PC100 SDRAM with only an LX Chipset

[zyquip]

I'm upgrading my computer with a socket-370 Celeron and a mobo which has an Intel 440LX chipset on it which supports ECC memory. Currently, I cannot obtain a mobo with BX type (bus speed 100 MHz) chipset which is small enough to fit inside my baby AT case. I also require ECC type memory for this upgrade, and it's quite expensive.

If I'm going to spend bucks on 256K of ECC SDRAM, then I'd like to invest in PC100 type -- this way I can retain it for the next upgrade when a CPU and BX-based mobo of baby AT size both become available.

I've read conflicting things about PC100 SDRAM compatibility with LX chipset mobos. On the one hand, I read that PC100 is 'backwards compatible' (Can be used with 66 MHz bus ?). On the other hand, I've read about various mobo requirements for PC100 (see http://www.corsairmicro.com/PC100.htm) However, it's not clear whether these requirements are necessary for 100 MHz bus speed or for ALL bus speeds.

Question : Can PC100 memory function reliably on a mobo with an Intel 440LX chipset at bus speed of only 66 MHz ?

[ANTONIO E GUERRA]

I used in an LX motherboard without any problems.

[DavidX]

I just installed a PC100 ECC SDRAM DIMM on a TX motherboard (vintage 1997) - no problems. Of course, it only runs at 66MHz at the moment but should come in handy when I upgrade.
(Unfortunately, by that time the average FSB will probably be at least 133MHz http://www.sysopt.com/forum/frown.gif )

[Tony M]

PC100 ram is just very good quality SDRAM. It is myth that it will not work on the LX board. Some board do have problems with certain brands or ram but they are rare. Now, many boards do have problem with single DIMMs greater then 128MEGs. That you will need to watch out for.
Why do you need ECC? Just cause your board supports it does not neccessarily means you need it.
Tony

[Stan]

Zyquip,

Have you checked these boards ?
- Asus P2B-B (www.asus.com)
- Gigabyte GA6BA (www.giga-byte.com)
Both boards have BY chipset an are Baby AT.

BTW, PC100 WILL run on 66MHz bus speed... no doubt about that, but I would really go for BX chipset.
A new case is no so expensive...

Stan