PPGA (either with the 366 or the 533), to 100MHz? What is the process or the steps necessary to do that, if it can be done?

Currently my plan is to just replace the 366 with a 533 chip and not mess with it from there. But there is, of course, that "extra little bit" of speed that may be able to be sucked out of it. And if so, then I'd like to give it a try. Anyone with a lead foot out there that can help me with this one?

 

[MadRat]

Your best bet is the PPGA 533 Celeron for an easy upgrade.

Otherwise I'd read up on the $25 Powerleap NEO adapter and try to see if you can run a Celeron 633+ since they run about the same price.

 

[danelico]

Thanks madrat. I appreciate all of the input you've given. At this point I think all I will do is to up the CPU to the 533. It's the quickest and easiest. The next purchase will probably be a full PC with as much power as is available at the time I purchase. Of course that will only last for a month or so as they continue to upgrade everything in unrelentless leaps.

Two years ago I purchased one of the first PIIIs (Slot 1) I could find (500MHz) and thought I was on top of the heap. Not long after that they were already coming out with 600, 750, etc. etc. You really can't buy to be at the top because it only lasts for a short while. You just have to buy because it suits your needs for the time being, and enjoy it while you can.

Anyway, thanks, I appreciate your help.