https://theretroweb.com/motherboards/s/dell-s … seattle-3#chips

I have used a 1 GHz via slotket on my Dell board.

Of course you might need to find the proper bios for your board, I dont know if there are any differences between the Dell OEM BX-3 and the Intel OEM BX-3 besides the way Dell messed with the ATX power connector. The board should be the same otherwise.

Edit: After doing some more searching I can not find a BX-3 update bios from Intel and only from Dell. Even the Intel archive site I know of only lists SE440BX and SE440BX-2 plus I have looked for updated Fujitsu bios and coming up with a bigger blank.

The 86A identifies it as Intel as the 10A is for Dell. https://www.wimsbios.com/intelphoenixbiosids.jsp#gsc.tab=0

Not sure about the BX-2 but I'm also using a 1GHZ chip via a slocket on my Seattle 2.

This board here:
https://theretroweb.com/motherboards/s/intel- … 0bx-2-seattle-2

As long as the correct voltages are supported and there is no BIOS lock out I don't see why it wouldn't work. Mine isn't an OEM though, it's the vanilla "retail" version.
One thing to note, I did have a few issues getting the VIA C3 chips to work, I just had to find the right BIOS version.
But rock solid board, FSB is also overclockable but you have to do it via software.

You need to know what PLL chip your board has to know if it can provide the proper voltage for your CPU, that or a rather expensive slocket adapter that has a voltage clamp option.
The Retroweb documentation is a good place to start.

https://theretroweb.com/motherboards/s/dell-s … -seattle-3#docs

Jasin Natael wrote on 2025-02-11, 14:33:

Not sure about the BX-2 but I'm also using a 1GHZ chip via a slocket on my Seattle 2. […]
Show full quote

Not sure about the BX-2 but I'm also using a 1GHZ chip via a slocket on my Seattle 2.

This board here:
https://theretroweb.com/motherboards/s/intel- … 0bx-2-seattle-2

As long as the correct voltages are supported and there is no BIOS lock out I don't see why it wouldn't work. Mine isn't an OEM though, it's the vanilla "retail" version.
One thing to note, I did have a few issues getting the VIA C3 chips to work, I just had to find the right BIOS version.
But rock solid board, FSB is also overclockable but you have to do it via software.

Hi, Thanks for the reply

I wasn't able to find any bios update for the motherboard either. I also tried to find updates on Fujitsu sites by using the sticker (I'm attaching this info) on the computer original case, which was pretty damaged, also with no luck.

If I wanted to install, let's say, a PIII 800 MHz 100 Mhz FSB Slot1 Coppermine, the board should be capable to provide a voltage between 1,65 to 1,75 V. Is there a way (via software?) to know for sure it could be able to do so ? Could the board be damaged (there are no jumpers to set up neither voltages nor multipliers as in other board layouts) if I just plug in such processor ?

Thanks in advance ,

Manel.

Jasin Natael wrote on 2025-02-11, 15:18:

You need to know what PLL chip your board has to know if it can provide the proper voltage for your CPU, that or a rather expensive slocket adapter that has a voltage clamp option.
The Retroweb documentation is a good place to start.

https://theretroweb.com/motherboards/s/dell-s … -seattle-3#docs

Hi, thanks for the reply but I'm not very familiar with electronics (I'm a software developer). I'll have a look at the docs in your link as soon as I'm back at home and try to find any references to the voltage ranges the mobo is able to provide.

Regards,

Manel.

No worries. FWIW I am inclined to believe that the CPU will likely be supported. The Seattle-3 seems to only be the Dell variant of the Seattle 2. Likely the only real difference is the proprietary PSU connector. It might not recognize the CPU properly during POST (mine sees both my Cu PII 1GHZ and Celeron 1.1 as the 1GHZ PIII) but I bet that it will work just fine, as long as Dell didn't lock anything in the BIOS. .........

