Which FC-PGA PIII to use with Powerleap NeoS370 for dual CPU support on a BP6?

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mariner

Golden Member
Nov 23, 1999
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I'm trying to determine which PIII coppermine will support dual processor function on my Abit BP6 using the Powerleap adapter. It has to be the coppermine; the tualatin core cannot be adapted to the BP6's BX chipset. I have scoured the intel and powerleap sites and both say that not all PIIIs will support dual CPU. I think it will be a specific stepping(s) but I don't know which. Anyway, how can I tell which PIII to get?

mariner
 
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mariner

Golden Member
Nov 23, 1999
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I checked out the links. I think I found the answer I was looking for. On the BP6 site there were some good articles but I only found medthodology for hacking the mobo or the adapter. I don't want to do any soldering at this time.

On the intel site I found a document listing the different PIII FC-PGA370 steppings that supported DP:
Note: Pentium® III processor at 1.33, 1.20 and 1.13 GHz does not support Dual Processor. Please refer to
the Pentium® III Processor Quick Reference Guide for dual processor capability listed by processor s-spec.
Click to expand...
And, in document 24445348 there is a table indicating that these PIIIs up to 1.1GHz, using a 100MHz sys bus, will work in DP mode as long as the speeds are matched. PIIIs on a 133MHz sys bus will work up to "1BGHz" according to the same document (B=133MHz?). I found the s-specs but they don't shed any light on the DP capability of the PIIIs.


In the Neo S370 manual it states:

When used with * SMP-compliant CPUs, supports SMP (Symmetric
Mul ti -Processi ng) on dual -Socket 370 motherboards.

* It is important to note that not all Pentium III (FC-PGA) CPUs are SMP compliant. To see if Pentium
III CPU supports dual-processor operation, you need to know the version of the CPU (called
?stepping?). Check the Intel web site to see an updated list of the Pentium III CPUs and whether they
support dual-processor operation.
Click to expand...
This info appears to conflict with the Intel info. I have submitted a few questions to their support to clear this up.

So I guess the answer is, as long as I'm at 1.1GHz or less and the same speed for each CPU, I should get lucky and my BP6 will be around a few more years.

mariner
 
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mariner

Golden Member
Nov 23, 1999
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That's odd. The documents I found on the Intel site that listed steppings for the PIII don't even list a cA0 stepping; cB0, cD0, cA2 and others, but no cA0. But their site is large and maybe I just have not found what is there.

However, I did find several discussions involving cA0 when I Googled it. Actually I have found quite a bit of discussion on the PIII DP topic. Seems to be a "pay your money and take your chances" situation.

In addition to the links from Assimilator1 and Budman, 3 other links I found to be useful are:

checkmate.gr site (man I wish they'd date those pages!)
and
bp6.com site
and
Intel PIII specification document



mariner
 
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mariner

Golden Member
Nov 23, 1999
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First, you don't do it by hijacking someone else's thread.
Second, you might try looking around a bit before asking.
Third, visit the Powerleap website.
Fourth, learn to use Google.

Good luck.

mariner
 
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rommelrommel

Diamond Member
Dec 7, 2002
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Originally posted by: mariner
First, you don't do it by hijacking someone else's thread.
Second, you might try looking around a bit before asking.
Third, visit the Powerleap website.
Fourth, learn to use Google.

Good luck.

mariner
Click to expand...

That's a little harsh...
 
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mariner

Golden Member
Nov 23, 1999
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I don't think so. It was instructive, informative and ended with "Good luck", which I sincerely meant. Shouldn't we all follow those minimal rules in any forum?

mariner
 
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rommelrommel

Diamond Member
Dec 7, 2002
4,426
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First, it's hardly hijacking.
Second, maybe he has.
Third, how is that gonna help find a good deal on one.
Fourth, we could answer every post asking a question with "Use google."

I agree that was have to have some rules, but the guy has 10 posts, I think we can be more hospitable to the newbies. *shrug*

As for your original question, I'm not surprised that the intel info on SMP differs from other sources. Intel is kinda famous for saying "not supported" or something along those lines with tons of combos that work just fine. They just don't want people beating them over the head for not getting SMP support out of a chip that does work in SMP but was not designed/tested for it. Basically it's similar how AMD says XP's don't work in SMP but we all know a simple bridge mod will fix that problem. However, if they told the public that officially every nub that tried and failed would want a refund/replacement, and the price premium of MP's would virtually disappear.
 
Assimilator1

Assimilator1

Elite Member
Nov 4, 1999
24,152
517
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Yeah I think you were a little harsh mariner
First, you don't do it by hijacking someone else's thread.



Anyway,glad you found the link useful ,to a point;).......


Anybody know where we could buy the PC-PGA PII adapter for cheap?

Your question is a little confusing ,did you mean FC-PGA to Slot 1(these'll do PPGA too),PPGA to Slot1 or FCPGA to FCPGA-2?
 
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mariner

Golden Member
Nov 23, 1999
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The response I got from Powerleap support suggests that the PIII 1.1MHZ processor will work in smp mode. They didn't indicate what stepping though and never mentioned the need to hack the PL-Neo S370.

Harsh? Maybe a little. But not near as harsh as the treatment ephex used to give GUTB for slightly OT rants about Intel processors in AMD threads. If you wish to ask a different question or start a new topic you should start a new thread; that is the point of threaded forums isn't it? Besides, if you bury your question in another thread you run the risk of much fewer peoples seeing it.

Thanks for the help and links.

mariner
 
Assimilator1

Assimilator1

Elite Member
Nov 4, 1999
24,152
517
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1.1GHz you mean;)

If you wish to ask a different question or start a new topic you should start a new thread; that is the point of threaded forums isn't it? Besides, if you bury your question in another thread you run the risk of much fewer peoples seeing it.

Yep fair point
 
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randypj

Platinum Member
Oct 9, 1999
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So, mariner, what if all I ever wanna use is single slot one mobos for the rest of my life? Should I just buy a BH6???

Hehe....mariner gets pissy. That's a first. They really ain't no more good guys.
--Randy
 
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randypj

Platinum Member
Oct 9, 1999
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Been there....seen that....but you didn't get pissy in that thread, so I posted here. Interesting that you turned back into the nice guy again in that thread. Ya know....I might just get on that thread, and hijak it, too. ;)
--Randy
 
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mariner

Golden Member
Nov 23, 1999
1,008
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76
I flashed the bp6p3hpt BIOS found at bp6.com. I am running only 1 cpu in socket #1. I couldn't get it to boot the OS at FSB=100, 90 or 85MHz. I'm running at 66MHZ FSB right now (735MHZ). At 90 & 100 it wouldn't even complete the POST. Before this BIOS I was running the standard RU BIOS and could completely boot with an 85MHz FSB and sometimes with 90. So, the p3 version appears to be a step "backerds". Unless, there are some BIOS settings that could be tweaked for improvement. I tried a few and then tried reloading the defaults with the same result.

The Powerleap tech has been responsive and helpful. He said he had a BP6 board at work wnd would set it up to try and help find the right tweaks.

I think I'm running out of ideas. Looks like I'm destined to find the same fate as others, or maybe worse: I can't even get 1 cpu to run at full speed:brokenheart:

mariner
 
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