On Tue, 17 Apr 2001 00:38:11 -0500, you wrote:

>Date:    Sun, 15 Apr 2001 23:07:50 -0400
>From:    Gary Cassidy <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: 
>
>Two years ago, I purchased a Celeron 366 A system. I did some research at
>that time to ensure that I had it built with components that could be
>upgraded. Specifically, I wanted to know I could throw in a new Processor
>when the time came.

This is a good strategy. Its going to pay off for you now.

> It has....
>
>I also knew that I would have to do some research when I purchased the new
>Processor and that's starting here with the fine group at PCBuild.
>
>I asked at the time that a Motherboard with the capacity to handle up to a
>PIII be installed. The Motherboard is a 440 BX by ASUS.

This was a good choice. Very solid boards in that family and  by no
means obsolete.

You will need to know the EXACT MODEL and also the BOARD REVISION
NUMBER.  This latter will be steniclled on the motherboardboard
probably between two of the the PCI slots. Occasionally there are
stickers suplimenting that info.

The manual will tell some of this but it is superceded by whatever the
board production revision actually is. The board almost certainly has
capabilities not described in the manual. Compatibilities and
limitations with things that did not exist at the time of manufacture.

Its probable you have some specific  kind of P2B or barely possible
P3B

>I have my eye on an Intel Celeron 700 PGA 128K/66 (I'm a cheapskate
>and  have no need for Top Of The Line).

"Top of the line" Celeron 800 is still inexpensive. For that matter
*IF* it can take a slot one PIII 850 or PIII 1GHz 100MHZ FSB you end
up with a proven ultra stable  pretty close to state of the art system
good for several more years,

You should probably put in the maximum CPU it can take without exotic
overclocking techniques. 

Bear in mind that the cheapest best bang for the buck new fast CPUS
often REQUIRE a NEW motherboard and new type RAM so there is a good
chance you will have to buy a "slower" FSB but somewhat more expensive
part but that will work.

There are an abundance of Asus boards and variants  based on 440BX and
quite a few different Intel parts of thesame MHz  some of which will
not work. 

Quite a few lesser known brand BX440 boards use the same techniques as
the Asus boards but the documentation is lacking.  So its often
helpful to compare the Asus documentation to those too anyway.

There is a LOT of info on the www.asus.com   www.asus.com.tw and
www.asus.com.ge websites.  The German site often has a few additional
goodies and is usually better organized and technically fastidious.
You can usually translate it with altavista.babelfish.

There is also an excellent invaluable  usenet newsgroup for Asus
boards.   alt.comp.periphs.mainboard.asus
 Its UNmoderated so don't believe EVERTHING you read there.

>Does anyone see any conflict with the Motherboard I have? 

Possibly yes. Your choices fall into two categories. 

Slot One Pentium IIIs or Celerons

Socket 370 Celeron's or Pentium III in a proper "slotket" adapter

Big question is if the board easily takes a "coppermine" core CPU

There is lots known about these boards.  More than on the Asus sites
even.

What is the Maximum CPU for you?? Could be as low as 533MHz or as high
as 1GHz. You will have to identify the exact mainboard and its
revision number. 

You will almost certainly have to flash the BIOS. Almost all Asus BIOS
updates for boards now out of production are called "beta" because
only if they were ever shipped from the factory that way will the
factory test team certify it as "official". After the boards are gone
manufacturing does not have them around to test. Only the BIOS
revision team hads a  few.  Don't mind that "beta" designation. Asus
often develops important  updates BIOS for "old" boards and they work
fine.

You should also determine what and how much RAM you now have EDO or
SDRAM and if it is PC66 or PC100 etc. There is a fair chance you might
want to replace your RAM. In general if you can you want a solution
using 100MHz Front Side Bus. And consider your effort! Buy the best
CPU it will take. The cost of your original CPU and the new one
(nearly at end of  production) will total much less than the fastest
CPU you could have originally built with. AND it will be faster!

There is a lot to be said for keeping your BX mainboard in service! 

>I am not
>knowledgeable enough to know what specs you might need of the Motherboard
>but can find whatever you need in the manual.
>
>My second question is more of a simple "How do I do It" matter. Once
>I  purchase the new Processor, what exactly does one do to install it? Is
>it a simple clip such as with RAM?

Depends what you need to get. So lets find out what exactly you have
first.

You better read up CAREFULLY on flashing BIOS. Read the book and the
Asus site about this. You will have to plan your moves smooth and know
what to expect so you don't panic and end up with a dead board for
some weeks until you can get Asus to burn you another for $30 or so.
The procedure is about as complex as walking across a street. :)

You also might well want to visit the Intel website and get the list
of CPUs and their part numbers. There are more varieties than you
think!

Mark Paulson

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