........come to think of it I do have a Dell Dimension XPS 450 that I upgraded to a Pentium III 850.
That should have the same Seattle 3 board in it. I'm sorry I totally forgot that I even had that PC.
It's a native slot 1 CPU and doesn't use a slocket but same difference.

Jasin Natael wrote on 2025-02-11, 15:51:

as long as Dell didn't lock anything in the BIOS. .........

Dont have to worry about Dell locking anything in Bios but Intel as its an Intel Bios string. I have seen Intel Bios boards lock out processors for whatever reason, unfortunately only way to know is to probably try.

I would have to examine my BX-2 and BX-3 boards but the only way I have been able to tell them apart at quick glance is BX-2 has two isa slots and BX-3 one isa slot. I knew Intel made BX-3 boards for other besides Dell just didnt know whom.

Faster processors might work as I dont think there is any hardware reason they shouldn't just maybe a Bios reason. You may be able to flash the Dell bios but you will replace any booting logo of Intel or Fujitsu with Dell logos. Bios may or not want to flash as it would have a different identifier string but could probably be forced on there if that comes up. There is always the option of using a Bios modding tool to add the support but I have not dabbled in that and dont know that side.

I'm not sure if Fujitsu does anything differently with theirSE440BX-3, but I run a 1.4GHz Celeron in a Dimension XPS T550 that originally shipped with a Katmai. No issues with performance or stability, using the latest Dell BIOS. A Tualatin CPU, the Celeron sits on an FC-PGA2 adaptor attached to a passive slotket configured to request 1.4v from the motherboard. Miraculously, considering the age of the machine, this all works just fine!

The BIOS doesn't exactly know what a Tualatin is, so it reports a Pentium Pro running at 1.2GHz. However, CPU-Z shows the processor running at the correct speed (1440 MHz; I was able to nudge the bus up to 103 MHz via software). Benchmark results are exactly where one would expect a slightly overclocked Celeron-1400 to be.

I can confirm that a PIII-1000 also works. The BIOS does know about this one, and so correctly reports a Pentium III running @ 1GHz. 133 MHz FSB chips are also accepted; they simply run at a reduced speed.

Standard Def Steve wrote on 2025-02-11, 18:39:

I'm not sure if Fujitsu does anything differently with theirSE440BX-3, but I run a 1.4GHz Celeron in a Dimension XPS T550 that originally shipped with a Katmai. No issues with performance or stability, using the latest Dell BIOS. A Tualatin CPU, the Celeron sits on an FC-PGA2 adaptor attached to a passive slotket configured to request 1.4v from the motherboard. Miraculously, considering the age of the machine, this all works just fine!

The BIOS doesn't exactly know what a Tualatin is, so it reports a Pentium Pro running at 1.2GHz. However, CPU-Z shows the processor running at the correct speed (1440 MHz; I was able to nudge the bus up to 103 MHz via software). Benchmark results are exactly where one would expect a slightly overclocked Celeron-1400 to be.

I can confirm that a PIII-1000 also works. The BIOS does know about this one, and so correctly reports a Pentium III running @ 1GHz. 133 MHz FSB chips are also accepted; they simply run at a reduced speed.

Yeah that's what I'm thinking. My Dell tower also came with a 450mhz Katmai and it know it works just fine with the Coppermines.
I don't have a Tualatin compatible slocket, but I'm not surprised that it handles it as well. I don't think the BX-3 boards are really any different than the BX-2 boards other than ISA slots.

I would like to thank you all for your fast and thorough answers.

It's good to know there seems to be plenty of options to improve my system when I decide to do so. Yesterday I came across a thread about slotkets... my god, it's amazing the amount of info there 🤣

Regards,

Manel

Grem Five wrote on 2025-02-11, 17:45:

Jasin Natael wrote on 2025-02-11, 15:51:

as long as Dell didn't lock anything in the BIOS. .........

