CPU upgrade for ASUS P3B-F

[dchip]

Kinda, sorta OT.

Pondering taking my 2 year old Asus P3B-F from its present P-III 450MHZ to P-III 850MHZ. Upgrades like this don't come easy for me due to having to fool around with the bios and core cpu voltage and stuff. Anyhow, I still use the original bios for this board (simply known as V1.0A).. Can I go straight to the rev. 1006 from that one and expect the right support for the new CPU to be there, or should I do the three or so other revisions that preceded 1006? What's the best way to make sure I can flash back to V1.0A if something doesn't work?

Everytime I think of flashing the bios, I get visions of a dead computer, but since I hope to get another 2 years or so out of this box, I do need to do this upgrade while the chips can still be found. Need a little sound advice on proceeding with this. Thanks.

btw, cool-looking new site here. Fast too. I really like it.

[Dr Mordrid]

I've done this exact update on several systems.

First off find either the socket 370 adapter listed in my tag or the Asus Smart Slot 1. Either will set themselves up automatically for the new CPU once you set the system BIOS to JumperFree. This includes the voltages.

The BIOS can be updated to 1006 in one gulp. This is a necessary update as it adds support for CPU's with an 8.5 or greater multiplier, support for Coppermines with a 128k cache and fixes a Win2K issue with Super I/O.

The way to protect yourself is to choose the option in the AFlash BIOS updater to save the current BIOS before udating to the new one.

Works like a champ.

Dr. Mordrid

[dchip]

Hello Doc, and Thanks.

I notice in your tag that you have the FC-PGA Coppermine on your P3B-F. Is that what the 370 adapter allows? All the research I did on ASUS' site points me to the SECC2 version and no mention of the Smart Slot 1.

Who makes the Smart Slot 1?

Is the FC-PGA version of these P-III's better, performance-wise, than the SECC2?

Does the 1006 bios also allow for the 1.x CPU voltage? My current bios cpu core voltage starts at 2.0 and goes up, but not down.

Now the worrying questions. Will the bios upgrade leave everything else intact, i.e., all IRQ's and slot assignments, etc. as they are now or should I be prepared for possible conflicts?

I'm trying to build up my boldness about doing this upgrade. It's a stable system now with no major probs and I know I can count on the Rock-of-Gibraltar P3B-F to do it's part. Now I just have to do my part. Any other words you have a minute to offer would be much appreciated. Nothing is too insignificant. Thanks.

[Dr Mordrid]

ASUS itself makes the Smart Slot 1, it's just hard to find on their site. It's on this page;

http://www.asus.com/products/accessories.html

The FC-PGA's are better. First of all the FC = Flip Chip. This means the die is on TOP of the chip instead of the bottom. Because of this the die is in direct contact with the heat sink. Big advantage right there when it comes to cooling.

The Flip Chips (PIII and CeleronII) are also CopperMines, which means they have copper connects which lowers the internal resistance & therefore further lowers heat related problems. Because of this stability is better than the hotter running chips.

My PIII/850/100mhz FCPGA's only run about 88-98 F. most of the time. This one is running 92.3 F/33.5 C right now. I use a Golden ORB cooler.

Now...be aware that there is an even faster option IF YOU CAN FIND IT. There is a Slot1 1ghz/100mhz bus CPU floating around out there, but they are rare.

The 1006 BIOS allows for down to a 1.6 Vcore. No problem there. The adapter card will use the voltage the chip tells it to, but you can still tweak it in the BIOS.

Your BIOS settings should be written down before you start. When you flash the new BIOS you'll want to load in the new defaults and then change them to what you want to use. Basically this is because many BIOS routines use absolute addressing. This is a problem if the new BIOS has moved a routine to a new offset.

Dr. Mordrid

[dchip]

I haven't see that 1Ghz with 100Mhz FSB in a while. In fact, I cannot find the 850Mhz in the Socket 370 configuration, either. I might have to get on the phone and try to find it. I did find the adapter on tccomputers.com and now I understand what it does. Thanks for that.

