NightShadowPT wrote on 2024-06-15, 09:49:

Hi, […]
Show full quote

Hi,

I have a Pentium 60 on the way to upgrade my Compaq Deskpro M and would like to know if the Pentium 60 requires a fan, or if it will work only with the Heatsink?

Note: I have a large fan that is circulating air through the area where the processor will be, but I'm looking to understand if they also need a CPU fan, or if this will be enough?

Thanks

My Pentium 60 just had a giant passive heatsink on it, and it worked for years.

Hi,

The heatsink seems to be larger than the processor (saying seems because I haven't received it yet), but I have attached a couple of photos from the seller that can help with the heatsink questions.

As for the location, I have attached a picture (Compaq Deskpro M Top View Marked) to illustrate:

The computer is a Desktop, not a tower
The board with the Yellow arrow will be replaced by the new processor board
The new processor is located on the opposite side of the board, so it will be facing the top of the picture
The memory board I highlighted in blue will be removed (as the memory for the P60 comes with the board).
Cable management is not an issue (there are no cables there), but there is also not much space - I do have vent holes in the front, next to where the processor will be though

Thanks for your participation in this discussion.

Doesn't look like a socket 4 heatsink to me, they don't have their clips in a straight line...

I recently bought an mobo with this p200 mmx...

I fear it will melt...

jmarsh wrote on 2024-06-18, 09:17:

Doesn't look like a socket 4 heatsink to me, they don't have their clips in a straight line...

Sorry, I should have explained better.

The computer is a Compaq Deskpro/M (the M is for Modular), an enterprise grade EISA PC released by Compaq with an innovative (for the time) system that would allow users to upgrade the computer by simply switching a few boards.

This allowed for the system to be upgraded from a 386 up to a Pentium.

The flipside, is that the hardware is pretty much bespoke 😀

Here's a photo of the Processor board:

My P60 has quite huge heatsink (Box). It runs very hot for 10 years without any issue.

Is that a Gateway 2000 motherboard? If so, could you take a picture of the backside of the board around the Dallas RTC chip? My board has damaged traces from removing the RTC a few times and I want to fix it.

IMO, the rule of thumb with retro parts is, when in doubt — do overkill cooling. I put fans even on CPUs that are famous for running very cool, like C3 or MediaGX (granted, it's a lot simpler for them, as any Soc7/Soc370 cooler will fit).

And yeah, like others said, P60 runs notoriously hot.

jheronimus wrote on 2024-06-19, 09:38:

IMO, the rule of thumb with retro parts is, when in doubt — do overkill cooling. I put fans even on CPUs that are famous for running very cool, like C3 or MediaGX (granted, it's a lot simpler for them, as any Soc7/Soc370 cooler will fit).

That's my rule of thumb as well. Processors from the 486 DX2-66 and up get a fan.

And with modern quiet fans, adding extra cooling isn't an issue when it comes to noise.

To be honest I would most probably make sure to add a fan (I did it with my 486 DX2 on this same case), but still wanted to understand if it was "required" for normal operation.

On a different subject, now that I look at the photos, it seems the clamps for the heatsink will clamp directly into the sides of the CPU? (that's scary 😁)

Depending on the airflow situation in your case a Pentium will need a fan in most cases.

I'm not sure how the situation is with a Pentium 75 because:
It is a newer process
It has lower voltage
It just has 50 MHz FSB
It primary was for mobile usage
It consumes much less power

But a Pentium 60? You'd better use a fan!

Edit: P75 FSB

Unknown_K wrote on 2024-06-19, 09:04:

Is that a Gateway 2000 motherboard? If so, could you take a picture of the backside of the board around the Dallas RTC chip? My board has damaged traces from removing the RTC a few times and I want to fix it.

Motherboard was from Optimus P60,. I Did trade that board year ago, but i still have some photos around Dallas chip, but only frontside.

Bummer damage is on the backside.

Unknown_K wrote on 2024-06-19, 09:04:

Is that a Gateway 2000 motherboard? If so, could you take a picture of the backside of the board around the Dallas RTC chip? My board has damaged traces from removing the RTC a few times and I want to fix it.

isn't that just a bog-standard batman's revenge board? high-res pics of the backside of that board are easily found: https://theretroweb.com/motherboards/s/intel- … atman-s-revenge

Disruptor wrote on 2024-06-19, 18:06:

I'm not sure how the situation is with a Pentium 75 because: It is a newer process It has lower voltage It just has 25 MHz FSB I […]
Show full quote

I'm not sure how the situation is with a Pentium 75 because:
It is a newer process
It has lower voltage
It just has 25 MHz FSB
It primary was for mobile usage
It consumes much less power

50 mhz fsb actually, and these pentium 75s were definitely plenty out there in desktops, for instance with cacheless unupgradeable zappa boards. i think of those setups as basically DX4/100 alternatives. and yes, any flavor of pentium will by default need at least some kind of airflow if you want stability. the best case for passive operation would be an underclocked 350nm part on a (later) board that lets you undervolt, while still supporting the 50mhz fsb, i suppose...