cartidge style P3

[Gamblor]

My dad has an older P3 system laying around not being used. I actually have one too, but his is complete and can run...mine is in pieces. It has a 600MHz CPU, but it is cartidge style...is that a slot1? How do these work? Could I put a better CPU (like a 1.3GHz socket 370 P3) in the cartidge and run it that way? It is a Dell Dimension Desktop so not a custom rig or anyhting. I just want to see if I can help him get some extra speed and life out of that system. This is just for ****s and giggles really, no one cares about or uses this PC much. If it was slightly more modern I am certian it would get more use.

[batboy]

You are correct, the "cartidge" stype P-III is called slot 1. How does it work? There is a PCB board with the CPU core integrated onto it. The heatsink and plastic housing covers the unit. The CPU module plugs into the slot like a stick of RAM. You can not remove/replace the CPU core from the module since it's all one unit. Howerver, there is an adapter called a slotket that will allow a socket 370 CPU to be used in a slot 1. With an OEM computer, you will probably be limited to Coppermine CPUs up to 1 gig. The 1.3 P-III that you mentioned is a Tualatin. Now there is a special Powerleap adapater for Tualatins, but that mobo might not support 133 FSB. You will need to figure that out before you buy another CPU. Personally, I would just add some RAM and leave the system as is for now.

[Gamblor]

Yeah I'm just entertaining ideas, but I think it is maxed out on RAM...I'm not sure though. It has 3 dimms and they are all being used, I don't know what its max is or whats in it though. Doesn't the 600MHz P3 thats in there now have a 133Mhz FSB? Oh well I think I could find a 1GHz P1 for a better price anyway. Were do you find this adapter slocket?

[Gamblor]

Okay I see now, I didn't mean 1.3GHz I meant 1.13GHz, that is still a tualatin core, but its FCPGA .13 micron, how much of a difference does that make? The 1.2GHz are FCPGA2, and the 1.26 and 1.4 are too much money. Does the tualatin need more power than a coppermine?

[Kuroimaho]

The tua p3 uses 1.475 V socket 370 ones use 1.7V might remember wrong it was years ago.
Really depends on what does your dad do with that rig for surfing or text editing I don't see much point buying a better cpu those system are held back by the sdram as well so a better cpu might not help that much.
Just now checked the used prices, P3 1G Xeons are under 6000￥. So wouldn't cost much to upgrade it.

[batboy]

The 600 P-III will be 100 FSB (6X100=600). It could be the older Katamai core (512k cache) or the Coppermine core (256k cache).

EDIT: I just looked at the Intel s-spec finder (see link) and learned something new. There are a few 133 FSB 600 P-III processors. Download a little program called CPU-Z and see what you really have.

http://processorfinder.intel.com/scripts/list.asp

You should still see if that mobo will support 133 FSB if it's a 100 FSB CPU. Another thing to consider is what speed the RAM is, for example, it might be PC100. Some PC100 RAM will do 133 FSB and some won't.

If your mobo don't support 133 FSB and you really want a Tualatin, then consider the Tualatin Celeron 1.4 (1400C). These are 100 FSB and are good performers. You will still need a Tualatin adapter though.

Here is the Powerleap website (see link below). Looks like they offer kits that include everything you need.

1. SlotWonder Adapter
2. Processor of Choice (1400C, 1200C, 1000C, 1400P3, 1200P3)
3. Fan Adapter Cable
4. 1U Evercool Copper Cooler

Note: Adapter only kits do not include processor, fan, or fan adapter cable.

http://www.powerleap.com/SlotWonder.html

[Gamblor]

Yeah these are just ideas. I want to know if I CAN do it, I may not in the end. Like I said it is just sitting right now and is just an extra computer. I'm actually going to use it to back up my hard drive before I do anything else to it. I have some extra PC100 SDRAM laying around to so I'll slap that in there. It's only got 256Mb. It has 3 dimms and two have 64MB sticks, so I'll change one with a 128MB stick and see what happens.

[Gamblor]

Wait now I'm putting 2 and 2 together. This rig uses PC100 ram, so does that tell me it has a 100MHz FSB?

[batboy]

Probably, but run CPU-Z to find out for sure.

[TheBadBoy]

You can't use anything but a Slot-1 type P3 cartridge in that type of motherboard, I have an old Abit BE6 like that. The maximum speed P3 ever made for that slot1 was 1Ghz with a 100Mhz bus. I got an 850Mhz P3 for it.

[batboy]

What about all of us that put a slotket adapters in a slot 1 mobos? I used a slotket in a Abit BH6 (slot 1 mobo) along with a socket 370 Celeron 566 overclocked to 850 MHz for 1-1/2 years.

[Gamblor]

Okay CPU-Z tells me it does in fact run at 100MHz FSB. Thats fine. If I do upgrade this system to a P3, 1GHz would be fine.

[batboy]

While there are 1000 P-III that are 100 FSB, most are 133 FSB. If you look hard enough, you might find a 1.1 Celeron Coppermine (100 FSB) with 128k cache and .180 micron. This will still require a slotket adapter. Don't confuse this with the 1.1 Celeron Tualatin with 256k cache and 0.13 micron which will require a special Powerleap adapter that supports Tualatin processors.