Faster processors might work as I dont think there is any hardware reason they shouldn't just maybe a Bios reason. You may be able to flash the Dell bios but you will replace any booting logo of Intel or Fujitsu with Dell logos. Bios may or not want to flash as it would have a different identifier string but could probably be forced on there if that comes up. There is always the option of using a Bios modding tool to add the support but I have not dabbled in that and dont know that side.

I've got a Dell GX1 system with 440BX board (yep, proprietary one) and since BIOS version A08 all CPUs clocked higher 600MHz are in black list, the system refuses to POST. You need to flash A07 or earlier BIOS version.
I mean the Dell BIOS even for another system series may cointain some restrictions in CPU support so I will think twice before flashing it.

Hi,

I've just bought a PIII 700/256/100 fcpga processor, 1.65V. I want to install it via a slotket adapter but, after reading some related threads here at Vogons, I still have some doubts about the process...

My Intel SE440BX-3 board has a SC1185ACSW voltage controller chip which, in theory, could provide a voltage as low as 1.35V, so this particular processor would be in the range. Am I right?

If I buy a PPGA (not FCPGA) slotket with 66/100 FSB support and auto voltage (no jumpers to manually select voltage) what does it imply ? Would the voltage be automatically selected by the motherboard?
I've done a lot of research about my motherboard and haven't been able to find any link to BIOS updates at intel website (via Wayback Machine) although I have found references to my particular BIOS version (4S4EB2X1.86A.0020.P08) here so I know I won't have the chance to update the BIOS... I also don't know whether an FCPGA processor will run via a Slotket adapter on my motherboard. I'm thinking about the worst things that could happen... could the processor, the slotket or the motherboard be damaged according your experience?

Thanks in advance,

Manel.

beltrixx wrote on 2025-02-24, 21:59:

My Intel SE440BX-3 board has a SC1185ACSW voltage controller chip which, in theory, could provide a voltage as low as 1.35V, so this particular processor would be in the range. Am I right?

If I buy a PPGA (not FCPGA) slotket with 66/100 FSB support and auto voltage (no jumpers to manually select voltage) what does it imply ? Would the voltage be automatically selected by the motherboard?

Yes, the SC1185ACSW supports the full range of voltages 1.3v >3.5v.

PPGA slotkets will almost certainly only work with Mendocino Celeron cpu's 300MHz >533MHz. You need an FCPGA slotket for your 700MHz Coppermine cpu.

PARKE wrote on 2025-02-25, 11:15:

beltrixx wrote on 2025-02-24, 21:59:

My Intel SE440BX-3 board has a SC1185ACSW voltage controller chip which, in theory, could provide a voltage as low as 1.35V, so this particular processor would be in the range. Am I right?

If I buy a PPGA (not FCPGA) slotket with 66/100 FSB support and auto voltage (no jumpers to manually select voltage) what does it imply ? Would the voltage be automatically selected by the motherboard?

Yes, the SC1185ACSW supports the full range of voltages 1.3v >3.5v.

PPGA slotkets will almost certainly only work with Mendocino Celeron cpu's 300MHz >533MHz. You need an FCPGA slotket for your 700MHz Coppermine cpu.

Hi Parke,

Thanks a lot for your reply. Now I know I must search specifically for fc-pga slotkets as I would like to try with Coppermine PIII and/or Celerons.

So, in theory an fc-pga slotket with 100 MHz and auto voltage should be enough. Right?

Regards,

Manel.

PARKE wrote on 2025-02-25, 11:15:

beltrixx wrote on 2025-02-24, 21:59:

My Intel SE440BX-3 board has a SC1185ACSW voltage controller chip which, in theory, could provide a voltage as low as 1.35V, so this particular processor would be in the range. Am I right?

If I buy a PPGA (not FCPGA) slotket with 66/100 FSB support and auto voltage (no jumpers to manually select voltage) what does it imply ? Would the voltage be automatically selected by the motherboard?

