From IBD 2/24/98
Question: Does idti have upgrade chip for 233 and above. Do they market it to the public. This sounds like a market waiting to happen? Comments
Chipping Away At Pentium II Upgrades
Date: 2/24/98
Author: Matt Krantz
So you've decided to buy a personal computer powered by a Pentium II?
What you may not know is that the popular microprocessor can't be
upgraded. At least, not unless you know a few tricks.
Intel Corp. has no plans to sell an upgrade kit - a replacement chip and
supporting documentation - for the Pentium II. That's a big difference from
Intel's practice with its four previous generations of microprocessors.
Let's say that a few years ago you bought a PC powered by an original
Pentium. It ran at 100 megahertz. But you then wanted to boost the speed
with a 166-megahertz Pentium.
All you had to do was pay $200 or so for the faster Pentium. Then you could
have your local computer store make the replacement, or even do it yourself
if you had some experience.
Now, suppose you buy a PC powered by a 233-megahertz Pentium II. Intel
won't sell an upgrade kit, or make one available to resellers. Intel, though,
says it will let PC makers sell their own upgrade kits. But PC makers have
never been inclined to sell such products. They'd rather you upgraded to a
new PC.
''We helped the PC makers understand there is a market for processor
upgrades (though) we aren't offering them,'' said Jim Langston, marketing
director of Intel's reseller products division. ''It's really (PC makers') choice
whether to offer it or not.''
And there's another problem with upgrading Pentium IIs. Unlike earlier chips,
you can't just replace the microprocessor. Because of a new design Intel will
be using in most computers by year-end, to upgrade you'll almost surely have
to replace the motherboard as well as the processor. The motherboard is a
computer's frame, much like the frame of a car, into which all components
are plugged.
But don't fret. There are ways to upgrade your Pentium II system. And
they're much cheaper than buying a new system.
Here are some things to keep in mind.
First, you might want to find a PC maker that offers processor upgrade
plans. That might be hard, though. As of recently, Compaq Computer Corp.,
Dell Computer Corp., NEC Corp. and International Business Machines
Corp. all said they won't offer upgrades. Things could change, though.
Second, make sure the PC uses a standard motherboard. Replacing such
boards can cost as little as $200.
Basically, what you want is an ATX-style motherboard, says Scott Mueller,
author of ''Upgrading & Repairing PCs.''
ATX is the most common type of motherboard. It has a standard shape and
size, making it easier to upgrade, Mueller says.
Most manufacturers use ATX motherboards, but not always in all models.
Getting a computer with a standard motherboard is a good idea in any case.
It gives you more options later for changing or upgrading.
Swapping motherboards can be relatively easy, say some industry sources.
Let's say you have a 233-megahertz Pentium II and want to upgrade it to a
266-megahertz model. In some cases you can simply remove the old Pentium
II and replace it with a faster one. But in many cases, you first will need a
motherboard, perhaps an Intel AL440 LX. It costs around $220, Mueller
says.
Then all you will need is a Pentium II processor, which can sell for less than
$300. That means you can upgrade to a state-of-the-art system for less than
$600.
Is upgrading a motherboard a job for hard-core computer wizards?
It used to be. And some PC makers will tell you it still is. But thanks to the
''build-to-order'' trend, PCs are being designed to be much simpler, explains
Bob O'Malley, president of computer reseller Microage Inc. He formerly
helped manage IBM's PC business.
''It's easier to access the motherboard than ever before,'' O'Malley said.
Mostly, all that's required is unplugging the power supply cables, much as
you'd unplug a toaster from a wall socket, and then unscrewing the
motherboard. ''I've done it in 30 minutes,'' author Mueller said.
Books like Mueller's or ''Idiot's Guide to Upgrading Your PC'' by Jennifer
Fulton give the basics of snapping out the motherboard and replacing it.
You can buy motherboards and new processors from most retailers, resellers
and distributors. And most PC makers also will give you a list of ''preferred''
service centers that may do the work for you.
But not all industry sources are hooked on the benefits of upgrading.
For nontechies, ''Taking out a motherboard's not fun,'' said Andy Rathbone,
author of ''Upgrading and Fixing PCs for Dummies.'' He says the problems
that can pop up in upgrading, as well as the costs, often outweigh the
benefits.
So with those cautions in mind, consider a couple of final points:
Make sure upgrading wouldn't cost more than just buying a new system.
And don't upgrade your system until after your manufacturer's warranty
expires. After you change the motherboard, don't count on getting any help
from the PC maker. |
