Resources
UGeek Home
Java Chat Room
Message Parlor
New This Month
Daily Geek News
Features
System Upgrader
Reviews
Technical Glossary
Tips & Tricks
GameGeek
GeekToons

UGeek Systems
Gaming Dream System
Dream Workstation
Insane System
Spec and Buy a PC

How To:
Buy a PC
Build a PC
Buy a Laptop

You Tell Us!
Rants and Raves
Tales from the Geekside
Reader Comments

Sections
UGeek
ChipGeek
PDAGeek
JobGeek

UGeek
Welcome
Buy UGeek T-Shirts
Register to Win!
Friends of UGeek
UGeek Newsletters
Site Map
Contact Us
Privacy Statement
Advertising Info

Hardware and Software

posted: 11/05/99

Slot 1 is the smart choice

QUESTION

Here's my system:

• Celeron 400
• 20 GB hard drive
• 256 MB RAM
• SoundBlaster AWE64 sound card
• 56Kbps modem
• 17-inch CRT
• Windows 98

There is a lot of info going around that Intel will move thier 'consumer' line to the 370 pin socket. Has there been an official statement? How soon would the Slot1 chips disappear? I'm building several PC's and have used a Slot1 adapter for some of them. Should I just go with the PPGA slots?

--Ray C

ANSWER
To clarify for those that don't know, what UGeek commonly refers to as Socket 370, is also known as a 370 pin socket PPGA (Plastic Pin Grid Array). Will Intel abandon Slot 1 in favor of Socket 370? Eventually, it is rumored that they will, but so far, they have not. So, does that mean you should abandon your trusty old Slot 1 motherboard? I say NO!

Already, many, many companies manufacture Slot 1 to Socket 370 convertors for about US$20. We've heard of one adapter already (the Slocket II) that will adapt the newer Flip Chip Socket 370 processors into a Slot 1 configuration.

Also, remember that new FC-PGA processors won't even work in old PPGA / Socket 370 motherboards. Intel changed the pin configuration so that they can sell more new motherboards.

With all that in mind, the best choice is to stick with Slot 1 motherboards. That way, you can use Slot 1 processors, and any PPGA or FC-PGA processors as well. So, you have to pay for an adapter, but it's worth it for the flexibility.

Home | Welcome | Survey | Newsletters | Site Map | Contact Us
Advertise | Search | Privacy

© 1996-1999 UGeek - All rights reserved.