Question for PC techies.

[LeedsFan]

I've got the chance to get a cheap PC base unit for my Mame cab. It uses the KT7A-Raid motherboard with an 800 MHz Duron processor fitted.

I've tried to do a bit of research on the net to find the fastest processor that this MB will support. According to the specs this MB will support Socket A processors up to bus speeds of 266 Mhz (2 x 133). I've checked the specs of Athlon processors and the fastest Soccket A you can get with 266 MHz bus speed is the Athlon XP 2600+.

Am I correct in this? I'm not too well up on what will work with what. I don't want to  buy a processor that won't work with this board.

[Craig]

As far as I know, the XP 2400+ Thoroughbred was the last to have a 266 FSB and the 2500+ and 2600+ are 333 FSB Barton CPUs.

I think your board is a 266 type.

[sirwoogie]

Craig is correct. The 2400+ was the last of the Thoroughbred cores  to run at the 266 Mhz FSB. Of course there is the Duron 1.8Ghz at 266 as well. There's only about a $20 difference between the two.

But, according to the spec sheet, the highest chip officially supported is a AthlonXP 2100. A 2400+ may work, but it's not explicitly stated, and I don't have a board to verify the multiplier exists high enough for you to go 2400.

[LeedsFan]

I'm sure the Athlon XP 2600+ came in both 266 MHz and 333 Mhz forms.    I got found this information through Google.....

http://www.geek.com/procspec/amd/thoroughbred.htm

I think the spec sheet only mentioned Athon XP 2100+ because that was the last of the Palomino cores. Could be wrong though.....

Anyway.... thanks for the advice guys.    I just needed confirmation that I can fit any Socket A processor with 266 MHz FSB into that board and that there isn't some other spec I need to check.  I may not go to the limit but I would like to upgrade from the 800 MHz Duron.

[Craig]

If they did they don't make them anymore. You likely won't see anyone selling them unless you look on eBay.

[Crazy Cooter]

That's was a good motherboard.  I have the older version (KT7-RAID) and use it with a 600 Duron overclocked to 1Ghz with Mushkin memory.

Here's what you need:
http://www.abit-usa.com/products/mb/products.php?categories=1&model=89 ->Mobo specs. Look to the left under product information - "specification"

 Processor
- AMD Socket A Duron (100MHz FSB) up to 950MHz
- AMD Socket A Athlon (100/133MHz FSB) up to 1.4GHz

-"Unofficially" - http://www.sfftech.com/showfaqs.cfm?fid=2&fcid=16
KT7A/KT7A-RAID versions 1.0 to 1.2: All Athlon (Thunderbird) processors with both 100MHz and 133MHz FSB. AthlonXP processors are not officially supported due to a minor timing problem that can require you to hit reset during a cold boot. Unofficially, however, few people seem to experience this problem and these processors work fine.  One user had to set the CPU Driver value to 1 (instead of 2) to achieve stability with an XP1900+ on a v1.1 motherboard.
KT7A/KT7A-RAID versions 1.3: All Duron, Duron (Morgan core), Athlon (Thunderbird) and AthlonXP processors to 2100+ are supported.   AthlonXP processors at 2200+ are not supported.

[ften]

They did make xp 2600+ at 266mhz

Quick link to pricewatch;
http://www.pricewatch.com/h/prc.aspx?i=3&a=4961&f=1

Articles talking about the three versions of that chip;
http://www3.hardwarezone.com/articles/view.php?cid=2&id=570&pg=2

http://www.pcvsconsole.com/hank/answer.php?file=564

Doesn't look like your board can support it anyway, Sorry.

-FTen