Difference between revisions of "Socket 4 Motherboards"

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== Socket 4 ==
 
 
[[File:Socket_4.JPG|200px|thumb||Socket 4]]
 
[[File:Socket_4.JPG|200px|thumb||Socket 4]]
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Socket 4 was released around 1993 and housed the very first real Pentium processor. Very few different CPU's have been made to fit this socket, which is limited to the Pentium 60MHz, the Pentium 66MHz and the obscure Pentium Overdrive which ran at either 120MHz or 133MHz. Because of the limited variety of CPU's manufactured for this socket and the limited speed options these motherboards provided, Socket 4 is a far less flexible platform when compared to Socket 3 or Socket 7. Socket 4 supported the then new 60MHz FSB and 66MHz FSB (even though some Socket 4 motherboards were made that had slower FSB's like 50MHz and 40MHz). Usually Socket 4 motherboards were fitted with ISA and PCI slots, though some VLB slotted Socket 4 motherboards were made. Socket 4 motherboards used either EDO or FPM memory modules and the memory modules had to be fitted in pairs where in it's predecessor, single modules were used. This was because Socket 4 was the first x86 motherboard that had a 64-bit memory bus (486 and earlier used a 32-bit, or a 16-bit memory bus).  
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Socket 4 was released in 1993 and was used for the initial Pentium "P5" 60MHz and 66MHz processors. Intel also released two Pentium Overdrive CPUs based on "P54C", operating at 120MHz and 133MHz. There are no other CPU options for this socket without the use of VRM adapters such as Powerleap PL-54C/MMX. Intel quickly abandoned Socket 4 as the 5V Pentiums produced an excessive amount of heat. Usually Socket 4 motherboards have ISA and PCI slots, though most of the earlier models have VLB or even just ISA. Socket 4 motherboards typically use 72-pin SIMM FPM DRAM modules, but sometimes supported 30-pin memory as well. Most of the time 72-pin memory is fitted in pairs if the motherboard uses a 64-bit memory bus, however some of the earlier chipsets from OPTi were crude reworkings of their 486 chipsets that still used 32-bit data paths. These motherboards allowed SIMMs to be installed one at a time, but were best avoided due to their poor performance.  
  
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All Socket 4 motherboards were made as AT motherboards or as proprietary boards. No ATX Socket 4 motherboards were ever made. No AGP slotted Socket 4 motherboard was ever made.
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All Socket 4 motherboards were made as baby AT motherboards or in proprietary formfactors for OEMs.
  
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== Chipsets ==
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*Intel 430LX "Mercury"
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*SiS 501/502/503 PCI, ISA
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*ALi M1449, M1451 "Aladdin" PCI, ISA
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*Forex 601A/602A PCI, VLB, ISA (PCI appears to be bridged to VLB)
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*OPTi 571/572 VLB, ISA "486/Pentium Writeback" (Hybrid 486/586 design, 64-bit SRAM, 32-bit DRAM)
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*OPTi 693/696 VLB "Pentium uP Write Back Cache EISA", EISA "(Dual CPU, 64-bit SRAM, 32-bit DRAM)
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*OPTi 596/597 "Cobra / Pentium Adaptive Write Back" (CPU host interface, 32bit VLB, 64bit L2 cache, 64bit DRAM)
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*OPTI 546/547 "Python" (fixes bugs in the Cobra chipset, PCI and VLB not bridged)
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*OPTi 556/557/558 "Viper" (supports dual CPU)
  
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'''Today:''' These days Socket 4 isn't the best basis for a retro rig, as there are better alternatives out there. Socket 3 (486) boards are just as fast as Socket 4 and offer more flexibility then Socket 4, which generally speaking is locked at either 60MHz or 66MHz. Socket 7 (and Super 7) on the high end offer much more flexibility also and can be slowed down to almost the same speed using different processors and/or speed settings. Last but not least, Socket 4 motherboards aren't all that common as Socket 4 was so quickly replaced by Socket 5 and Socket 7.
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'''Today:''' Socket 4 is an uncommon choice because the boards and CPUs were produced in quantities much smaller than their 3.3V cousins, and configuration options are extremely limited. The old chipsets used for it are also drawbacks.

Latest revision as of 12:38, 26 November 2015

Socket 4

Socket 4 was released in 1993 and was used for the initial Pentium "P5" 60MHz and 66MHz processors. Intel also released two Pentium Overdrive CPUs based on "P54C", operating at 120MHz and 133MHz. There are no other CPU options for this socket without the use of VRM adapters such as Powerleap PL-54C/MMX. Intel quickly abandoned Socket 4 as the 5V Pentiums produced an excessive amount of heat. Usually Socket 4 motherboards have ISA and PCI slots, though most of the earlier models have VLB or even just ISA. Socket 4 motherboards typically use 72-pin SIMM FPM DRAM modules, but sometimes supported 30-pin memory as well. Most of the time 72-pin memory is fitted in pairs if the motherboard uses a 64-bit memory bus, however some of the earlier chipsets from OPTi were crude reworkings of their 486 chipsets that still used 32-bit data paths. These motherboards allowed SIMMs to be installed one at a time, but were best avoided due to their poor performance.

All Socket 4 motherboards were made as baby AT motherboards or in proprietary formfactors for OEMs.

Chipsets

  • Intel 430LX "Mercury"
  • SiS 501/502/503 PCI, ISA
  • ALi M1449, M1451 "Aladdin" PCI, ISA
  • Forex 601A/602A PCI, VLB, ISA (PCI appears to be bridged to VLB)
  • OPTi 571/572 VLB, ISA "486/Pentium Writeback" (Hybrid 486/586 design, 64-bit SRAM, 32-bit DRAM)
  • OPTi 693/696 VLB "Pentium uP Write Back Cache EISA", EISA "(Dual CPU, 64-bit SRAM, 32-bit DRAM)
  • OPTi 596/597 "Cobra / Pentium Adaptive Write Back" (CPU host interface, 32bit VLB, 64bit L2 cache, 64bit DRAM)
  • OPTI 546/547 "Python" (fixes bugs in the Cobra chipset, PCI and VLB not bridged)
  • OPTi 556/557/558 "Viper" (supports dual CPU)


Today: Socket 4 is an uncommon choice because the boards and CPUs were produced in quantities much smaller than their 3.3V cousins, and configuration options are extremely limited. The old chipsets used for it are also drawbacks.

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