Netfinity 3500 (8644-30U) max CPU possible

[Coooney]

I've got a cusotmer that just picked up a Netfinity 3500 (8644-30U) server for $100. It's currently running a single PII 333 CPU. It appears that with a BIOS upgrade, the MB will support PIII 500s. I've got 2 PIII 550s on my shelf. Anybody know if I could underclock the PIII 550s to 500Mhz? I'm thinking as long as the input voltages are the same (or correct) it should work. Best I can tell the maximum bus multiplier is x5 thus the limitation at 500Mhz. Underclocking seems like an oxymoron, but hey if it works it works right? Any input?

Thanks!

 

[neilcresswell]

AS long as you install Bios version 35 (1.35) you can upgrade to a PIII 500MHZ 512KB Cache.
I cannot see any reason why you could not underclock a 550MHZ proc as long as the switches are set OK.

Let me know how you get on...

N

 

[Coooney]

I couldn't find any way to change the CPU core voltage from 2.0v to 1.6v to run the 550s in the system. I believe the CPU dip switch on the MB is simple setting the bus multiplier. And all CPU's that are 'aproved' for the server are 2.0v. Does anyone know if it's possible to change the core voltage on this system - Netfinity 3500 (8644-30U)?

 

[catorze]

Your initial assessment is incorrect. Although BIOS v1.35 does update the Intel processor code, the maximum speed processor the 8644-30U will support is the PII 333MHz (x2).

 

[y2kR1]

I Agree. The Max CPU a 8644-30U is a 333, as it is a 66mhz bus....350 & up is a P3 100mhz bus.

500 or 550P3 will not run in this system. I actually tried it once as we have a few hundred of these servers around.