| Do
I have an 5IFM0 or 5IFM1 ? In
order to find out whether your 5IFM mainboard is an 5IFM0 or an 5IFM1, you will have to
look at the PCB markings, which are located between the 3rd and 4th PCI slot on the board.
5IFM M101 or 5IFM M102 indicates an 5IFM0.
5IFM M201 or 5IFM M202 indicates an 5IFM1.
If you want to find the latest BIOS update for your mainboard or report a problem that cannot
be solved by any of the answers in this Q&A section, then you will need to distinguish
between the 5IFM0 and 5IFM1, since their BIOS code is different.
Does my 5IFM0 support MMX CPU`s ?
The 5IFM0 (PCB 5IFM M101 or M102) was designed at a
time when only the preliminary specifications of the new generation of Socket 7 compatible
processors were available. Afterwards, these specifications were changed dramatically,
thus rendering the 5IFM0 incompatible with these processors. As a result, the 5IFM0 can
only support the original Intel Pentium processors up to 200Mhz.
Which MMX CPU`s does the 5IFM1 support ?
The 5IFM1 (PCB 5IFM M201 or M202) was released later
than the 5IFM0 and fully supports the following MMX CPU`s:
Intel MMX (also called P55C) at 166Mhz, 200Mhz and
233Mhz. The 233Mhz is obtained by using the same frequency settings as for the Pentium
100Mhz= 66 x 1.5, the 233Mhz MMX processor uses the 1.5 factor as 3.5 internally.
The AMD K6 series is
supported at 166Mhz and 200Mhz. However, the 200Mhz version is not recommended, because of
the limitations of the linear regulators on the 5IFM board. If you do want to use a 200Mhz
on your 5IFM1 board, then please make sure that you are using a high quality fan (ball
bearing), point the airflow of the fan at the regulators, make sure the case is ventilated
sufficiently and do not expose your system to temperatures of more than 30 degrees
Celsius.
After testing the new Cyrix M2
or 6x86MX processors on the 5IFM1 mainboard we have found that the overheating problems
when using this processor are the same as with the AMD K6 CPU. The 5IFM1 will therefore
not support this CPU series !
How can I distinguish between an 5IFM0 and 5IFM1 without
opening the case ?
To be 100% percent sure of the right
mainboard type, it is better to check the PCB version of the board. If this for some
reason is not possible, you could check the current BIOS date to find out whether your
mainboard is an 5IFM0 or 5IFM1.
The 5IFM0 had the following BIOS
datecodes:
03/15/96, 04/23/96, 06/13/96, 06/14/96,
10/14/96, 02/24/97
The 5IFM1 had the following BIOS
datecodes:
09/04/96, 09/20/96, 10/03/96, 11/01/96,
01/23/96, 02/21/97
How do I
setup the jumpers for the Intel MMX 233Mhz on my 5IFM1 ?
The 5IFM1`s frequency ratio can only set
to 1.5/2/2.5/3, so it seems not possible to use the 233Mhz, which needs a setting of 3.5
(x 66Mhz). However, the Intel MMX 233Mhz can use the 1.5 frequency ratio settings, which
will be used internally as 3.5. The jumpersettings for the 5IFM1 will thus be the same as
for the P100:
Frequency ratio 1.5: BF1 1-2, BF2 1-2
(66Mhz busspeed : JP8 1-2, JP9 2-3)
If you have formerly used a non-MMX CPU,
then please don`t forget to select the dual voltage of 2.8V (core) and 3.3V (I/O) as
follows:
Switch to dual voltage: JP7 no jumpers
installed
Voltage 2.8V/3.3V: J19 jumpers on top position, 6th and 8th position
How can I make my 5IFM cache over 64Mb of DRAM ?
The 5IFM0 (5IFM M101 or M102) can only
cache up to 64Mb of DRAM. Installing more than 64Mb of DRAM will thus result in a
performance penalty.
The 5IFM1 (5IFM M201 or M202), however,
is equipped with a socket, U14, which can be used to upgrade the standard cacheable range
(64Mb) to the maximum of 512Mb DRAM. In order to do this, you will have to add a 32Kx8 TAG
RAM (preferably Winbond) chip into the U14 socket and enable the 512Mb DRAM cacheability
range in the BIOS setup.
AMD K6-2/300 on the 5IFM0 ?
A Chaintech 5IFM0 user has provided the
following information, which should allow the use of an AMD K6-2/300 CPU on the 5IFM0..
Please note that the following
information is posted here as a service to interested users. The information has not been
checked by Chaintech, is not endorsed by Chaintech and Chaintech does not take any
responsibility for any problems resulting from the implementation of this information !
Chaintech will also not react to any e-mails regarding this information.
The 5IFM0 can work with the AMD K6-2 300
by doing the following:
Change core voltage divider resistors
for 2.2V
Set I/O voltage jumpers to 3.3V
Replace Alpha regulator with LT1083CP
(not necessarily needed)
Connect BF2 to ground
Now set board to 66x4.5
BIOS doesn't know K6-2, but the SETK6
utility works
Result: 90% speed of a 100MHz board,
US$15 cost. |
------------