Michael said:
The following auction:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Pentium-4-P4-2-...ryZ14293QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
has the 256 K caches. It is a 423 pin CPU and I think the newer ones
used a 478 pin CPU and included 512 K of cache. Of course there are
more of the newer CPUs available and they are much cheaper.
The manual says it is a socket 423 motherboard.
http://download.intel.com/support/motherboards/desktop/d850gb/A2608002.pdf
Supported processor list is here.
http://developer.intel.com/support/motherboards/desktop/d850gb/sb/cs-013248.htm
Pentium 4 processors are listed here. If you set the package type to "423 pins"
and "Filter on Selection", only the S423 processors will be listed.
http://processorfinder.intel.com/List.aspx?ProcFam=483
This is the top of the line (2GHz) processor from that reduced list of products.
It runs at 1.75V and has a 256KB cache. It is based on 0.18u technology (Willamette ?).
The L2 cache works over the whole 4GB space.
http://processorfinder.intel.com/details.aspx?sSpec=SL5TQ
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pentium_4#Willamette
There are adapters that can plug into the S423 socket and allow
the use of S478 processors. Doing so, means the mechanical details of
fitting a CPU cooler will be adversely affected. But the Intel BIOS would
need microcode support and recognition code, for such a different set of
processors. (There are ways to check the microcode, by taking the BIOS
modules apart. I'm not sure whether the available tools work with Intel
BIOS or not.)
As long as the Vcore regulator has sufficient current, and delivers
1.5V for a S478 processor, there is the potential to use such solutions.
http://www.powerleap.com/PL-P4N.jsp
http://www.powerleap.com/SystemSearch.html (Compatibility checker)
The compatibility checker returns this. Presumably the P18 BIOS has whatever
microcode support Powerleap feels is necessary.
"Note: Must use Intel P18 bios."
http://downloadcenter.intel.com/Detail_Desc.aspx?agr=N&ProductID=486&DwnldID=4559
By searching, using both D850GB and PL-P4N as search terms, you can get
some idea how well it worked. The individual here, may not have installed
the P18 BIOS. But there have been issues before, where the BIOS level
Powerleap specify, is not enough, on some of their other products. Compatibility
feedback in some cases, came from end users back to Powerleap. And that is
how they figured out whether some product combinations worked (as testing
thousands of test cases would be out of the question, for their upgrade
products). They used to have a database with the reports from customers listed.
http://www.resellerratings.com/forum/archive/index.php/t-61736.html
"I bought a PL/P4N adapter that allows you to use any 400 FSB pentium 4,
478 pin processor on an older pentium 4, 423 pin board. I installed it
into my friend's Intel D850GB motherboard with a pentium 4 2.0A computer.
I got nothing but a black screen! I am sending it back and requesting a
new one. Is it a waste of my time or has enyone had luck with the PL/P4N?
The D850GB board is listed on the powerleap site as being compatible!"
HTH,
Paul