New Mobo for Wilamette

Dr. Kramer

Who's Yo' Doctor?
Joined
6 Jan 2004
Messages
42
So I have a P4 1.7 256k/400MHz that is running on a Dell 4300 Stock PC133 board right now. I want to upgrade the mobo and RAM to utilize the 400MHz FSB, but I am unsure of how to determine mobos can use Wilamette P4s. Most say IntelP4 or specify as being able to use Prescott. Any good suggestions? I know Asus and abits are pretty good.

I'm asking here b/c I havne't got lots of time now as I am studying LOTS for Boards....so thanks for any assistance...

DK
 
Go to the Intel website and check their compatibility list. The MB manufacturers have compatibilty lists too. You will have to search for them. They are usually well hidden, especially the older ones.

Look through these reviews. They will list MB that were tested with the Willamette core.

www.tomshardware.com search artiles for willamette
 
Last edited:
Look out for your ram also. P4's of that era went with RAMBUS which is not cheap. Even now it is still pricey. If you want to go cheaper get a board that takes P4 & non RAMBUS memory. If you want the most out of the P4 go RAMBUS.
 
ok you need a i845 series chipset but make sure you get the one that supports DDR since your looking to use a old P4.

here is a link to retired Intel boards http://www.intel.com/design/motherbd/retired.htm though at this point in time you would almost be better getting a newer cpu and motherboard however your semi out luck as you said its a Dell
 
WARNING! I missed the Dell part. Make sure you can install your Dell copy of Windows on a new (non-Dell branded MB). Some check the bios to make sure it's going onto a Dell. Liscensing issue with MS.
 
Make sure of your chipset too. My old 1.5 williamette was 850. As Chastity mentioned it would probably be cheaper & better to go with something else.
 
LeeJend said:
WARNING! I missed the Dell part. Make sure you can install your Dell copy of Windows on a new (non-Dell branded MB). Some check the bios to make sure it's going onto a Dell. Liscensing issue with MS.

No worries, I actually am running XP Pro on this system that I bought separatly

Hipster Doofus said:
Make sure of your chipset too. My old 1.5 williamette was 850. As Chastity mentioned it would probably be cheaper & better to go with something else.
Yeah, mine is a 845.

I've thought about buying a new mobo and proc, but seeing as I've survived on this computer (which has PC133) for coming on 4 years with no real problems, I figure, why not just upgrade the mobo / RAM and save some money?
The only problem is it's a pain in the ars trying to find these old mobo's from asus / abit!

DK
 
Look for places in your area that deal with surplus computer stuff. You'll be suprised as to the abundance of parts out there. Find the MoBo you like from them, they can be had very very cheap. Then it's just downloading all the drivers for the particular MoBo you fine.
 
So I've been lookin around, and i can't seem to find a mobo in the 845 line that also utilizes AGP8x. This is key for me as I recently bought a 9800 Pro. any one know of any 845 Willamette mobos that support 8x?

Side note - would I be able to see a noticable difference btw the 8x and 4x?

DK
 
I'll look around for an 845 w/AGP 8x.

It won't make a performance difference though. The CPU doesn't have the FSB speed to utilize anything over 4x.

No luck, they all say AGP 4X. It may be a chipset limitation.
 
http://www.overclockers.com/articles686/

The board seems to be "limited" for an ASUS board. i.e. May require some tweaking to some of the things you will want to as you upgrade. See page 2 about clock multiplier limitations. I have a Chaintek like that and it is a nuisance causing me to under clock my RAM.

A review of sis 648 boards, 4 Manufacturers to choose from.
http://www.explosivelabs.com/reviews/sis648/

And for the thrifty shopper:
http://www.pricewatch.com/default.aspx?p=http://www.pricewatch.com/prc.aspx?i=2&a=5463
 
Last edited:

Members online

No members online now.

Latest profile posts

Also Hi EP and people. I found this place again while looking through a oooollllllldddd backup. I have filled over 10TB and was looking at my collection of antiques. Any bids on the 500Mhz Win 95 fix?
Any of the SP crew still out there?
Xie wrote on Electronic Punk's profile.
Impressed you have kept this alive this long EP! So many sites have come and gone. :(

Just did some crude math and I apparently joined almost 18yrs ago, how is that possible???
hello peeps... is been some time since i last came here.
Electronic Punk wrote on Sazar's profile.
Rest in peace my friend, been trying to find you and finally did in the worst way imaginable.

Forum statistics

Threads
62,015
Messages
673,494
Members
5,621
Latest member
naeemsafi
Back