Slotket confusion

[slim_lim]

I have a Abit BH6 mobo and an old mid-tower case, and I need a slotket to mount a Cel900 FCPGA CPU on it. I've read that some slotkets are too tall and will not fit cases like mine. This seems probable, since right now I have a Slot 1 Cel300a installed and there's at most 1cm of space between it and the power supply. If the slotket is any taller, it won't fit!
Please help me! Which slotket that I can get is small enough to fit? It can't be much taller than a SEPP Celeron.
I've hear that Asus S-370DL is a low-profile version that will fit any mobo. I've also heard that Giga-byte GA-6R7 pro is a clone of S-370-DL (but is as good?) so it should be low-profile also. Is that true?
Also, do you think the retention mechanism that currently holds my Cel300a will work with the slotket as well?
Thanks to anyone who can help!

[jazztrumpet216]

I've never heard of a problem with an Asus slotket. I don't know enough about Gigabyte to tell ya much about them, but same goes, never heard of a problem. Slotkets work with JUST ABOUT any motherboard made for slot 1 processors. Your retention clip should be fine, I believe Asus slotkets use the retention clips themselves. Generally slotkets are roughly the same size as slot one processors since they have to fit in the same area a slot 1 processor does, including height.

[pappypete]

I just compared cele 300A to a soltec sloket. Sloket is about 5/8"
taller than cele. Hope this helps.

[jazztrumpet216]

Ok... I found my old Asus S370-L (not the DL, the L), and it is exactly 2 3/4" high (6 9/10 CM). Unfortunately, I don't have a 300A around here to measure it against....

[pappypete]

The cele 300A is 2 1/4" tall.

[slim_lim]

Thanks guys. Could any of you other readers who use slotkets please post their dimensions too, so I can pick the smallest. Asus sounds like it might fit but just barely. What about MSI?
P.S. Just got my Cel900 from newegg.com. My, that Intel HS is sure a big one - almsot 2 3/4 in. across. One more thing to worry about fitting in.
Oh, and one more thing. How do you read the CPU temperature? Do you need any special device installed?

[Yodums]

OK I was in the same situation.

Although the DL can be found at stsi.com and search slotket.

I also have an old mid tower and it wasn't great and the heatsink may hit or not hit. Although if you don't bring your comp around you can bring your psu and take the case off and mount it on the top of the case so it's like a mid-tower imitation.

[pappypete]

I have BH6 W/900 cel.......use enermax temp probe

About $13 at CrazyPC

[slim_lim]

Good advice about the HS, tsunami, though I pray it won't come to that. If it doesn't fit just barely, I think I may have another solution: my mobo is mounted on a metal plate (for the lack of a better word) that screws to the right side of the case. I could use washers and longer screws to mount it a little farther away from the PS. No sure the the right cover will close after that, but we'll see. *EDIT* Nah, never mind, I looked at it and doing this would misalign the ports.
Meanwhile I need to find a slotket that sits as low as possible!

[Yodums]

Originally posted by slim_lim
Good advice about the HS, tsunami, though I pray it won't come to that. If it doesn't fit just barely, I think I may have another solution: my mobo is mounted on a metal plate (for the lack of a better word) that screws to the right side of the case. I could use washers and longer screws to mount it a little farther away from the PS. No sure the the right cover will close after that, but we'll see. *EDIT* Nah, never mind, I looked at it and doing this would misalign the ports.
Meanwhile I need to find a slotket that sits as low as possible!

Trust me the PSU is very easy you just take the case off unscrew the psu from the case and run the wires to the "roof" of the case..

[slim_lim]

So I do need an extra probe to see CPU temp on BH6? :( I downloaded Motherboard Monitor and it detects 2 sensors: I assumed one was for Case temp and the other for CPU. However something is up with the CPU sensor -- it always shows the same temp (56C) no matter how much I stress the CPU or increase the voltage. Guess it's not working, but why does the program detect it then?
Think I could get a probe at a local electronics store like fry's? Don't feel like paying the shipping on such a small item. How do you install one anyway?

[muddocktor]

The BH6 doesn't have a temp probe for the cpu, nor does it monitor the cpu diode either. All it has is a board mounted thermistor to measure the case temps. You will have to get a slf-contained monitor with a probe if you want to watch the cpu temp.

