PIII-900

[superdisk]

I am looking to upgrade my PIII-450 and I came across this bundle that would work perfectly for me. I don't want to buy a new motherboard or upgrade anything else at this time so I am stuck with a slot 1, 100Mhz FSB motherboard. Tigerdirect is offering the following bundle: P3-900, fan, and a slot adapter to convert my Slot 1 to a Socket 370. Will this slot converter reduce performance? Has anyone had any experience with any such type of device? It sounds like it is a perfect solution for what I want to do, but I am not very experienced when it comes to processor upgrades. Any input would be greatly appreciated!

Here is the link to the product page: Intel P3-900 MHZ CPU W/Slot Adapter and Fan (http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?sku=CP2-P3-900K)

[DocClock aka MadClocker]

you shouldn't experience any real trouble...slot converters are pretty common these days, and for the most part, reliable...no performance loss that I know of using slot converters...if it sounds like a deal to you, go for it.
I see no problems in what you describe...should make your computer fly

[Shadow ÒÓ]

appears that this is an OEM chip as they would've mentioned the 3 year warranty otherwise. You may wanna check into it.

[DaveB]

Someone who bought the combo said the slotket wasn't very good and neither was the H/S fan. But it was still less than buying the PIII 900 by itself.

Slotkets, in general, are better for overclocking. With a slotket, you can set the core as high as you want. Plus you have more cooling options as you can use any regular socket cooler or a special-purpose on like the Alpha PEP66. I've been running my PIII 700 at 970 MHz+ rock stable using an Iwill slotket since last July. It's been at 994 MHz since October with the core at 1.95V. I could have only gotten the core to 1.8V in the BIOS if I had a slot 1 CPU which would have limited my overclock to 880 MHz.

[superdisk]

How would I be able to tell if I needed a higher quality fan after purchasing this product?

[DaveB]

Monitor the CPU temp. A top notch H/S fan like my Alpha PEP66 keeps the idle temp at 28C (19C with Rain2.0) and the max under load at 34C. Poor H/S fans will idle in the mid to upper 30's and go to the upper 40's under load.

[superdisk]

I think I am very lost now. What are the limitations on my upgrading path? I currently have a P3-450 and a 100Mhz FSB. After reading some old posts some people seem to be concerned with the stepping number. Does the stepping number have to match the stepping number of my current processor? What else do I have to be concerned about before purchasing this processor? I relalize that the FSB has to match and the slotket makes the cpu usable on my motherboard, but is there anything else that I should be comparing?

One more question...this is an OEM chip just like Shadow mentioned. The 900Mhz chip is only available in a OEM version. Should I buy a retail version of the 850 to have the 3 year warranty? How big of a performance reduction would this chip have compared to the 900?

Here is a link to all the info: Processor Info (http://support.intel.com/support/processors/sspec/p3p.htm)

Thanks for all the input everyone has already so generously given!

[batboy]

Don't get hung up on CPU steppings. They are not comparable between different cores. Folks like the cC0 P-III stepping because they give you a small increase in the ability to overclock them. Doesn't sound like you plan to overclock at all with your current platform.

Personally, I'd dump that motherboard and get something decent. For the price of that P-III 900, you could get a motherboard and Celeron 600 combo and easily overclock it to 900 MHz.

You will not notice any real world performance difference between the P-III 850 and 900 chips (except in a few benchmark scores). Folks like the retail processors because they have a 3 year warranty and because they seem to have slightly better odds in overclocking.

[gdog]

Stick with the p3 900, it will only be a little faster than a 850, but it will whizz all over any celeron.

[superdisk]

Thanks for all the input. I think I am going to go for the P3-850. I really want the 900, but I am a little worried when it comes to no warranty. I have never installed a new processor before and if I screw up I have nothing to lean back on. How reliable are these chips? I have never had one go bad out of all the computers I have owned (4), I do not plan on overclocking it, and I have never really heard of a chip dying for no real reason. Do you think it would be safe to get the 900Mhz without a warranty?

[[OC]_SR20DE]

If you are not planning to overclock, then why don't you go with P3 866 or maybe 933 , You'll get better performance with those 133mhz bus chips rather than 100mhz bus. Try it..

[DocClock aka MadClocker]

If you don't plan on overclocking it, then get the 900, with the 30day warantee, if it is D.O.A. then send it back for a replacement...you might need a bios update for your board.
The reason we here frown on OEM cpu's is because computer outlets are pretesting the chips, and the ones thet DON'T overclock, they dump back on the market, but there is nothing really wrong with them..they do what they are supposed to do...if you are worried about getting burned, you can check them out at www.resellerratings.com
You might also need a new motherboard...but there are cheap mainboards out there that will fit your needs, and if you check out www.pricewatch.com you can find deals on mainboard/cpu combo's..and might be a better deal than what you are looking at now.
I hope we haven't confused you too much, and good luck with your disision :-)

[superdisk]

Wow, the ideas just keep coming in. Thanks again for everyone's help. I am still not sure what I want to do. I believe I can't get an 866 or 933 because my motherboard only supports a 100Mhz FSB. Or am I wrong about this? I would definitely go for the 900, but there is no warranty since it is OEM. I realize if it was dead when I got it I could get a replacement, but I like the security of having the 3 year warranty that comes with the retail 850. I doubt the performance difference between the two are that different. How often do these processors break down? Personally, I have never heard of any real problems, but isn't better to be safe than sorry?
I did call the manufacturer of the computer, Gateway (I can hear the boos and jeers right now), and they said that the 850 would work fine with my board. Hopefully they know what they are talking about.

This brings up one more question. Does anyone know if the tower case and motherboard of a Gateway computer have been modified from the standard size. For example, if I did buy a new motherboard, would it most likey fit in my Gateway case? I don't have too much money to spend right now, but if I knew a new motherboard would fit, I would definitely think about it.

[[OC]_SR20DE]

Is it a tall looking tower?.. does it have at least 5 PCI slots on the back of your case? it should be ATX type cpu case because most aftermarket mobos take require ATX type. Make sure you have PSU of 250watts or more. gid luck!

[Treker]

batboy (Mar 19, 2001 07:46 p.m.):
Don't get hung up on CPU steppings. They are not comparable between different cores. Folks like the cC0 P-III stepping because they give you a small increase in the ability to overclock them. Doesn't sound like you plan to overclock at all with your current platform.

Personally, I'd dump that motherboard and get something decent. For the price of that P-III 900, you could get a motherboard and Celeron 600 combo and easily overclock it to 900 MHz.

You will not notice any real world performance difference between the P-III 850 and 900 chips (except in a few benchmark scores). Folks like the retail processors because they have a 3 year warranty and because they seem to have slightly better odds in overclocking.

I've been hearing more and more lately that celerons really just well.. Suck at gamming!

I was going to go with a Vp6 and dual 600 cellys and aim for 900+ overclock, but one has to remember that cellys= no Smp..

Which is a drag in my case, going for a couple P3 700E's and I'm gonna have to recomment the same here.

I'd say go for a Iwill adapter, and a p3 700E with cCo stepping if you can.

I could be wrong, but I could be right...hehe

-Trek

[[OC]_SR20DE]

You are correct, Trekky :)