<!–#set var="article_header" value="Processor and Chipset Tables:
How to Configure a CPU Correctly” –>
Introduction
For all of you do-it-yourself experts and tuning fans who want to build or upgrade your own PC system we introduce these tables as quick reference. They provide an overview of all relevant processor and chipset features. The most important things to watch out for when installing a new processor or exchanging the CPU are the core voltage and the multipliers. Apart from this, you’ll find important information about the size of the L2 cache, its ratio to the actual processor clock speed and additional items such as the system bus, architecture and micron manufacturing process here. An extensive chipset overview follows the processor overview. This tells you which CPU is supported by which chipset and gives you the most essential details. Every abbreviation is explained for each table and some are explained using figures.
Slot 1 – SEPP/SECC/SECC2 – Celeron, Pentium II, Pentium III
CPU Tags | |
A | Regarding Celeron 300A: Mendocino core instead of the older Convington core |
B | Those Pentium-III processors operate at 133MHz Front Side Bus |
E | stands for 0.18 micron process and full speed cache |
MMX | Instruction set extension for Celeron, Pentium II and III which can be used for multimedia applications, but rarely applied. |
SSE | Streaming SIMD Extension |
Package | |
SEPP | Single Edge Processor Package |
SECC | Single Edge Contact Cartridge |
SECC2 | Single Edge Contact Cartridge 2 |
Connectors | |
Slot 1 (SC242) | Connector for Pentium II/IIIs as well as old Celeron processors with 242 pins |
Note | Slot 1 and Slot A (Athlon) are mechanically identical (SC242). However, signals and protocols are different. |
Architecture/Cache | |
Mendocino/Coppermine | L2 cache is incorporated on die und runs at full speed. On all other Slot-1 CPUs the L2 cache runs at half speed. |
Slot A – Card Module – Athlon
CPU Tags | |
A | stands for the new 0.18 micron manufacturing process on Athlon processors |
C | stands for the new 0.25 micron manufacturing process on Athlon processors |
MMX | Instruction set extension for Athlons which can be used for multimedia applications, but rarely applied. |
3DNow! | Instruction set extension for Athlons which can be used for 3D applications, often applied. |
Package | |
CM | Card Module, looks very similar to the Intel’s SECC2 package |
Connectors | |
Slot A (SC242) | Connector for Athlon processors with 242 pins |
Note | Slot A and Slot 1 (Intel) are mechanically identical (SC242). However, signals and protocols are different. |
Architecture/Cache | |
Athlons 500 to 700MHz | Cache runs at 1/2 CPU speed |
Athlons 750 to 850MHz | Cache runs at 2/5 CPU speed |
Athlons 900 to 1000MHz (or 1.0GHz) | Cache runs at 1/3 CPU speed |
Socket 370 – PPGA, FC-PGA, Celeron, Cyrix III and Pentium III
CPU Tags | |
A | Regarding Celeron 300A: Mendocino core instead of the older Convington core |
B | Those Pentium-III processors operate at 133MHz Front Side Bus |
E | Stands for 0.18 micron process and full speed cache |
PR | Processor Rating used for Cyrix III. PR estimates the actual CPU speed in the field of 2D applications in comparison to typical ‘MHz’ CPUs. |
Note: | The CPU clock is different from the P Rating! In 3D applications this rating is not valid anymore. |
Package | |
CPGA | Ceramic Pin Grid Array |
FC-PGA | Flip Chip Pin Grid Array |
PPGA | Plastic Pin Grid Array Celeron 300A to 533 comes in PPGA, from Celeron 566 in FC-PGA |
Connectors | |
Socket 370 (or PGA370) | 370-pin socket mechanically suitable for Celeron, Pentium III and Cyrix III |
Note | Older socket-370 motherboards have problems with Pentium IIIs and Celerons. They do not work if they don’t support lower core voltages (1.65 instead of 2.0V). Furthermore, the new pin assignments have to be supported. |
Architecture/Cache | |
Mendocino/Coppermine | L2 cache is incorporated on die und runs at full speed. On all other Slot-1 CPUs the L2 cache runs at half speed. |
Socket 7 – CPGA, PPGA – Pentium, Pentium MMX, K5 and K6 Series
CPU Tags | |
MMX | Instruction set extension for certain Pentium CPUs as well as the K6-2/III series which can be used for multimedia applications, but rarely applied. |
3DNow! | Instruction set extension for K6-2/III series which can be used for 3D applications, often applied. |
AFR | 2.2V core voltage, max 70°C case temperature |
AFQ | 2.2V core voltage, max 60°C case temperature |
AHX | 2.4V core voltage, max 65°C case temperature |
AFX | 2.2V core voltage, max 65°C case temperature |
AGR | 2.3V core voltage, max 70°C case temperature |
Architecture/Cache | |
onboard | The L2 cache for Socket 7 CPUs is placed on the motherboard. It can vary between 512 and 2048KByte depending on the mainboard product itself. |
L3 | The AMD K6-III has got 256KByte on-die (internal) L2 cache. The external cache on Socket 7 boards becomes then so-called L3 cache. |
Cache | Motherboard cache (L2 or L3) runs in-sync with the system bus. Therefore it is not dependent on the CPU clock such as on the Pentium III or Athlon The K6-III cache frequency of 100 MHz refers to the L3 cache. The L2 on a K6-III is on die and runs at full speed. |
Chipsets and Corresponding Processors
* KX133 Chipset: The FSB of current Athlons (K7) should not exceed 100MHz (x2 or Double Data Rate). The clock rate of 133MHz for the memory interface is produced by an addition of FSB and PCI clock.
