CPU & M/B combination (what is better)

[Sixpac]

Right now I am running Windows 2000 Pro. I have a BP6 with 2 Celeron 400's @ 533. I have 196 mb of 100mhz ram.

I am thing about upgrading. For price performance should I just get one 800 or 900 mhz cpu (and O/C) and new mobo or should I upgrade my Celeries to a couple of 533's and O/C them. I just do some surfing, basic VBA stuff and play Quake III and UT.

????

[alpha]

Well, you can't upgrade to a couple of CII's - the BP6 won't run CII's in SMP, only in single, and even then, it needs a powerleap neo s370 adapter to change the pinouts. I think you'll probably need a later bios as well, unless you've flashed since you got the board. You can run twin cb0 stepping FC-PGA PIII's in the BP6 with the powerleap adapter, to the best of my knowledge. Good luck,
Alpha http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif

[penguin]

You might be able to wait a month and Powerleap is supposed to be shipping fcpga adapters for the BP6. You could then use Dual pentium III cB0 stepping chips to upgrade a a pretty fast DUal setup. Get a pair of 100Mhz Pentiums and some 133 RAM and overclock that.

[Sixpac]

Uh Penguin, I guess you mean 1000mhz? More then likey. I think I am running the RU bios. I guess I'll have to wait, but I thought they have them out already. Although I did ask around here (Canada) and nobody even has heard of the adapters (go figure).

I just went to powerleaps website and it shows they have the Neo 370 available for $24.95 (usa). So I guess I may have to for a couple of 800's (cB0 core) and 2 Neos's.

Gotta do it and I'll let everyone know what happens.

Good luck to myself I say....

[penguin]

What I mean is that Pentium III come in 2 flavors. Those that use 100MHz FSB and those that use 133MHz FSB. The 100Mhz FSB Pentium III would appear to have more overclocking potenial in that you BP6 has FSB settings in the 100-133 range. You get to pick the internal multiplier whan you buy the chips. i.e. 7X100=700Mhz. By overclocking the FSB to something over 100 you might get 7X124=868 or 7X133=931. You get the drift I'm sure.

As far as powerleap is concerned, the current Neo370 will not work properly in your BP6 motherboard. You will need the Neo370+ which is especially designed for BP6. The release is scheduled for September on the new and improved adapters. I have been thinking about this one also. Sometime this fall I suspect.

The BP6 is a great board for the money. I have a couple of other Dual slot 1 boards and paid a lot more money for them compared to the BP6.

[Sixpac]

Thanks Penguin. Sounds like you know what you are talking about!

I didn't know they were coming out with a S370+. Do you know a link with some info on it?

Also, I would probably go with a 133 multiplier and a CPU supporting it (like 866's with proper 133mhz RAM). My 128mb stick is 133mhz but not my 64mb.

Sounds like I'll wait right now and try it later on!

Yes, the board is quite good. Bar none this is the best board I have ever had. I was hoping the BP6 site would be updated more often but it isn't. Too bad.