 SU.HARDW.PC.CPU (2:5020/299)  SU.HARDW.PC.CPU 
 From : Tema Ershov                         2:5000/7.33     Mon 16 Sep 96 08:22 
 Subj : Pentium FAQ [1/5]                                                       

                Hi, All!

,  pp襭 㢠 pp   %㡦.  WWW譠
p ⥫ p  ⥪  pp   :)
- 뫪 p襭 (  - OverDrive(r) processors). -
饭 pאַ  ⥪, pp - CPU markings :)

*** H p⢮  p⥭ -   p pp :) ⮬ ⠥
() Intel ;)

⠪:
============================================================

       PENTIUM(r) PROCESSOR FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

URL: http://pentium.intel.com/procs/support/faqs/ppfaqx2.htm
 : 11--96
____________________________________________________________

Q1:  What versions of the Pentium(r) processor are currently
     available?
Q2:  I  have  heard  about  upcoming  faster versions of the
     Pentium(r) processor. Is this true?
Q3:  I have heard that 75 and 90 MHz versions of the Pentium
     processor will soon be discontinued. Is this true?
Q4:  What  is  the  P55C? Is it shipping yet? Is it the same
     thing as the Pentium(r) processor?
Q5:  Is the Pentium(r) processor a 64-bit processor?
Q6:  What   are  the   relationships  between  the  internal
     processor  core,  external  processor  bus  and PCI bus
     frequencies in a Pentium(r) processor system?
Q7:  How  does  the  Pentium(r) processor  set its  internal
     operating frequency?
Q8:  I  have  a  100 MHz  Pentium(r)  processor.   Should  I
     configure it in 2x core/bus(100/50 MHz),or 1.5x (100/66
     MHz) mode?
Q9:  What  do  the  markings  on  the  top  and bottom of my
     processor mean?
Q10: What    voltage    ranges    are    supported    on
     Pentium(r) processor?
Q11: I     would    like    to   know  what voltage range my
     Pentium(r) processor requires. How do I determine this?
Q12: What is a stepping?
Q13: I have bought a Pentium(r) processor system but some of
     my software identifies it as a 486. Should I return it?
Q14: I think  my  version of  the Pentium(r) processor might
     have the floating-point flaw. What do I do?
Q15: How do I get the CPUID program?
Q16: I'm going to exchange my Pentium(r)processor containing
     the  FDIV  flaw. Can I pay some extra money and upgrade
     processors during the exchange?
Q17: I would  like to know the maximum rated frequency of my
     processor.  Will  Intel's CPUID (or any other software)
     program give me this info?
Q18: I am developing a program of my own and I would like to
     include   a  processor  identification  routine.  Can I
     obtain the CPUID source code?
Q19: I  have   a  60 or 66 MHz  version  of  the  Pentium(r)
     processor. I'm interested in upgrading this processors;
     is there an OverDrive(r) processor  available  for  me,
     or can I upgrade to a 90 or 100 MHz part?
Q20: Is  there  any detailed technical documentation (or the
     pinout) on the Pentium(r) processor?
Q21: I  have  heard about something called the Specification
     Update. What is this?
Q22: I  have a 75  MHz  or faster Pentium(r) processor-based
     system. Will my motherboard support a faster version of
     the Pentium(r) processor?
Q23: What are the differences between Socket 5 and Socket 7?
     Which  future  versions  of the Pentium(r) processor go
     into each?
Q24: What is the gold square on top of my Pentium processor?
Q25: My  BIOS   tells  me  that I have an "S" version of the
     Pentium processor. What does this mean?
Q26: I heard about a mobile Pentium processor. What is this?

============================================================

Q1:  What versions of the Pentium(r) processor are currently
     available?

     The  Pentium processor is available in various versions
     from  60 MHz up to 200 MHz. The 60- and 66-MHz versions
     are  5  volt  product, while 75 Mhz and faster versions
     operate  at  approximately  3.3  volts.  We  also  have
     various Pentium(r) OverDrive(r) processors.
     Pentium(r) OverDrive(r) processors which  upgrade   the
     Intel486(r) processors are available in  63  and 83 MHz
     versions; Pentium(r)OverDrive(r)processors   are   also
     available    which    upgrade    75    through   100MHz
     Pentium(r)  processors.