** beyond ‘official’ specification, AGP divisor is locked at 2/3 of the system bus, i.e. the AGP bus runs at 88.8MHz when the FSB is 133MHz, default would be 66.6MHz Bus System, also referred to as Front Side Bus (FSB)
Memory Interface | |
EDO | Extended DataOut or Hyperpage Mode of Asynchronous DRAM |
FPM | Fast Page Mode (memory without Column Address Setup Time) |
SDR | Single Data Rate |
DDR | Double Data Rate |
SDRAM | Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory |
RDRAM | Direct Rambus Random Access Memory |
PC100 | Clock is max. 100MHz x 1 x 8 Byte equals to max. 0.8 GByte/s data throughput, short latencies |
PC133 | Clock is max. 133MHz x 1 x 8 byte equals to max. 1.1 GByte/s data throughput, short latencies |
PC266 | Clock is max. 133MHz x 2 x 8 byte equals to max. 2.2 GByte/s data throughput, short latencies |
PC600 | Clock is max. 266MHz x 2 x 2 byte equals to max. 1.1 GByte/s data throughput, long latencies |
PC700 | Clock is max. 356MHz x 2 x 2 byte equals to max. 1.4 GByte/s data throughput, long latencies |
PC800 | Clock is max. 400MHz x 2 x 2 byte equals to max. 1.6 GByte/s data throughput, long latencies |
AGP Bandwidth | |
n/a | in this case only PCI slots (132 MByte/s) are supported |
AGP 1X | dedicated graphics card bus with a max. transfer rate of 266MByte/s |
AGP 2X | dedicated graphics card bus with a max. transfer rate of 528MByte/s |
AGP 4X | dedicated graphics card bus with a max. transfer rate of 1GByte/s |
IDE (ATA) Interface | |
UDMA66 | max. HDD transfer rate of 66.6MByte/s using bus mastering (minimizes CPU utilisation) |
UDMA33 | max. HDD transfer rate of 33.3MByte/s using bus mastering (minimizes CPU utilisation) |
PIO4 | max. HDD transfer rate of 16.6MByte/s not using bus mastering (leads to strong CPU utilisation) |
Packages and Pinning: The differences between FC-PGA, PPGA, CPGA, Slot 1, Slot A, Socket 370 and Socket 7 in illustrations.
Chaos has been the order of the day from the moment that Intel offered its new Pentium III (Coppermine) as FC-PGA and SECC2 variations. If you take a look at the latest retailer lists, you’ll see that in some cases the Pentium III in FC-PGA is mistakenly listed as a ‘Slot 1’ device. That’s definitely wrong. So what should one know? Basically, the CPU manufacturers distinguish between the packaging and the pinning. This is what processors look like in reality.
Here again is a view of the back of the socketed CPUs. Although the dimensions of the socket 7 and socket 370 devices is the same, these processors have different numbers of pins. Socket 7 CPUs have 321 pins, whereas socket 370 devices have 370 pins.
Note that socket 370 CPUs (Celeron and Pentium III FC-PGA devices) have different pin-outs and different operating voltages. Socket 370 devices are therefore not the same as socket 370 devices! More recent mainboards support both CPUs. Older mainboards (up to December 1999) however, can only support the ‘old’ Celeron (up to 533MHz) and can’t be used with the Pentium III FC-PGA or Celerons over 566MHz with Coppermine core. The latter require lower voltages from 1.65V or even 1.50V.
The same applies to Slot 1 and Slot A. Both connections are mechanically identical – hence the label ‘SC242’ in parenthesis – however, they are not electrically compatible. AMD’s Athlon (Slot A) has a totally different bus protocol to the Pentium II and III. In addition, the chipsets for both CPUs are different. An Athlon can be physically fitted into to a slot 1 board, but it will never work there…
Core Voltage and the Manufacturing Process for Athlon Processors
You want to buy an Athlon but you don’t know whether the retailer is trying to offload an old Athlon manufactured using 0.25 micron technology? From the outside, the old 0.25 devices (model 1) and the 0.18 devices (model 2) look identical. You also don’t know which voltage is needed for the device and this can vary between 1.6V and 1.8V according to the clocking frequency.
With the help of the following table you can read the labeling on the top of the Athlon processor to find out.
This figure shows the label again enlarged. The top line is the most important one, the so-called Ordering Part Number (OPN). The lower line is the serial number which is not so important for you. The following table explains the individual lettering and numbers used.
Marking of Pentium II and Pentium III Processors
Intel have a different marking system for their CPUs. Have a look at the top of this Pentium II processor first.
As you see, Intel’s system is easier to understand for a layman. Most important for you is the top line of this marking.
This figure says it all: Internal clock speed, size of L2 cache, frequency of the Front Side Bus and the core voltage of a Pentium II processor.
Comparing a Pentium III to a Pentium II, you can recognize that there is no big difference in the marking at all. The top line with the most important pieces of information is still the same, only the additional manufacturing markings differs slightly.