Help Request: Max CPU upgrade on Biostar M6TBA Ver. 1.4
Hey there, I am trying to get the best compatible CPU for this motherboard. It is a Biostar M6TBA Ver. 1.4 with the i440BX chipset and the latest BIOS update: TBA0602B from June 2nd, 2000.
Currently it is running a Pentium III 450MHz. I don't know too much about the different architecture, but from what I found out, this is a slot 1 CPU.
There is no manual available online or much specific detail on the 1.4 version, but there are a few forum posts. Although there is several pieces of documentation for the 1.3 version.
Anyway, from reading up, I found that the CPU socket type should be Slot 1, in theory. Assuming that wasn't changed from board version 1.3.
For example, board version 1.3 documentation specifies max RAM size at 384MB, but I have maxed out my RAM at 786MB.
Additionally, I looked into Slot 1 to Socket 370 converters.
What I would really like is a CPU supporting SSE2, but I am pretty sure that is impossible with this mother board and that no socket converters exist that would allow a Pentium 4 or higher.
My current specs are:
Biostar M6TBA Ver 1.4
2 IDE hard drives (One 8GB running extended kernel Win2K, and One 60GB running Win7. But I have to manually swap connections and power)
i740 AGP GPU (unused but left in because the system wont display/work properly with it taken out)
PNY NVIDIA GeForce 8400 GS
3 SDR UDIMM sticks (maxed out at 786MB usable RAM)
Pentium III 450 MHz (Katmai? But this is what I want to replace)
Celeron and Pentium series CPUs seem to be the prime target for potential.
Overall, if you could help me find what the fastest natively supported slot 1(?) CPU is, that would be great. And if there are any additional steps like flipping switches on the board, because I am a real newb.
Additionally, if you could help me find what slot 1 to Socket 370 converter I would need for the best results, and what fastest CPU I could use with it is, that would be awesome.
Lastly, if any of you know of a way I could get an SSE2 supporting CPU to work (maybe a slot 1 or socket 370 CPU if that exists...)
To reiterate: I want to get the max speed CPU (without overclocking) to the best natively supported and/or what slot 1 to Socket 370 converter I need (and what is the fastest CPU I can use with it).
Currently it is running a Pentium III 450MHz. I don't know too much about the different architecture, but from what I found out, this is a slot 1 CPU.
There is no manual available online or much specific detail on the 1.4 version, but there are a few forum posts. Although there is several pieces of documentation for the 1.3 version.
Anyway, from reading up, I found that the CPU socket type should be Slot 1, in theory. Assuming that wasn't changed from board version 1.3.
For example, board version 1.3 documentation specifies max RAM size at 384MB, but I have maxed out my RAM at 786MB.
Additionally, I looked into Slot 1 to Socket 370 converters.
What I would really like is a CPU supporting SSE2, but I am pretty sure that is impossible with this mother board and that no socket converters exist that would allow a Pentium 4 or higher.
My current specs are:
Biostar M6TBA Ver 1.4
2 IDE hard drives (One 8GB running extended kernel Win2K, and One 60GB running Win7. But I have to manually swap connections and power)
i740 AGP GPU (unused but left in because the system wont display/work properly with it taken out)
PNY NVIDIA GeForce 8400 GS
3 SDR UDIMM sticks (maxed out at 786MB usable RAM)
Pentium III 450 MHz (Katmai? But this is what I want to replace)
Celeron and Pentium series CPUs seem to be the prime target for potential.
Overall, if you could help me find what the fastest natively supported slot 1(?) CPU is, that would be great. And if there are any additional steps like flipping switches on the board, because I am a real newb.
Additionally, if you could help me find what slot 1 to Socket 370 converter I would need for the best results, and what fastest CPU I could use with it is, that would be awesome.
Lastly, if any of you know of a way I could get an SSE2 supporting CPU to work (maybe a slot 1 or socket 370 CPU if that exists...)
To reiterate: I want to get the max speed CPU (without overclocking) to the best natively supported and/or what slot 1 to Socket 370 converter I need (and what is the fastest CPU I can use with it).
Comments
And here's discussion of CPU issues with your mobo on an old forum:
https://www.sharkyforums.com/showthread.php?196606-Biostar-M6TBA-and-Pentium-III-800E
https://www.vogons.org/viewtopic.php?t=105884
"I guess it is probably hard to find an old motherboard expert nowadays."
No, they are around. You got more than what you paid for (a response), and then couldn't say thank you.
FWIW: Clear back in June 2003 a similar question regarding that same mobo was asked on Tom's hardware- and answered.
It's amazing how someone not sure what cpu it supports ("I don't know too much about the different architecture but from what I found out, this is a slot 1 CPU") still wants to clock it to the max.
This with 25-26 year old electrolytic capacitors. And sure as hell has hinges, when one or more of those caps or a VR shit's it's brains out - you'll blame it on bad advice.
PS: a new freaking manual is only 30 bucks.
Yes, it was me. I did post the exact same topic on vogons.
I appreciate your support. I did contact Biostar support a while ago to see if they had documentation for the M6TBA Ver. 1.4 and never received a response
My biggest concern now is the voltage requirement.
I ordered an Intel Tualatin Celeron 1.4GHz(256K) 100MHz FSB 1.5v with On-chip Socket Adapter for Coppermine sockets
https://www.ebay.com/itm/281931957654
the seller lists the Biostar M6TBA as compatible with the right slotket.
Should the MSI MS6905 Master v2 Slotket with VID as low as 1.5v work with this CPU and mobo?
I am concerned about the voltage requirement because I don't know if my Biostar M6TBA Ver. 1.4 is able to work with VID on the Slotket of 1.5v.
I am pretty sure the board it self is from sometime in '99, and it has an award bios update from June 2nd 2000.
Let me know if you have any insight on this. Sorry, and thank you again.
Wrong. Your biggest concern should be those caps. You are throwing good money after bad, and Biostar mobos were one of many brands that used the defective Taiwanese caps. Unless you just enjoy spectacular electronic displays of sparks and smoke.
Attached is image of a M6TBA with blown caps. They are the 4 rightmost. And that end one is so bad, it's pushed away from the mobo.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capacitor_plague
"and it has an award bios update from June 2nd 2000"
Interesting. The latest one archived on the old biostar web site is Nov 1999.
Which is insanely expensive... Any alternative suggestions for maxing out the CPU? Any alternative voltage regulating Slotkets you know of?
Nothing in life is completely certain, and all hardware fails eventually. Is this so different? It hasn't shown evidence of issue, would putting a faster CPU on it cause more straign on the capacitors?
No.
The Biostar boards were in the Walmart/KIA market niche. Want to play hot-rodder? Get a board designed for tweaking the 440 chipset - like Asus or Abit. But then, those would cost you real money.
"Is this so different?" Seriously?
"It hasn't shown evidence of issue" Yeah, like any blowout. It comes on sudden like. smh
"would putting a faster CPU on it cause more straign on the capacitors?" Don't worry, they will blow fast enough with a stock setup. That's why there is a a wikipedia page on the plague, and most retro tinkerers would replace the caps FIRST.
Unless the MSI MS6905 Master v2 arrives. It is only another $15 for that CPU, so not much too lose. If I notice the signs of a capacitor going bad, I will either document and remove them, or leave the device carefully store until I am able to replace them.