"Walter L. Williams" said:
I've got a P2B-DS 1.06 D03 on the way, and I'd like to have dual 1GHz
processors.
The Asus site lists only the slot 1 versions as compatible, but the
FCPGA(1000/256/133/1.7V SL4C8) version is a heck of a lot cheaper, even
after purchasing a good slotket adapter (I'd like suggestions on these if
the chip works.
Can anyone verify either way whether it is possible or not?
====================================================
Walter Williams
Software Engineer
Sawtooth Software, Inc.
http://www.sawtoothsoftware.com
The 1.06 apparently has the "good" voltage regulators, so you can
use processors that run at less than 1.8V, without any goofy VID
mods.
The problem with duals, is getting the arbitration logic to work.
Asus S370DL slocket adapter - Simply works!
Powerleap PL-iP3/T slocket adapter - Single proc only, $$$
Powerleap PLP3/SMP - Compatibility list shows duals work in P2B-DS, $$$
Lin-Lin adapter - ???
Upgradeware Slot-T - Single proc only, until you do the following mod:
http://tipperlinne.com/slot-t.htm
Since the Slot-T is so cheap ($25, uses the "good" voltage regulators
already on your motherboard), it is worthwhile moving the one resistor
mentioned on the above page, to do your upgrade. These modules might
still be available at retail somewhere. If you are uncomfortable doing
SMT soldering, a local radio/TV repair might be able to handle it.
I do this stuff routinely at home with two 25W soldering irons to lift
0603 resistors, and some solder wick (thinnest available) to clean up
the copper pads. Even if you delaminated the resistor (unlikely), as
suggested could happen on the above web page, you can always replace
the function of a zero ohm resistor, with a short piece of a single
strand of wire taken from a power cord.
For an "out of the box" experience, this Powerleap product should work.
http://plpadmin.tempdomainname.com/PLP3SMP.html (claims to be dual capable)
For processors, you have to find ones that are dual capable as well.
Here, I'm a little out of my depth, as I have a P2B-S and only work
with a single processor.
In principle, a Celeron shouldn't work in dual mode, so the Coppermine
and Tualatin Celerons are ruled out. They would be fine if you are
only using one. I think these have 100MHz FSB and 256KB caches. There is
a Tualatin at 133MHz FSB and 256KB cache, which is also listed as not
dual capable.
The Tualatin 512KB cache processors (so-called server version) should
work in dual mode. (Maybe the Intel site lists these as Pentiums.)
Since they all use a 133MHz FSB, your motherboard and AGP card have
to be able to handle 133MHz and 89MHz respectively. These are still
quite expensive, compared to the Celerons, and all you're really getting
for the money, is the couple extra signals to make arbitration work.
The Coppermine Pentium should work, but these only go to 1Ghz or so.
You have to find the processor datasheets on developer.intel.com and
get the "Spec Update" for the Pentium, to be able to see whether duals
are officially supported. In a few cases, Intel simply didn't spend the
time testing some of them, and that is why they aren't listed. This page
shows the SECC2 module version of the Coppermine Pentium being used
in the P2B-DS - a FCPGA version of the same processor should work in
the "modified for SMP" Upgradeware Slot-T:
http://www.tipperlinne.com/p2b-ds.htm
The processorfinder.intel.com website allows you to review the product
available from Intel, but the dual capabilities are not always properly
listed on the individual S-Spec web pages. That is why browsing the
processor datasheets and Spec Updates is necessary.
http://developer.intel.com/design/pentiumiii/specupdt/244453.htm
The tables at the bottom of these two links might help identify processors
suitable for use in "duals":
512KB cache Pentium III
http://developer.intel.com/design/PentiumIII/prodbref/index2.htm
256KB cache Pentium III
http://developer.intel.com/design/PentiumIII/prodbref/
Other info on P2B mods can be found from this page (top of site):
http://www.tipperlinne.com/p2bmod
Have fun,
Paul