[deez]

you could always just get a new case...you can find a nice roomy generic case with 300W PSU for about $50 or you can get a nice Antec case for $100

[slim_lim]

Come on, peeps, post the dimensions of your different slotkets. It's really IMPORTANT! :burn: Please!?!

[pappypete]

your cele FC is soket 370, the socket it fits into is as tall as the
300A. You add another 1/2" for the slot one contacts, =2 3/4"
I have Soyo and Soltek, both measure about 2 7/8 tall.

[slim_lim]

Thanks pappypete! That sounds like it would fit - barely. The top of the slotket would be in full contact with the PS and pressing down on each other. Guess that Intel HS would not fit - it extends 1cm up and down from where it would sit on top of a 370 socket. Unless there's already 1cm of PCB between the 370 socket on the slotket and the slotket top within the same measurements. Oh well, replacing a heatsink is easier than replacing the case. Any suggestions for a nice small (50x50mm base or so, so that it doesn't extent upwads from the slotket) HSF, in case Intel won't fit? I'd like it to be quiet too.
Anyone with an MSI slotket? I've been combing newsgroups and read those were even shorter - 5mm taller than PII/Celeron Slot 1 cartridge. Can you please confirm?
Man, something tells me this upgrade is going to be a pain :( . Wish I could try out different slotkets to find out one that fits, but they're a b1tch to find locally and mail-order return policies suck. And I'm not rich enough to keep buying new ones until one fits.

[pappypete]

Slim---I have posted all i can on slokets. For HS/F, check
main page. There are HS reviews, also CrazyPc has a lot
of HS/F combo's. I believe they may have dimensions.
Hpoe you get it sorted out.

[slim_lim]

pappy, one more question please... what's the distance between the socket 370 on your slotkets and where the contacts begin (where the top of the slot 1 would be)?

[pappypete]

Slim....if i understand your question, it's 1/8"....LOL!! let me
know how you make out, i feel like i'm getting my hands
dirty.....LOL!

[slim_lim]

Thx again, pappy. hmm 1/8" seems smaller than I thought it would be. Just to check that you understood me correctly: I meant the distance from the bottom of the 370 socket (where the lever is) to the contacts on the slotket (i.e. to the line where the slotket would be above the slot 1 when installed.
Just trying to figure out (since slotkets vary in height) where they get extra height: above or below the socket. There's a green heatsink on my BH6 that looks like it might interfere with a big CPU heatsink on the bottom. (and the damned power supply on the top :mad: )
I guess the best idea for me right now is to go search local computer shops for a cheap generic slotket that I can use to size things up firsthand (and if it works out well I won't complain either ;)) before I commit to a more expensive purchase.
I'll keep you posted, thanx for your help!

[deez]

had a similar problem for slot 1 to PPGA had to use a gigabyte b/c it was smallest

[Snarkey]

Slim_lim, had the same temp probe problem with the asus 370dl. Running a cel566@950. MBM always read the same. I found help on the Overclockers site. I have a p2b-f with the cpu temp pinout. Radio Shack has a diode for $1.80 that I laid under the retention clip right over the core. I know, it was hairy! I ran the leads over to the pinout and the bios picked it up right away. I know that I have to assume some things. I used a infrared shooter to read the point of contact and compared that to the bios. Recorded it. Then ran every monitor software that would pick that sensor up. Recorded that. Then put it all together and took an educated(?????) guess. I came up with an 8 degree compensation. It's the best I can do. And I feel safe with it. They say that the slocket should pick it up but this is what I had to do. Good luck and good holidays.

[Yodums]

Originally posted by Snarkey
Slim_lim, had the same temp probe problem with the asus 370dl. Running a cel566@950. MBM always read the same. I found help on the Overclockers site. I have a p2b-f with the cpu temp pinout. Radio Shack has a diode for $1.80 that I laid under the retention clip right over the core. I know, it was hairy! I ran the leads over to the pinout and the bios picked it up right away. I know that I have to assume some things. I used a infrared shooter to read the point of contact and compared that to the bios. Recorded it. Then ran every monitor software that would pick that sensor up. Recorded that. Then put it all together and took an educated(?????) guess. I came up with an 8 degree compensation. It's the best I can do. And I feel safe with it. They say that the slocket should pick it up but this is what I had to do. Good luck and good holidays.

