Hmmm....
A previous posting mentioned 'upgrading' a system from a DX33 to
a DX/2 (66MHz) or DX/4 (100MHz+)...the voltage problem is this....
Some (or most?) DX33s run off a 5V motherboard, and you'll need to step down
to 3.3V. This means a new MB, or getting one of those step-down sockets
(which I have YET to see for retail sale). If you plan on getting a faster
CPU, you might want to just get another motherboard. Life sucks as far as
'upgrades' are concerned, they're really just replacements.
Intel has also made it pretty difficult to get DX/4s since they'd rather
you purchased one of their flawed Pentium (runs OS/2.0000000110107!)
products. Then the bus problems (PCIA,PCMCIA,NACSAR,VLB,etc) needs to be
considered, as well as whether or not the RAM in your PC works on the
new MB.
All in all, a lot of cash, and it's probably not worth it for the performance
you'll get out of it. I'd recommend waiting, since the speed alone is not
worth the headaches and the price-bullstuff.
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The new overdrive chips are out that perform the voltage transformation automatically and have a
built-in cooling fan. Two problems, though, 1.> Your motherboard *MUST* have an
overdrive socket, and 2.> it costs alot of $$ -- it seems that I read it would retail at about
$499.00 for the DX4 overdrive chip! This is pretty steep and IMHO, you might at well
spend the extra $$ and get a new motherboard (Pentium 90s can be had for around $800-$900
now). Its all in what you want.
I think I'm going to wait until the summer and get either a P5-90 or 100.
My $.02
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| Robert Berryhill - Scarecrow from Wizard of Oz|
| Plano, Tx or was that Congress? | +=================================================================+
If you wait to get a Pentium I hope you get one that works.
