Motherboard CPU Support

Hi,

I was browsing here:

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduct.asp?submit=manufactory&catalog=343&manufactory=1028&DEPA=0&sortby=14&order=1

and all the Athlon processors have a 266MHz FSB.  Also, is NewEgg a good place, or is there a cheaper solution.

Ryan

I honestly would stick with DDR memory and as deep6blue said upgrade your bios so that you can take advantage of the upgradability

New Egg is a cool place have you tried tigerdirect.com, or go here www.computernyc.com I shop there all the time I just happen to live close to NYC so I can go to the store but they are great and prices a decent.

Newegg is a good place ($67 & free shipping is great), I also do a lot of shopping at www.mwave.com.

There is a small problem with the documentation that goes with your motherboard. The manual says it only operates at 100 or 133 MHz FSB. But the newest BIOS upgrade says it will support up to an Athlon 2200+ (1.8GHz) CPU which operates at 266MHz FSB.  I would send an email to ECS to verify this information BEFORE you purchase a new CPU.

The manual also says that it supports SDRAM at 100 or 133MHz speeds, NOT DDR RAM. I would clarify that in an email to ECS as well.

I apologize that I don't have the exact answer, I think only ECS knows it for sure.

Hi,

Sorry about the confusion.  I actually have 896MB of SD-RAM, not DDR-RAM.  I will e-mail ECS to see which processors it actually supports.  Thank you.

Ryan

blacksteel,

that will not work.  Your second thing will, b/c that is a new motherboard.   But a XP 2200 processor will not work with this board, no questions asked.  If i could find it, there was a question asked about this exact same motherboard and the question was whether a XP2200 would work, it doesn't.  The motherboard, no matter what you do, will not support it.

I have my doubts it will support any of the AMD XP line of CPU's, I would bet the first revision of this MB would only support a CPU of the Thunderbird class up to 1.4Ghz.

rayt333
yeap, exactly what the 1400 + or 1500 + is.

 Go to www.tigerdirect.com and click on motherboard and cpu. Click on Pentium 4/ Celeron. Scroll down to the bottom. You get a motherboard that takes SD-RAM, has PCI slots, an agp slot, and a 2.6 ghz Celeron processor with a 400 Mhz FSB bus for $110. Thats a steal.

its not a steal if it is a celeron processor.

Buckeye,

  Well I researched the board a little and seen the version number, thought the same as rayt33 did. After reviewing the bios update for ECS K7SEM v1.0 on website, it seems to support it. I guess what Rysk8er30 could do is flash the BIOS to see if it will support it or even accept the bios file. Rysk8er30, I would download the bios file and flash utility, give it a try, it wouldn't hurt.

  If it doesn't work or becomes a paper weight, then he can get a new CPU and motherboard that supports SDRAM. I was just thinking that if he was already spending $$$ on CPU and motherboard, then he might as well go DDR memory. It's really up to Rysk8er30 to make that decision. I'm looking at saving Rysk8er30 money by just doing a Bios flash and upgrade the CPU.

L8ter,

BlackSteel

<< I would download the bios file and flash utility, give it a try, it wouldn't hurt. >>

Uhhh I beg to differ on that opinion, I have seen the results of flashing the wrong BIOS update to a system that doesn't support it.
Can we say "junk" is the result of this?

I think I would advise the questioner to contact Tech support at ECS and see what BIOS update is supported and what CPU are supported by this version of MB.

sure its a steal. Those processors alone sell for how much? 140 bucks. Getting the bundle is a steal.

Rayt,

  I respect your opinion and don't disagree on it. I believe you can backup the old bios file in case it does mess the motherboard up, unless I'm wrong about it. I don't like to flash the bios either and would advise not to unless you know exactly what your doing. If you can contact Tech support then do so just to make sure. My theory is the results will be the same, support for 2200+.

<<I have seen the results of flashing the wrong BIOS update to a system that doesn't support it.>> It happens Rayt, but I was wondering if you did backup the BIOS files on these motherboards. I was just wondering if you did and if board could be saved, curious.

l8ter,
BlackSteel

blacksteel
This has happened to me with two different systems, I didn't do the BIOS update, but both machines were brought to me after a failed attemt to load new BIOS, the first time I spent 2 days trying to get system running again, but BIOS chip was hosed, the cost of a new BIOS chip was more then a replacement MB, guess which one I went with?
The second time I didn't waste any time but told owner to get new MB and quit with the BIOS updates if unneeded. He thought newer BIOS must be better so he leaped without looking. I never reccomend BIOS update unless I am sure it is needed. Newer isn't always better!

