Looking for ALT. to Intel

[KillerBug]

Ok, here is the deal: I just got a mobo in the mail, it supports CPUs up to 225mhz. I have everything I need for the system, except the CPU. It is MMX compatable, so I need some info:

First, the Cyrex chip info I need: When they say "MMX" on the M II, does that mean full mmx? Are they multiplier locked? Will they run better at lower speeds, like the 300 @ 225? Since it runs faster than actual MHZ, would underclocking it provide benchmarks above 225mhz system setups? How much on-die cache?

Second, the K6-2: Multiplier locked? Runs more stable like 300 @ 225? How much on-die cache?

Anything else: Please tell me of any other small-name companies that sell cheap CPUs that run at 225 or above? I know of the WINCHIP, don't want it. Oh, and what kind of on-die cache does it have?

I do not want an INTEL, unless it is like a 200mhz MMX and costs like $15 or something.

Remember: must be MMX, 225mhz core or higher, multiplier unlocked, socket 7, and preferable with some on-die cache.

[KillerBug]

Ok, if nothing else, please, tell me if the cyrix is multiplier locked.

[Nathan G.]

Sorry no help here... but i was wondering, what is wrong with the Winchip? I have an old 90MHz(max MB will support) system at work and was considering getting a winchip as a good cheap upgrade. 30 or so bucks to make it a 200 MHz sounds good to me. please tell me the drawbacks of doing this. Sorry i cant help with alternate cpu...
Nathan G.

[KillerBug]

First, the winchip is only 32bit, that is why I am looking at the Cyrix, it is higher than 32bit, so the same MHZ=faster. It is also cheap, you say the 200mhz winchip is $30? The Cyrex 300 is $24. Also, I do not know fi the winhip is multiplier locked. If it is, then I am screwed here. Becides, my board supports MMX, so it does not matter if the MMX chip runs on a non-mmx board.

[MR COMPUTER]

You need to be more concerned about voltage! Will your board go down to the 2.8 or 2.9 required for a lot of the Cyrix chips?A Cyrix chip is performance rated,It is not clocked at the rated speed.It is clocked slower than the rated speed.A Winchip will work at a variety of different voltages,a Cyrix,will not.A Winchip will overclock,with a Cyrix,its risky.Also,a high percentage of Cyrixs' run very HOT.! http://www.sysopt.com/forum/wink.gif

[Joel Kleppinger]

First a few clarifications:
1. Only the P2 Deschutes, Celerons, and P3 are multiplier locked. No other CPU is multiplier locked.
2. You should have a 2.8v setting, which should be enough for the M2 PR300 since you will be underclocking it (it's default is 2.9v).
3. You can ignore what has been said about heat problems since you will be underclocking it.
4. You can ignore the fact it doesn't overclock well since you will be underclocking it. (duh) http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

Is anyone noticing a pattern here? http://www.sysopt.com/forum/wink.gif

Your mobo is MMX capable, so it DOES support 2.8v. If your manual says your board supports 2.9v, that's even better.

[This message has been edited by Joel Kleppinger (edited 06-28-99).]

[CMonster]

I guess that multiplier locked truely means that you cannot multiply down or up, but when I think of "multiplier locked" I mean that there is a maximum cap on the available multiplier - for example, try to run a Pentium 233mhz socket 7 CPU at 4x --if you can do this please let me know how because it seems to be topped out at 3.5x. Of course it can be run at a slower speed, so it is not truely multiplier locked.

That said, I have a question for Killerbug - where did you hear that the Cyrix chip is "higher" than 32 bit? What do you mean by that? And if the Winchip is "only" 32bit then how could it possibly be "pentium compatible" and access a 64bit data bus? I think I said it right - that is why with "Pentium Class" computers the memory SIMMs had to be replaced in pairs or DIMMs were required. I'm not trying to put you down, but this is the first I've heard this said about the Winchips and find it curious.

I think you might be better off with a $25 Winchip2 MMX than the Cyrix heater.

Both chips will do an adequate job but the Winchip2 MMX has performance closer to the Pentium. www.idt.com (http://www.idt.com)

[This message has been edited by CMonster (edited 06-28-99).]

[KillerBug]

So only slot 1 is locked? A bunch of people at another site told me my 486 was locked about a year ago, so I sold it. So then they Cyrex heater is the way to go? How warm would one of these things underclocked be? I have a 1.5 ft case for now (I have a big server case, but I need to modify it to hold 3.5 hard drives and I need to paint my 20X black to match the thing.