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What dual Socket 8 mobo?

Posted: Wed Jul 20, 2005 5:46 pm
by bhtooefr
I'm tossing around an idea, here... I want to build a dual processor Pentium Pro rig for fun.

The problem is finding a mobo for it, though.

I need a mobo that is cheap, is ATX, has two Socket 8 sockets, uses SDRAM (this is the REALLY hard part - the 440FX, which was the most common chipset for the PPro, doesn't support SDRAM), preferably doesn't use a riser for the CPUs, supports dual 200/1M chips, and isn't made by PC Chips (I don't know that they made one, I'm just trying to avoid it if there IS one).

The closest I've found to what I need is the Intel PR440FX, but it doesn't use SDRAM, and it doesn't support the 1M 200 - only the 256 and 512 (however, if anybody's tried a 1M, and it worked, tell me).

I would prefer to not use a dual Slot 1 mobo with two Socket 8 slotkets, but if that's the only way to get what I want, then so be it.

This rig is going to be called "The Once and Future King of Intel x86".

And, no, a dual P2 rig is NOT going to work. It HAS to be a PPro for this project, because the PPro is the first P6 chip.

Oh, and it'll fold, of course - two instances, even!

Edit: I'm going to list the boards I'm looking at, and their downfalls.

Intel Desktop Board PR440FX
Pros:
  • Intel boards are usually pretty reliable
  • Amazingly, it OCs well, from what I've heard. Unusual for an Intel board...
Cons:
  • Uses 168-pin ECC EDO, not SDRAM
  • Doesn't officially support the 200/1M
  • Only supports 512MB RAM (should be enough, though)
Tyan Titan-Pro ATX
Pros:
  • Tyan boards are also known for their reliablility
  • Supports 1GB RAM
  • Uses more common 72-pin EDO
Cons:
  • Uses EDO


Edit 2: Removed the VRM stuff, seeing as VRMs are actually fairly easy to find, and they're not as proprietary as I thought...

Posted: Wed Jul 20, 2005 7:08 pm
by bhtooefr
Hmm... eBay is good if you want cheap RAM...

EDO is OK, then...

(I found a four-pack of 128MB 168-pin ECC EDO for $50 buy it now.)

Seeing as the Intel board has integrated 10/100 LAN, that's a plus.

However, it's only got four PCI slots, one of which is shared with the ISA slot.

The Tyan board has five PCI slots, and three ISA slots (one PCI and one ISA are shared, of course), but no integrated LAN.

Posted: Wed Jul 20, 2005 7:12 pm
by paco
now why do you want to use such out dated hardware?

Posted: Wed Jul 20, 2005 7:17 pm
by bhtooefr
Because I feel like it ;-)

I want to build one loaded Pentium Pro rig, and then if I get a CRAPLOAD of money, build a desktop Yonah or Sossaman rig - kinda a "first and last P6" kinda thing.