VOGONS

Dream Slot-2 Xeon Build

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First post, by SWZSSR

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1. The Beginning - Finding a Motherboard & CPUs

Hey all

I recently got the urge to build a Slot 2 Xeon build.

Had a look on ebay without luck and decided to make a post over at the Aus Vintage facebook group. My friend in interstate reached out and said he knew where one was..

He later contacted me and confirmed its still there inside a Nortel Networks Contivity Extranet Switch 4500. After some time he got a hold of it & dismantled the motherboard, cpus, ram, cards from it and sent some photos.
Lucky score! Intel MS440GX MarlinSpike with matched Pentium 2 450mhz/512k Xeons.

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The parts are currently on the way to me. Next post will be a bang/smoke test & build plans.

Keep you updated

Last edited by SWZSSR on 2026-02-06, 04:57. Edited 2 times in total.

LS486/5x86@180/Banshee/SoundscapeElite/DOS6.22
5TH/Dual233MMX/MGA2164W/Voodoo2/AWE64Gold/NT4.0&W9X
P5A(1.6)/K6-3+550/Ti500/EWS64XL/W9X
CUV266D/Dual1.4TUAL/HD4670AGP/XONAR/XP
780iFTW/QX9650/3x8800U/VISTAx64
Z87/4790K/TITANX/AuzBravura/XPx86

Reply 1 of 3, by Intel486dx33

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If you had a dual CPU computer workstations back in 1990s and Running WinNT you where elite
Very reliable computers.

Reply 2 of 3, by SWZSSR

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UPDATE - Motherboard Arrival & Smoke Test

The motherboard has arrived, packed very well.

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List of what I received.

1x Intel MS440GX (MarlinSpike)
2x Pentium 2 Xeon 450/512/100
4x 256MB PC-100 CL2 ECC Modules

Board

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CPUs with Cooling System\Mounting

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Onto testing it. Used my trusty Enermax PSU with 35amp 5V Rail & 6pin Aux

Posted first shot!

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Will deal with the bios password next

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All good so far. I will clear the bios password and look at flashing the latest P20 Bios

Stay Tuned

Last edited by SWZSSR on 2026-02-06, 04:59. Edited 1 time in total.

LS486/5x86@180/Banshee/SoundscapeElite/DOS6.22
5TH/Dual233MMX/MGA2164W/Voodoo2/AWE64Gold/NT4.0&W9X
P5A(1.6)/K6-3+550/Ti500/EWS64XL/W9X
CUV266D/Dual1.4TUAL/HD4670AGP/XONAR/XP
780iFTW/QX9650/3x8800U/VISTAx64
Z87/4790K/TITANX/AuzBravura/XPx86

Reply 3 of 3, by SWZSSR

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Next Step: The Case

The MS440GX is a large form factor, EATX with a special 4 hole CPU mounting bracket that needs to screw into the motherboard tray. I could just use nuts and washers on the rear of the board but I don't want the board to warp in that area.. I'm a perfectionist and this has to be done properly.

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After doing a LOT of research only a few cases actually had support for this.

Inwin Q500 \ Q500N
Industrial 4U Rack Cases
Addtronics 7896A

I have recently spotted a complete Inwin Q500N on Ebay. I'm going to make an offer and see if I can secure it.

LS486/5x86@180/Banshee/SoundscapeElite/DOS6.22
5TH/Dual233MMX/MGA2164W/Voodoo2/AWE64Gold/NT4.0&W9X
P5A(1.6)/K6-3+550/Ti500/EWS64XL/W9X
CUV266D/Dual1.4TUAL/HD4670AGP/XONAR/XP
780iFTW/QX9650/3x8800U/VISTAx64
Z87/4790K/TITANX/AuzBravura/XPx86

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