I think I could settle on 850Mhz and I might have to go with the SECC2.. Those seem to be readily available right now. Must be the heat probs? I'll put in another case fan if it would help.

I must admit, you have me really thinking about that 1Ghz and I may be ready to embark on one of those deperate hunts. If I find it, I'll let you know where and how much. It probably would't be more that 50 bucks higher than the 850Mhz. We'll see. Thanks for the facts and info.

[Hulk]

Consider this...

If you want to get the most life out of your system you should strongly consider a 1000MHz PIII w/100MHz bus using SECC2 style chip. No socket 370 to slot 1 adapter needed!

You can buy the retail chip at GoogleGear for $215.

Here is the link:

http://www.googlegear.com/ggweb/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=80607

Mark

[Dr Mordrid]

There 'ya go. Source, link & price. What more could you ask?

Dr. Mordrid

[dchip]

That's why this place is unbeatable as a resource. Wow! Hulk, thanks for the info. You been pretty happy with service and products from Googlegear? Their prices are remarkable.

Doc. So glad you mentioned the 1 gig upgrade. So bios revision 1006 on P3B-F should allow support for 1Ghz? That will be a nice step up. I am going to go ahead and order that one and let the "chips" fall where they may. 15% restocking fee makes me a bit twitchy but I can live with. I guess my P3B-F should get ready. It's about to get a real workout, but I will stay at 100Mhz with it.

[Rob100]

FYI I have FC-PGA Celeron II 600 running at 900 with no problems on my P3B-F (9x100 MHZ), with just a slight voltage tweak.

[Greebe]

Has anyone noticed...

that there is more to the MURC forums than just Desktop Video?

(thread should be in General Hardware/Software)

This is not a whine, *itch, gripe, moan, groan or complain, just a Hello people!

[dchip]

The only reason I am doing the upgrade is better video handling. The best advice I could get is right here. I don't need Quake players to help me out (no offense to same). I need good words from people who use their computers for video editing. Am I wrong? Am I in the wrong place?

[Greebe]

You were simply asking what cpu would be best with you're P3BF MB. That question is simple to answer.

Next since I am the moderator of said forum, anything that has todo specifically with Desktop Video editing I move immediately to this forum.

I resent (and I am sure most others in GH/S forum do to) your comment...

I don't need Quake players to help me out.

Most don't play Q3A at all, nor do I. I do have it, but only for test purposes as I am a Matrox "Graphics" Beta Tester. Your assumption is not only in poor taste, but extremely politically incorrect (regardless of end comment)!

I do have a great deal of respect for Chris, Doc (et al) whom basically live in this forum. Do to their considerable knowledge I do appreciate them giving you a straight up answer. But this question could have been answered in it's appropriate forum just as well, maybe even more so.

[dchip]

I do not seek to break any rules. I have had a good relationship with this forum for almost two years now. I like the new look but not your tone Greebe. There was no need for you to post on this thread, whatsoever. I have had many a very productive exchange with Doc and others here and they do not mind. It always ends up leading back to Desktop Video. Okay?

[Greebe]

I do not seek to break any rules.

In my first post I only mentioned that this thread was in the wrong forums and then ended it with a smiley. (please reread

That was all, nothing more, nothing less. Additionally I can respect you going to Doc (et al) for answers to this querry. I do the same.

There was no need for you to post on this thread, whatsoever.

Excuse me?! This is an open forum to which anyone can answer to anything. Was I wrong in doing so, not at all. I've noticed that most don't even acknowledge that there is more to the MURC forums other than Desktop Video. (just a casual observation)

My second post was a bit inflamitory only because of the disrespect directed toward those whom contribute and make the MURC forums as good (quality) as they are.

Tho I should have ended my last post with a smiley.
(would that have helped?)

I don't wish these postings to become awash in further disrespect or leading it away from it original intent, which was not it's purpose.

(Forest from the trees, FOREST FROM THE TREES!

Okay?

[Hulk]

I ordered my PIII 850 from them a while back and had no problems. I always feel better about ording a retail chip.

Mark