Can I ask how you set your bios..

Ie the user define..

Being Exact with everything the core the mem settings and the user define settings. I'm having some trouble upping the freaking core.

[Snarkey]

Been gone for awhile. Wife had some surgery and I did the husband thing. Core-1.8v, Fsb-112,temps.-35/26 idle//38/31 load. Level1cache-enabled, level2-enabled, level2 Ecc check-disabled, sdram config-by spd, cas-3t, ras to cas delay-3t, ras precharge time-3t, dram idle time-10t. Snoop-enabled, host bus fast data ready-disabled,pci latency timer-31 pci clock. This 31 is from the bios, sandra reports 37 which sounds right. I don't know enough yet to know why. Agp is 75. I have 2 256 sticks of unknown ram. I'll have to find out what it is. I've never really messed with any of the cas settings. Been tempted.

[Snarkey]

One more thing. cel566 is C0, revision/step is 8/6. Chip week and such is in the cpu data base.

[jazztrumpet216]

For me, my BIOS reads my temps anywhere between 5-10C higher than they actually are. Both MotherboardMonitor and Sandra read my temps much better than the BIOS does, I usually go by what they say.

[slim_lim]

[UPDATE]
Hi again, guys! It's been awhile (I was on vacation :cool: ) but I finally managed to carry thru with my upgrade! Anyway, I got myself an MSI Master Slotket v.2.3 for $20, because I think it was a great deal and it was the smallest I could find.
I managed to fit everything in... but only barely. The CPU heatsink touches the power supply but doesnt interfere with it. Another 2mm or so and it wouldn't have fit! :eek: On a side note, the metal clip on the Intel HS is EVIL! I spent 20 minutes trying to force it onto the tabs on the slotket and nearly broke them off.
Anyway, I'm running my Cel900 on BH6 1.01 @ 1116mhz 1.85v right now. :D It seems stable but I haven't had time to thoroughly test it yet. Using Intel cooling and so far it doesn't seem half bad.
I want to try to hit 1200mhz now. I can get it to post at 1.90v. At 1.95v. (the highest the mobo will let me) and with cheapo generic SDRAM 100 removed -- only 256mb of Crucial 133 CAS 2 left in -- I can get to the Windows desktop but there it crashes.
So what do you think might be the problem here. Do I need more voltage? I could get another 0.05v. by forcing it thru the slotket but that's the highest setting it has. Is there another way I could get some more voltage? If yes, how high (voltage) would be reasonable to try to minimize my chances of frying the chip?
Anyway, right now I'm pretty happy that I was able to get where I am without having to mod the case or buying more stuff. Glad my HDDs didn't get wiped because I'm forcing the PCI bus so high (no 1/4 divider on BH6 1.01 :( ).

[Yodums]

Well I think its the cooling.

How are the temperatures?

Because with the Intel cooler it'll crap out where you are now so your lucky.

Don't raise the voltage anymore with better cooling though.

Although cooling for slotkets are hard since heatsinks bases are big so they come in contact with everything like the chipset or the PSU itself.

Try looking for an Alpha PEPT66.

Great overclock BTW keep trying for more if you can.

[slim_lim]

