[Fineus]

Hey all, I've a question about the maximum processor speed you can put in a motherboard. Originally I figured that you couldn't put anything about the original rated spec in there. But now with BIOS releases I can almost double the speed of the processor I've got in there.

Whats to stop me from putting a similar CPU of a higher speed in there? All thats changing is the software... would the higher speed matter if the motherboards hardware can already cope with these higher speeds? How does it all work?

Thanks

[Kazashi]

As long as the CPU tech remains the same i.e. same pinouts, voltage specs etc, then it won't be a problem. In normal practice, it would be the BIOS prevemting people from using a faster CPU, until they provide another modified version that opens up new multiplier/FSB settings. If you're extremely skillful and daring, you could possibly do things yourself, but that's another story.

Generally BIOSes are limited in such a way because the products that would need it haven't yet been tested for compatability to ensure it would work for the end user. In some cases, the board and CPU will still work if the multiplier remains locked and/or determined by the CPU itself, such as with Intel CPU's. But if it's freely unlocked, such as an AMD processor with linked bridges, there's nothing there to tell it exactly how fast it is.

Hmmm, I hope I got that all correct. I'll wait for some other people to read over it to confirm....

[Fineus]

Makes sense I think... let me tell my entire story.

Christmas is coming, I've got a 1.4GHz processor that's beginning to not be quite as ninja as I'd like when it comes to things like UT2003, and it's clearly a bottleneck compared to my RAM and graphics card. I have a A Bit KG-7 RAID motherboard and the latest BIOS revision is rated at (and I quote)

"Support AMD Athlon XP CPU, 0.18 micron process Palomino up to 2100+ and 0.13 micron process Thoroughbred up to 2000+."

I want to put a 2.2GHz or more in there, since I've seen the difference between a 1.4 and a 1.8 and a 2.2 and the difference mark between the 1.8 and 2.2 is markedly clear. However the latest BIOS makes no mention of support of a 2.2+ so I don't want to go wasting my money by sticking something in there that won't work.

[Styxx]

Simple: ask the store for a processor test drive.

[Fineus]

Will they do that? Surely if they let me take away an expensive processor to try it out - and one or more components, possibly including their processor, get damaged - we'll all have lost out?

[IceFire]

I'll take that P 1.4 Ghz...my PIII 733 isn't so nija anymore either

Naa...I'll be building a new system methinks.  Has everyone had good experiences with AMD....has everyone had to get additional cooling because of their higher temperatures or is the usual good fans sufficient?

[Stunaep]

Originally posted by IceFire
I'll take that P 1.4 Ghz...my PIII 733 isn't so nija anymore either

Naa...I'll be building a new system methinks.  Has everyone had good experiences with AMD....has everyone had to get additional cooling because of their higher temperatures or is the usual good fans sufficient?

better fan is a must, since AMD does not have the burn protection (forget my termins, might not know the correct ones in english) P4s have. So if you get a coolant failure with P4, it just stops working, so all you have to do is repair the fan. If an AMD processor equipped PC fan fails you, then youll have to replace both the fan and the CPU.

[Fineus]

Assuming you stop it before it catches fire

That said - yeah - at this stage cooling can never be to much... I'd expect to spend up to £40 on a good fan to save my system from instability and frying.

And I have an AMD Athlon 1.4, not a P4 1.4

[Stealth]

certain motherboards only accept certain processor types and speeds

[CP5670]

I was able to get a 1400 Athlon to run at 1450 (that's what it is at right now) but couldn't push it higher without stability problems, although my motherboard and case are loaded with fans.

[Fineus]

Originally posted by Stealth
certain motherboards only accept certain processor types and speeds

Why though? If the architechture on the chip is the same but at a different speed then what makes the motherboard accept one speed but not another? Like I said.. I don't want to pay out up to a hundred more pounds for a faster chip if my motherboard will still only cope with it underclocked at a lower speed...

[Stealth]

Originally posted by Thunder

Why though? If the architechture on the chip is the same but at a different speed then what makes the motherboard accept one speed but not another? Like I said.. I don't want to pay out up to a hundred more pounds for a faster chip if my motherboard will still only cope with it underclocked at a lower speed...

depends on the type of motherboard... remember that a 1998 3dFI orwhatever isn't going to accept a 2.8 GHZ P4, ... technology over time has a lot to do with what motherboards accept what...


check the motherboard manufacturer's motherboard, and see how fast a processor it can get, and then check other websites to see how fast it can be clocked at

[01010]

<---Got an Athlon XP 2100 a GeForce 4 Ti4200 64mb DDR and 512mb Ram the weekend.

I really, really am impressed with the performance though it was a bit hefty price wise but I work so, whatever.

If the board says it can take the processor then it can with the right Bios.

Personally I prefer to upgrade the board with the processor so you can take advantage of newer technologies and such,

[Stealth]

also, if you're serious about clocking, get something like the Asus iPanel... this thing's pretty neat, it can monitor the fan speeds and temperature inside your case (even the processor fan) and if the processor heats up it'll increase the fan speed accordinly, etc.

if it gets too hot, it cuts off all power

i've never had one, i know a friend that has one.  this one only works with the A7M266, but you can buy them for all motherboards:



this is the Asus iPanel

[diamondgeezer]

Do you guys regularly update your BIOS? I mean, every manufacturer I know tells you not to update the BIOS unless you have a problem - thoughts?

[Stealth]

i never update

[Ulundel]

Originally posted by Stealth
i never update

same here

[Fineus]

I wouldn't update but if it means not having to shell out another 100 odd for a new motherboard I'm up to give it a go. But only if it's going to work.

[Stealth]

Originally posted by Thunder
I wouldn't update but if it means not having to shell out another 100 odd for a new motherboard I'm up to give it a go. But only if it's going to work.

i say go for it!  a little research is worth it!

[Fineus]

I know I know, but the latest BIOS release is - like I said - not rated to take the CPU chip I want to put in it. How would the motherboard react? The CPU isn't being overclocked... but I guess that means the motherboard is...