Underclocking a P233

[slowpoke]

Is it OK to install a Pentium 233 MHz CPU in a motherboard that can handle only up to 200 MHZ max, if I set the mobo jumpers to support 200 MHz CPU ? Bus speed = 66 MHz in both cases.

Reason: My present mobo can go up to 200 MHZ only, and I now use a 166 MHz CPU. My friend wants to seel me his old Pentium 233 MHz for real cheap, and I am tempted to replace the old P166 with the P233 providing I can use the P233 as a P200 in my mobo.

Any side effects to watch out for, like overheating? Thanks for any info.

[BC_1]

I've yet to find a board that supports a P200MMX that doesn't support a P233. More than likely the manual for the board was printed before the P233 was available. Yes, you can underclock the processor, but before doing so, go to the manufacturer's website and make sure you have the latest BIOS. Once you do that, try running it at a full 233mhz. If you do not have a setting for x3.5 clock-multiplier on the MB, use x1.5. The chip will recognize this setting as x3.5 will run at 233mhz.

[pray59]

You won't have a problem running at 200 if that is all your board can do. Intel used the same wafers for 166mmx, 200mmx, and 233mmx and just told people to use 2.5, 3, and 3.5 multipliers. (I heard that Intel started multiplier locking the pentium mmx last summer but have not verified this)

If you find that your board has jumpers for 75MHz FSB and only 3.0 multiplier USE IT. Your CPU will run at 225 but overall performance will be faster than 233 due to the memory and cache running faster.

[kwai]

yeah, i running my k6 at 225 was faster than the default 233. does the pentium 233 use the same core voltage as the 200? or was it just the k6 that was different?

as for side effects, if anything it should run cooler at 200mhz. underheating?

really though, why don't you try overclocking your 166 to 200? even if you can't, i don't know if you'd see much difference between 166 and 200. i wouldn't pay any more than $20 for it -- or less.