Upgrade prob.....

[Will Eatforfood]

I'm planning on upgrading to a P3 1.2ghz which is like only 83 bucks now. I currently have an IBM Aptiva 2163, with an Acer V66M mobo----I think.The only way to identify it was the Acer on the Bios chip, and the printed V66M with serial numbers....I want to know if the new CPU is compatible with my current motherboard, or do I have to buy a new mobo. Only getting new mobo if really necessary for new 1.2 ghz cpu.This is only for a back-up since I'll have a nice 2. something or 3. something ghz, P4 with ....err....some mobo...must research.But please help with the question at hand!

[Supertrucker]

well, the best i can tell that will be a slot 1 motherboard, not a socket 370, slot processors are grossly overpriced so you would want to go with a socket 370 chip and a slocket, and im pretty sure it would have to be a non tualatin p3/celeron.

if you have a full atx case and wanted to upgrade on a budget i would get a refurb sdram socket a mobo and 1700+ amd xp, or a tualatin capable socket 370 and a 1~1.3ghz tualatin celeron

[Will Eatforfood]

What could I do if I really wanted P3?Like what mobo to get to work with Tualatin P3 1.2?Also, thanks for replying.

[Supertrucker]

well, they should clearrly say tualatin compatable if they are. but keep this in mind about tualatin celerons, they have 256k l2 cache like the coppermine p3s, and perform very similarly to a coppermine p3 clock for clock, if i remember correctly. it would be a very good and cost effective upgrade, but for the right price you can also get p3 tualatins, in 256k and 512k cache configurations.

p3 1.4 512kb cache ~210$ at newegg
1.3 celeron 256kb cache ~45$ at newegg

biostar mobo tualatin ready ~47 dollars at newegg.

personally, i couldnt bring myself to spend that much more for a p3 that would show almost no benifit in single cpu configurations, however the p3 would be dual capable at a later date if you wanted that route, and there are many better options for tualatin boards, just pick a brand you like and search that forum to see what you come up with