Yes, the SC1185ACSW supports the full range of voltages 1.3v >3.5v.

PPGA slotkets will almost certainly only work with Mendocino Celeron cpu's 300MHz >533MHz. You need an FCPGA slotket for your 700MHz Coppermine cpu.

Hi Parke,

Thanks a lot for your reply. Now I know I must search specifically for fc-pga slotkets as I would like to try with Coppermine PIII and/or Celerons.

So, in theory an fc-pga slotket with 100 MHz FSB support and auto voltage should be enough. Right?

Regards,

Manel.

beltrixx wrote on 2025-02-25, 11:42:

So, in theory an fc-pga slotket with 100 MHz FSB support and auto voltage should be enough. Right?

Yes, that should work... in theory.

PARKE wrote on 2025-02-25, 12:11:

beltrixx wrote on 2025-02-25, 11:42:

So, in theory an fc-pga slotket with 100 MHz FSB support and auto voltage should be enough. Right?

Yes, that should work... in theory.

I acquired a couple used "370 CPU" slokets and a couple processors : a Pentium III 700/256/100 1.65V and a Celeron 950/128/100 1.75V. Both are detected by BIOS as "To be announced" 700 MHz.

The first one runs fine and is correctly detected by CPU-Z once WinXP it's up and running but the second one causes a BSOD if I try to boot Windows XP... Unfortunately I haven't been able to find BIOS updates for my motherboard, so I'm afraid max processor supported must be, perhaps, a Pentium III 800/256/100 which I read it was the max. processor allowed for an Intel SE440BX-2 which is pretty similar to my SE440BX-3 motherboard.

However I am happy with the update : from a 500 MHz slot 1 PIII to a 700 MHz FC-PGA PIII. Thanks everybody for your advices!

Standard Def Steve wrote on 2025-02-11, 18:39:

I'm not sure if Fujitsu does anything differently with theirSE440BX-3, but I run a 1.4GHz Celeron in a Dimension XPS T550 that originally shipped with a Katmai. No issues with performance or stability, using the latest Dell BIOS. A Tualatin CPU, the Celeron sits on an FC-PGA2 adaptor attached to a passive slotket configured to request 1.4v from the motherboard. Miraculously, considering the age of the machine, this all works just fine!

The BIOS doesn't exactly know what a Tualatin is, so it reports a Pentium Pro running at 1.2GHz. However, CPU-Z shows the processor running at the correct speed (1440 MHz; I was able to nudge the bus up to 103 MHz via software). Benchmark results are exactly where one would expect a slightly overclocked Celeron-1400 to be.

I can confirm that a PIII-1000 also works. The BIOS does know about this one, and so correctly reports a Pentium III running @ 1GHz. 133 MHz FSB chips are also accepted; they simply run at a reduced speed.

I have an identical setup to this.

Dell SE440BX-3 with an Aopen FC-PGA slotket and a pin modded 1.4ghz Celeron Tualatin

My BIOS does a beep code when booting; 1 long beep followed by 3 fast beeps.

Ultimately, it boots fine. I can get to the Windows 98 desktop and the system functions fine. BIOS reports it as an Intel Pentium Pro at 1.2ghz but CPUZ show the correct processor.

Do you get that 1-3 beep code as well before the BIOS posts?

The fixer in me wants to find what’s wrong despite it booting without issue.

beltrixx wrote on 2025-03-13, 18:52:

PARKE wrote on 2025-02-25, 12:11:

I acquired a couple used "370 CPU" slokets and a couple processors : a Pentium III 700/256/100 1.65V and a Celeron 950/128/100 1.75V. Both are detected by BIOS as "To be announced" 700 MHz.

The first one runs fine and is correctly detected by CPU-Z once WinXP it's up and running but the second one causes a BSOD if I try to boot Windows XP...

Have you tried to swap the slotkets ? Maybe one of them is more stable than the other.