Processor Question

The processor packaging markings are (733/256/133/1.65v S1) but the Belarc spec comes up with 367Mhz Intel P3. So what speed is it? 367 or 733? I don't understand this stuff. Any help appreciated. Thinking of upgrading to a 933 Mhz but not sure this will now be adequate if I already had 733.

Baring all naivety in the hope of help

 

Hmmm, do you have your FSB settings correctnly?

What does your BIOS read?

367x2 is ~734mhz.

So if you have a 133FSB, and its running at half speed....you get the idea.

 

try CPU-Z. Also right click my computer>properties>general tab it should say there

 

Thanks for the quick responses guys

Pyrate- great link...thanks...will check when I get home

Ad - funny you should say that. I said to my husband last night I found it a rather large coincidence that 367 was half of 733. FSB on the MB spec comes up 142 Mhz. I wouldn't know how to check if it is set correctly...any simple clues?

Also, how do I read the BIOS other than from the MB spec I just quoted? Is there where I go F8 at boot up and get into all that yummy blue screen settings stuff?

Idiots guide would be appreciated if you are able to make it basic enough

I really appreciate your input, as always, guys Processors and MB's are a totally unexplored field for me to date, but I fancied learning something new so decided to try myself on the old PC I have

 

Well, for instance, my POST screen shows the CPU speed.

Hit the Pause/Break key on your keyboard if/when that comes up to be able to stop and read it.

 

Ah ok...you might recall my old PC had a cyclical boot up problem...sadly I've seen that screen enough to know it's 733 without even being near it

So if it is running at half, how would (or should I even) set it to run at max capacity? Will this cause heating issues? Am I totally barking?

(reply not required to last question!)

Apologies if I am not following correctly - trying hard to

 

Lev,

Bark louder! The F8 key just gets you into safe mode. Depending on the MB manufacturer and BIOS, the Delete, Escape, F1, or F2 keys could get you into Bios setup. The correct key to use is generally noted on the splash screen, and it will say press ** to go into setup. Setting the processor to run at the correct speed shouldn't cause any overheating issues. Hope this helps!

 

f10 for compaq's, all this is correct the first post holds the key, 733 is the clock speed of the chip 733mhz (or close enough. hopefully the bios is adjustable and not a dell, or compaq (certain ones) Another possibility once you have exhauseted all other ideas is to flash the bios. But if done incorrectly will create a large beige paper weight. If the chip is the original one for the system and not an upgrade then it is just a matter of going into bios and flipping the Front side bus to pedal faster.

 

If the POST says it's running at 733MHz, I'd say belarc is just reading the speed wrong.

 

@ Novice - this particular computer hasn't allowed me into safe mode for a long time. The arrow keys won't let me utilizethe options given...infact pressing any key has no effect...I've tried them all!

@thesunscreen...BIOS is Award Software International 6.00 PG 01/04/2001. the PC was custom built (2201) so hard to say what is "original". All parts are as-built except the HD. It's the first chip it had, put it that way. Still getting jiggy with Sandra trying to find out the MB manufacturer Right now a paperweight sounds appealing

 

I would have, if I hadn't had a similar "error" before with Belarc. The guy happened to live just down the road from me who was the UK rep, so I spent a while chatting with him. I don't think it's Belarc, as a result of history

 

If its a P3 it whould be 133 x 5.5 = 733.....im assuming its running at 66 x 5.5 = ~367.....are thare any thing in the bios or jumpers on the motherboard for FSB settings ?? if so set it to 133......

 

I would agree with Pyrate. If the POST says 733, that's probably what it's running at.

Have you tried CPU-Z yet? Or right clicking My Computer->Properties?

 

@ACE - why 5.5? (trying to understand this).

Please explain jumpers...major learning curve in progress Thanks.


