What do Tualatin adapters do?

[computer]

Hi group, I just saw this @geeks, never saw one before. If (for example) PIII 1ghz FCPGA2 Tualatin CPU's have the same voltage requirement as a some non Tualatin, why are these needed? Image I have several socket 370 mobo's that do NOT mention any FCPGA2 support, yet they work fine with the FCPGA2 CPU's. Could something be 'damaged' by doing this? If the mobos' voltage regulators show the correct vcore in the BIOS, then why would an adapter be needed?
Thanks.

 

[AndyHui]

The Tualatins have different pin-out definitions as opposed to Coppermine and other S370 processors. Differences include bus termination, VRM tables and AGTL+ voltages.

Such an adapter is needed for all non-Tualatin compliant chipsets and motherboards.

Note that FC-PGA2 is not exclusive to Tualatins. While all Tualatins are FC-PGA2, not all FC-PGA2 processors are Tualatin. Some cD0 stepping Coppermines are FC-PGA2.

 

[computer]

Thanks for the reply. So, are you saying that if the CPU fits (and they do) and the computer works (and they do), it's safe to use it?

The mobo in question now is the MSI MS-6366 (Pro266 Master), and there is no mention of this in their CPU chart EITHER way; the PIII 1ghz/133 Tualatin is not even listed. The CPU has the heat spreader, and is labeled FCPGA2, and Google called it a "Tualatin". What I need to find out is how to determine these Non-Tualatin boards. By "pin out" do you mean the actual physical pin number total/or specific layout, or just that different pins have different functions? In the case of the former, if they don't support the CPU, then it wouldn't fit in the socket. If the latter, that would mean the CPU would "fit" but may not be compatible.

An OS hasn't been tried but the board boots in DOS fine and POST's OK, however the voltage regulators (PHP50N03LT) are getting rather hot and I'm trying to sort of determine if this is simply just due to the board's characteristics, or due to an unsupported CPU type.
Thanks again.

 

[0roo0roo]

or just that different pins have different functions?

yes

 

[computer]

Ok, so does that mean it could still work and NOT be supported? Or, is the fact it's working on the mobo indicative that it IS supported? I can't find if this CPU is a Tualatin or not DEFINITELY. It's code is BX80526C1000256SL5FQ and I checked the box again and it does NOT say "Tualatin" on it, only FCPGA2. Oddly enough I can't find any Intel spec page on SL5FQ like they have for all of their other codes! I was just able to find this page and according to it, this is NOT a Tualatin since they didn't even start until 1.13ghz. Can anyone verify that?

 

[0roo0roo]

tually celly 1.1-1.4ghz 256k cache 100mhz bus
tually p3 1.1-1.4+ghz 512k cache 133mhz bus.

if its one of the above its a tually. u can always try anyways, but i'd go for an adaptor if i were u. bad idea.

 

[Bitek]

1000256

May be tually, but more info needed.

The tualerons (tual celerons) are labelled as speed (1000), Cache (always 256k), bus speed (100,) and voltage (~1.5v) on the chip. Something like 1000/256/100/1.5v for a 1.0A tualeron. This is the easiest way to tell.

If its labeled 1000/128/100/1.7V then its a reg celeron, if 1000/256/133/1.7v then its a coppermine P3.

As far as I can tell, the adapters just rewire the connection between mobo socket the CPU, to correct the pin changes. Many boards can be easily modded directly (if they support 1.5v) to correct this as well. I adapted my slotket to accept a 1.0a tualeron on my bx. Read how here for some basic info.

Some of that info in the page is wrong, the tualatin celerons started at 1000 mhz.

 

[AndyHui]

The SL5FQ is a cD0 Coppermine Pentium III processor, not a Tualatin.

If your motherboard supports Coppermine processors, there is no need to buy an adapter or make modifications to the socket.

 

[0roo0roo]

its just a rewire yea. i ripped certain pins out of one of my tuallies, and just covered em for another. also had to do a wire reroute on the slocket so its kinda impossible to do with a socket board. u need an adaptor.

 

[computer]

Andy, that's just what I was looking for, but Google didn't have that page cataloged. Thanks to all. I also found this page which clears up some things.

 

[computer]

I just noticed something on that Intel spec page, it says it's an FCPGA1, but it's not. It's an FCPGA2. 0roo 0roo, I'm not aware of any PIII 1ghz+ CPU's w/512k cache, can you verify that? I thought the 512k units left with the slot 1 L2 running @half chip speed, then went to 128k in the Celeron FCPGA and 256k full speed in the PIII FCPGA. I believe some faster Celerons have 256k. ?

 

[0roo0roo]

tually celerons are 256k
tually p3's are 512k.

believe me. a p3 with 256k is a coppermine.

check newegg.com

 

[RalfHutter]

Originally posted by: 0roo0roo
tually celerons are 256k
tually p3's are 512k.

believe me. a p3 with 256k is a coppermine.

check newegg.com

This isn't true. All this PIII Coppermine/Tualatin/Celeron stuff can get pretty confusing and unfortunately Intel deosn't make it too easy to sort it all out.

Here's the deal:

All the regular PIII Tualatins have 256kb of cache.

Only the three PIII-S Tualatin server CPUs have 512kb of cache.

All the PIII Coppermines have 256kb of cache.

All Tualtin-based Celerons have 256kb of cache.

Here's a chart that shows the breakdown of this.

Here's the Intel Processor Spec Finder that you can also use to verify this.

 

[computer]

Thanks.