1.2 Processor
The motherboard supports a single Intel Pentium II processor. The processor�s VID pins automatically program the voltage regulator on the motherboard for the required processor voltage. In addition, the host bus speed (66 MHz and 100 MHz) is automatically selected.
CAUTION
The WS440BX motherboard supports Pentium II processors with a 100- or 66-MHz host bus. Processors with a 100-MHz host bus should be used only with 100-MHz SDRAM; the motherboard will not operate reliably if a processor with a 100-MHz host bus is paired with 66-MHz SDRAM. Processors with a 66-MHz host bus can be used with 66-MHz or 100-MHz SDRAM. The processor is packaged in a Single Edge Contact (S.E.C.) cartridge. The cartridge includes the processor core, second-level cache, thermal plate, and back cover. The processor connects to the motherboard through the 242-contact slot connector. When mounted in the 242-pin edge connector, the processor is secured by a retention mechanism attached to the motherboard. Processors with passive heatsinks are stabilized by a heatsink support that is attached to the motherboard. The motherboard supports the following processors:
Processor Type Pentium II processor Processor Speed (in MHz) 233 266 300 333 350 400 450 Host Bus Speed (in MHz) 66 66 66 66 100 100 100 Packaging Type S.E.C. cartridge
1.2.1
Second-Level Cache
The 512 KB second-level cache is located on the substrate of the S.E.C. cartridge. The cache includes pipelined burst static RAM (PBSRAM) and tag RAM. All supported onboard memory can be cached.
1.2.2
Processor Upgrades
The motherboard can be upgraded with a Pentium II processor that runs at a maximum speed of 450 MHz. When upgrading the processor, use the BIOS configure mode to change the processor speed (see Section 1.14).
