478 MOBO-CPU Problem

[Debbie]

I have just managed to find a spare 478 MOBO for my PC.
I also found a CPU that matches the specs, with the exeption that it's cache is 1M and
according to the MOBO manual , it's chipset is designed to work with 512-KB L2 cache.

What are the chances of geting the CPU/MOBO to work with 1M cache ?

[Evildead666]

It should still work, just that it might not run at the right speed.
The MicroCode for the CPU cannot update the BIOS, which isn't a big problem.

Plug it in, fire it up, and check in the BIOS and POST screens if everything is correct.
Check all the speeds just to make sure its not outside the specifications, and then you can boot and see how stable it is...

Check for a BIOS update for the Mobo also, they allow newer processors to be accepted.

Jez

[Debbie]

Thanks for your reply.
See manual. It is mentioned under CPU, Cipset and Memory.

http://rapidshare.com/files/44950880/mx4sgin-ol-e.zip.html

[Evildead666]

This board accepts 800MHz front side bus processors, so there shouldn't be a problem.
The voltages will be fine, the Cache doesn't make a huge difference to the compatibility.

Can't find in the manual whether the Pentium-D processors are compatible, but I don't remember them being on S478 anyway...

I am pretty sure it will work fine.

Jez

[Debbie]

Thanks Jez,

I eventually powered up and went to the CMOS settings and so far so good. I then left
the machine to continue but it came up with a message saying that the MOBO will not
take a "Prescott" CPU and in a second it switched off.

All the specs. have been according to the manual exept the 512-KB L2 cache and like you
I can't see anyting that can stop the machine from booting because of the cache.

I have attached the relevant part of the manual.

[Taz]

Do you have the latest BIOS version installed?

[Debbie]

The last BIOS update only had a fix in the SYS Temp. I expect that it should work on a
P4, 3 GHz, FSB 800 even as it comes from the factory since it has been designed to take
those specs too.

[Taz]

Sometimes they have changes that aren't documented I find it's usually best to have the latest version regardless

[Evildead666]

In the manual is specifies that a prescott CPU is OK.

There was a 109 BIOS on the Aopen site I think, you should update the BIOS, but do it with a different CPU installed.

DO NOT up date the BIOS with the Prescott CPU installed.
If it crashes during BIOS update, good bye motherboard.

None of the BIOS updates on the Aopen site were very informative as to what they did, but I would still put the latest BIOS in, but make sure the system is perfectly stable before doing so.
i.e. Make sure you have an accepted CPU to do the BIOS update, then put the Prescott CPU in after the update, once you have verified that the BIOS flash went OK.

The extra cache won't stop it booting, its should all be benefits from that point of view...

Good luck, and if you're not sure about something, don't do it and get some help.

edit : y Just for clarification you are not trying to install a Dual core cpu are you ? (Smithfield or something ? Not sure if S478 had dual cores...)

Question : Which processor is it, exactly that you have already, and the new Prescott one..? i.e. Pentium 570 or Pentium 4 3.2GHz or whatever. Will help greatly

[Mehen]

If I remember correctly the 5x0 naming series was for s775, whereas it was 2.xE or 3.xE for 478.

[Debbie]

I used my P4, 2.5, FSB 400, 512 cache. That's as close as I can get to the max. specs.
Everyting worked like a charm. I contacted the guy that sold me the MOBO and he insisted not to use a 1M cache. He said it will not work.

PC Wizard is a nice and effective, freeware app.
get it here:

http://pc-wizard-2007.en.softonic.com/

Minimizing will leave some info showing at the top right corner of the screen.