In this case you are talking about different revisions of the MB, without knowing more about the different revisions I would never reccomend a BIOS update. I have seen MB with same model numbers but different revisions be totally different, something I would think would make a different model, but the manufactuer still called it the same model (but added a higher revision). I have seen where same model number is used for MB with built-in video, sound, LAN, modem, ect and any combo  of those devices to also include none of them. what was the differences? the revisions of course, and the BIOS was different for most of the revisions.

duffmaster
>>Those processors alone sell for how much?
don't know where you are looking.  THey are 80 on price watch.  You could get a much better Athlon for cheaper.



You can not use the bios from another revision.  The motherboard bios chipped will be done with.

Rayt,

  I get your point on what your talking about, thanks for clearing that up. Let's see, hmm! I'm just going to say, "Buy a new Motherboard!" A board that supports both memory types, then you can update processor.

Similar to this board:
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=13-130-404&depa=1



You can get something like that and a processor for under $125. Hmm, I might get something like that for the wooden PC I'm building, sweet.

Hi,

What would happen if I borrowed a AMD Athlon 2400 Processor from another computer, and put it in mine.  Would there be any chance of killing my motherboard or the processor?  I know my board is the K7SEM PCB 1.0.  I can flash the BIOS and plan to do so.  I have tried to e-mail ECS, but they have not responded.  Thanks.

Ryan

nothing should happen if you try it.  It will either show up as a different processor or your computer will not boot at all.


>>I have tried to e-mail ECS, but they have not responded
there customer service is as bad as their motherboards.

<< there customer service is as bad as their motherboards. >>
That is sure a true statement.

If you are seeking a new MB, you would be better off buying an Asus brand, or Abit, or even Gigabyte.
Avoid PC Chips and others that are pretty much the same (such as MSI, ECS, ect)

Oh and that includes Biostar as well.

definetly avoid PC chips and ECS as they are the same company.  Also avoid FIC.  

adding to the good motherboards  Soyo or Soyo Dragon.

rayt333
how is the fishing and where is your charter?

LOL

i take it that it must be a joke :0 and i bit.

Read it again, maybe even say it out loud

Here is another play on words"

Write these three words on a paper, then get someone to say them out loud, over and over a few times until they say it fast enough.

We
Tall
Did

lol I see.

isn't that a little vulgar? ;)

RySk8er30,

  The processor should work, but you have to set it for 2200+ CPU since thats the most the BIOS can support now. Anyway, the comment about ECS and PC Chimps, uhh I mean Chips, it is true to a certain degree. ECS is slightly better and stable than PC Chips for the money. You could use the ECS board for gaming, but I wouldn't show it off at a LAN party. PC Chips, the same deal goes for them. I would most likely purchase a refurb board than go PC Chips.

  Biostar, I'm not sure about this board and experiences with it. The support for ECS is like trying to get in touch with  Dell or AOL support. Please don't get me started on AOL support and the people they outsource to India. In short summary, AOL tech support don't know a damn thing about PC's.  Rayt333, LOL!!! yeah thats not original, pre-school! Hey if the comments are going to be retarded then I should mention the name: Dick Fokker. Yeah, I would hate to have that name. What torture in school that would be? If you didn't get the name then read rayt333's last comment. Ok, this is just all in good fun, sorry if I offended anyone! Good day!

BlackSteel

>> ECS is slightly better and stable than PC Chips
don't think so considering they are the same boards made by each other.  


and i am not going to argue with the fact that the processor will not work anymore.

Did this question ever get a definite answer?
Ive got a K7SEM with the B1 sticker and updated to the B1 bios and yes an Athlon Xp 2200 cpu.  The problem is constant lockups.  It can run for up to 4 hours faultlessly but other times wont even get to Windows.  A definite kick in performance over the old Duron 1300 but just not reliable as it is.   Does this mean the Athlon is just not compatible or is there some other reason?
The usual suspects.  Power supply is AMD approved, seems ok.  Memory could be the problem.  Running Hynix 516 but Crucial have the only approved stuff for the mobo it seems.  Cant think of anything else.
Pity if this wont work because the latest SIS drivers really do make a big difference.
Anyone got any thoughts?