@Wyatt - I'm still at work so haven't been able to run that yet, as the computer is at home. First thing I shall do when I get in though

Just want to thank you all again....this is really making me think

 

5.5 is the multiplier you take it and multiply but the FSB ( front side bus ) the result is your core CPU speed.... so if your FSB is set at 66 your core will be runing ~ 357.... now if your FSB was running 133 like it should be ( again assuming you have a P3 733 ) your core whould be ~ 733 like it should be ( 133 x 5.5 = 733 .... can you post your exact motherboard make and model ??

 

Yes...was just surfing for it AAMOF.

http://www2.abit.com.tw/page/uk/mot...NAME=BE6-II+V2.0&fMTYPE=Slot 1&pPRODINFO=BIOS

 

According to the MB manual, to be 367Mhz it would have to be a P2. It's definately a P3 (and therefore greater than 450 Mhz), so I think I will reassemble the processor when I get home and try making some adjustments via the BIOS. Let some smoke out the box

 

Looks like the max you can run is a 100FSB.....( 100 x 5.5 = 550Mhz ) .......I know the 440BX chipset supports 133 FSB thow.....im digging ill post back when im done DLing the manual ( 1.8 Mb and dial up )...........

 

Thanks Ace...spotted the 100FSB limit too.....truly appreciate your effort and time on this

 

Ok it does support a 133 FSB ......you can set it here on the motherboard dip switches ( you might be able to sett it in the bios as well )........

 

OK..will give that a try too ACE

I am home now so let me update you on what I've found out.

POST comes up 366 Mhz (I stand corrected, but glad to see Belarc is accurate)

BUT.....

Pyrate suggested click My Computer>properties>general tab..that came up 367 Mhz also.

In the BIOS it was set to 266 (66) with a multipier of 4, so in SoftMenu I set it to 366 (66) with a multiplier of 5.5

I ran the CPU-Z which came up with....

Intel P3E Coppermine Slot 1 SECC2 (already knew that part)
Specification: Intel P3E 550Mhz
Clocks: Core speed: 367.5 Mhz
Multiplier x5.5
FSB 66.8 Mhz
Bus Speed 66.8 Mhz

So...despite it saying on the Processor 733, am I to assume it is actually 366? Or is that what it has just been set to run at and I can still step it up to 733 through the Bios?

 

The socket 370 P3s are hard locked so thars no way to change the X from what thay are stock.... so no matter what you change the X to in the bios or on the board it will always be 5.5 so dont worry about that... all you need to do is set teh FSB to 133Mhz ( might be called bus frequancy, bus speed , or somthign liek that ) if you set teh FSB to 133 you will be running 733.... and hardware programs are a bit inaccuret when it comes to telling what speed a CPU is running at exactly ( the spec thing in system propertys is normaly a good bit off ( ~ 10MHz at times ).........

 

Well I read your last post after I played about in the BIOS. I had a choice incidentally. I couold either go 550 (100) at x5.5 or 533 (133) at x4. I went for the latter. Reboot showed a 733 Mhx at POST

I was clapping all excitedly.....dog thinks I've gone crazy! If you knew the learning curve I just went through you'd be clapping too If you'd been here I'd have hugged ya! Thanks ACE.

One other question. My BIOS ID is out of date. I already have the upgrade d/l'd but wanted to know if I have to flash the Bios after upgrading, or if I can avoid that part. I realise this whole process is a techie job...would you advise me against it? I have the crib sheet

 

I advise aginst flashing your bios inless you need to ( in order to recognize a larger hard driver for example ) and like i said earler you cant change the maltiplyer on P3s ( you could set the x at 3 and it still will run at 5.5 )... you should notace a nice speed boost too you have just doubled your ram speed in the prosses ( 66Mhz to 133Mhz ) ....

 

I missed that .... you most likely will not half to upgrade your bios if / when you upgrade your CPU....ya put the new CPU in and it should go fine you prolly wont half to do a thing ....

 

nm...just seen you made 2 posts and answered my question anyway

ACE...you're ace! Hehe. Thanks buddy

 

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