Hmm.. I guess I was too hasty to declare it stable @ 1.85v. 1116mhz. Windows works ok but 3dmark2000 craps out after awhile, typically on the CPU speed test. Going up to 1.95v seems to fix that but I havent tested long enough (before it used to crash in a matter of minutes). Been running prime95 for many hours w/o errors thogh.
I got another problem at this speed though: my USB gets screwy and I get .vxd errors trying to access my digital camera thru USB. I guess it's the 124mhz fsb :(. 112mhz is the highest I can get USB to work properly with.
In regards to getting the chip to clock higher, so far it seems that heat is not the problem but the voltage is. I can consistently eliminate the CPU instability at higher than spec clock rates by raising the voltage. 1008mhz is slightly unstable @ 1.75v but rock solid @ 1.80v. 1116mhz will run @ 1.80v. but will crash in 3dmark2000 (more frequently @ lower voltage) until I reach 1.95v. I can't get 1200mhz to post except by raising the voltage to 1.95v but it doesnt get far. Haven't tried anything higher yet.
So far the Intel cooler (one of those huge new ones) appears to be doing a good job dissipating the heat. I don't have a CPU temp sensor, but I have an ambient case temp sensor. @ 1.80v 1008mhz at full load the temp gradually reaches 34C (ok, thats not that great but my case is cramped and the airflow is bad) and the CPU is 100% stable. Running 3dmark2000 can get it up to 35C -- guess my no-fan gfx chip adds to the case temp. With my old 300a@450mhz it was about 36C. 1116mhz @ 1.95v. reaches 37C @ full load - not that huge a difference IMO -- and is stable except the USB, which I don't think is a CPU problem.
Anyway, now I want to try to raise the voltage higher still and see if I can get it stable @ 1200mhz. But CMOS only lets me set 1.95v. max and the slotket is 2.00v max. BTW, does setting the voltage on the slotket force that exact voltage or does it force detection of that volatage by the mobo and you can still change it thru CMOS? It'd be good if I could jumper the slotket @ 2.00v (btw, MSI slotket instruction says to set some jumpers to "NC" to change voltage. does it mean "remove jumper" or "leave it at default"?) and have the BIOS recognize it as the baseline and increase from there? I've also heard that you can trick the AWARD BIOS on BH6 to allow higher voltages somehow by reflashing it - anyone know how to?
Another thing I guess I'll try is some burning in. Honestly I don't have that much faith in it, but I'll try. Appreciate any other tips anyone can give.

[LutaWicasa]

Yeah, the re-flash trick is simple. In bios set your voltage to it's max. Boot using your flash floppy. Now flash your bios using /sn/cc switches. After flash completes exit with F10 and use the re-set to re-boot. Go into bios and set everything up. Your voltage options should now be around 2.1 max :D

[Yodums]

LutaWiscasa too bad I didn't have a chance to try it :D

Just don't crazy and make sure your cooling is over average to change the voltage 2v+ since its basically a gamble.

Yodums
(-:

[slim_lim]

Arrgh! Can't hit 1200mhz to load past Windows desktop (sometimes dies just showing the background and no icons, sometimes with Msgsrv32.exe crash error) even @ 2.20v. Sometimes it corrupts the registry too and I have to restore the backup. Can't use 1116mhz/124fsb either because of the damned USB problems :( . Anyone else had USB crap out on you @ high fsb? So I guess I'm stuck @ 1008mhz/112fsb which isn't all that great... Although I can't complain much - at $77 total it's sill a kickass upgrade from the C300@450.

[Snarkey]

From what I've seen on the forums and posts there seems to be a curve from stat to final overclock. I started at 566 and ended up at 950. Stable. 112 fsb. I hit around 975 with 115 but it wouldn't hold. That's around 35-40% increase. (I know, ballpark.) As the start up speed increases the % of final speed lowers. Start at 700 and many people crap out at around 1000. Lower %. I think it's just that when you push the envelope (which the higher startup's are doing) to start with, there's less room for error. Like at 800 the usb may be hanging on tight to start with. You've got usb, agp, pci, voltage, temps, os's, additional software, they all have to come together at the right time to be stable and at the top end a burp in the operating system or usb can crash the whole thing. At a lower startup, there is room to pop it up right from the start. The curve seems to be geometric. I 'm staying at 950 which handles anything I've thrown at it. I opened everything major I have, minimized them and then ran sandra. Stable for as long as I ran it (6 hours.) That's where I stay. I think for $77.....great! My chip was $44 and I'm happy as a lark.

[pappypete]

slim_lim.....I believe you have answered your question in a
previous post. (1/4 divider)

[slim_lim]

It's just too wierd. I always thought USB was independent from PCI and always ran @48mhz no matter the fsb and divider. So why does it crash?
Anyone know how to disable USB in hardware on BH6? I want to try overclocking w/o it.
Maybe it's a software problem (Win98 1st ed. - known to have screwy USB support)? After all, several people reported success with higher fsb speeds with Celly900 and older BH6s.

[jazztrumpet216]

Yea, the USB support for Win 98 V1 is awful. The USB frequency is ALWAYS constant at 48Mhz--- you are correct. I'd disable it and try for higher. If it works, blame it on Winblows. That usually works for me. :D