Question: What does the Multimedia Upgrade Kit do?
Answer: The upgrade kit allows users of older Pentium based cpu desktop PC to upgrade to the newer generation Intel MMX, AMD-K6-2, and Cyrix M2 cpu without having to buy a new motherboard or system.
Question: Will my PC run faster after the cpu upgrade?
Answer: Please view the performance testing results on an IBM Aptiva model C67 with:
original cpu Intel Pentium 166MHz cpu
after upgrade to Intel 233 MHz MMX cpu
after upgrade to AMD K6-2 300MHz cpu
after upgrade to AMD K6-2 333MHz cpu
after upgrade to AMD K6-2 366MHz cpu.
Question: How do I know what kind of new MMX CPU the Multimedia Upgrade Kit will work with?
Answer: The bus speed capability of your system will determine which CPU and adapter will work. If your bus speed (refer to your motherboard manual) is limited to 50MHz (Pentium 75 only) then you may only use the Pentium MMX 150 CPU. If your bus supports a clock speed of 66MHz (most Pentium 100 and faster systems), then you can use the upgrade kit with any of the MMX CPU except with the Cyrix M2 200MHz (which requires a 75MHz bus). If your system was limited to a bus speed of 60MHz (Pentium 90 only), then you may still use the upgrade kit with any of the MMX CPU’s, (again with the exception of the Cyrix 200MHz adapter) but your system will run 10% slower than the rated module speed.
Question: Are there any compatibility issues with the Multimedia upgrade kit and MMX CPU’s?
Answer: We have found that some older Pentium motherboards or some PC models do not support the adapter with the AMD-K6 / K6-2 series CPU. Our technical support team can help you identify which motherboards fall into this category. Please refer to the AMD K6 processor motherboard support web page .
We have not yet found any motherboard that was incompatible with the Intel MMX CPU series.
Question: How easy is it to install the Multimedia Upgrade Kit?
Answer: Verify the bus speed setting of your motherboard. Remove the old CPU and fan from your ZIF socket. Insert your new CPU (Intel P55C, AMD-K6, Cyrix M2) to the upgrade kit socket (align the CPU and upgrade kit socket pin position correctly). Press firmly on the top of the chip for connection with the upgrade kit. Insert the upgrade kit to the ZIF socket on your motherboard. Put cooling fan on top of CPU.
Question: How do I know that the Multimedia upgrade kit and New CPU are working properly?
Answer: Most old motherboards BIOS will not display the new CPU speed properly. This is because the BIOS were written before these new generations of CPUs were introduced. The BIOS speed indication has no effect on the actual operating speed of the CPU. Simply run any CPU performance benchmarking software program, like Wintune98 to verify that your CPU is functioning at its correct operating speed. Or Unicore software/Mr. BIOS has an upgrade regardless your existing BIOS is from Award Software, American Megatrends or Phoenix Technologies.
Question: What is the trade-off by using a Multimedia Upgrade Kit versus buying a new motherboard or system?
Answer: The upgrade kit is much less expensive among the options. In addition, you will not have to re-configure any of your installed software and restore your valuable data. It reduces the total down time of your system. The installation of upgrade kit only takes less than 10 minutes after remove your computer case. There is no performance trade-off using the upgrade kit and new CPU. Newer motherboards have features such as USB, or DMA-2 support, but the average user will not likely take advantage of these new features.
Question: How does the upgrade kit with new MMX CPU’s compare against the Intel Overdrive CPU’s.
Answer: From a functional point of view, the upgrade kit with a new Intel MMX CPU and the Intel Overdrive CPU are the same. The upgrade kit offers models that Intel does not (ie. AMD-K6 and Cyrix M2 based processors) and the total cost of upgrade kit solution is substantially cheaper than Intel Overdrive CPU.
Question: Will the upgrade kit fit into my computer case?
Answer: You need to have 4.8cm of clearance on top of your ZIF socket.
Question: How does your upgrade kit compare to other vendors’ solution?
Answer: Some vendors bundle the CPU with upgrade kit. But, you can buy upgrade kit with or without cpu from us. Some upgrade kits are designed for the particular processor, e.g. Intel MMX or AMD K6-2. Our upgrade kit is an universal type which can be used on different processors. As far as the price comparison, you can very easily make your own decision.
Question: Where can I find out more information about CPU upgrade information?
Answer: The following web pages will provide you valuable information:
Intel Pentium Overdrive Processors with MMX Technology
PowerLeap FAQ for Pentium Upgrades
PowerLeap AMD K6-2 Compatible List
PC Vendors Technical Support Web Sites
Socket 7 cpu speed and voltage reference guide
Question: How do I install your CPU upgrade kit?
Answer: Please read our
Installation instruction of upgrade kit.
Installation instruction of pre-assembled upgrade kit with cpu.