------------------------------------------------------------
Q2:  I  have  heard  about  upcoming  faster versions of the
     Pentium processor. Is this true?

     On   June   10,1996,   we   introduced   the   200  MHz
     Pentium(r) processor. We haven't yet announced what the
     highest frequency of the Pentium processor will be.

------------------------------------------------------------
Q3:  I  have  heard  that  75  and  90  MHz  versions of the
     Pentium(r) processor will soon be discontinued. Is this
     true?

     No.  At  this time we have no formal plans to eliminate
     these products. However the market is in the process of
     adopting faster Pentium processors.

------------------------------------------------------------
Q4:  What  is  the  P55C? Is it shipping yet? Is it the same
     thing as the Pentium processor that is now available?

         The  P55C  is  an  upcoming  version of the Pentium
     processor that incorporates multi-media features in the
     processor  core.  These  features  will  be  the  first
     significant  enhancements  to  the  Intel  Architecture
     instruction set since the Intel386 processor. We're not
     currently shipping any such product.
         The  200  MHz version of the Pentium processor that
     we  recently  announced  is based on the same processor
     core   present  in  the  75  MHz  to  166  MHz  Pentium
     processors.

------------------------------------------------------------
Q5:  Is the Pentium processor a 64-bit processor?

         No  it  is  a  32-bit  processor.  One  of  the key
     features  of  a  processor  is the width of its general
     purpose  registers,  and on the Pentium processor these
     registers  are 32 bits. One point that sometimes causes
     confusion  is  that  the  Pentium  processor,  like the
     Pentium(r)Pro  processor,  has  a  64-bit wide external
     data bus.

------------------------------------------------------------
Q6:  What   are   the  relationships  between  the  internal
     processor   core   frequency,  external  processor  bus
     frequency,   and  PCI  bus  frequencies  in  a  Pentium
     processor system?

     Here is a list of bus frequencies for current versions,
     in MHz:

       Core       External      PCI
       200           66         33
       166           66         33
       150           60         30
       133           66         33
       120           60         30
       100           66         33
       90            60         30
       75            50         25
       66            66         33
       60            60         30

------------------------------------------------------------
Q7:  How   does   the  Pentium(r) processor set its internal
     operating frequency?

         The  system  supplies  the external clock frequency
     which also functions as the external bus frequency that
     the processor uses to communicate with the system. What
     the   Pentium   processor  does  internally  with  this
     frequency  depends  on  which  version  it  is. 60- and
     66-Mhz  Pentium  processors  operate  internally at the
     same  frequency  as  the  external  bus frequency. 3.3V
     Pentium  processors  input  this frequency and internal
     circuitry  multiplies it. Depending on which version of
     the  Pentium  processor,  the available multipliers are
     1.5x,  2x  and  2.5x. These multipliers are selected as
     the  processor  is  powered  on,  by the setting of two
     external hardware pins (BF0 and BF1).

------------------------------------------------------------
Q8:  I  have a 100 MHz Pentium processor. Should I configure
     it  in  2x  core/bus  (100/50 MHz) mode or 1.5x (100/66
     MHz)?

         You will get better performance operating this part
     with a 66 MHz external bus. However it is possible that
     memory  wait  state settings may need to be adjusted to
     account for operation at 66 MHz.

------------------------------------------------------------
Q9:  What  do  the  markings  on  the  top  and bottom of my
     processor mean?

[covered in P5_MARK.TXT]

------------------------------------------------------------
Q10: What     voltage     ranges     are     supported    on
     Pentium(r) processors?

         There   are   different  voltage  ranges  required,
     depending  upon  which  Pentium processor you have. The
     ranges are:

     STD:  The  VCC  specification for the C2 and subsequent
           steppings  of  the  Pentium  processor  is  VCC =
           3.135V  to  3.6V.  The  voltage  range for B-step
           parts  remains  at  3.135V-3.465V.  Note that all
           E0-step production parts are standard voltage.
     VR:   This is  a reduced voltage specification that has
           the range of 3.300V-3.465V
     VRE/MD:  These parts have a reduced and shifted voltage
           specification.  The VRE voltage range for the C2
           and subsequent steppings of the Pentium processor
           is  VCC  = 3.40-3.60V.  The VRE voltage range for
           B-step parts remains at 3.45-3.60V.
     MD:   Standard voltage  specification, but with reduced
           minimum valid timings.

------------------------------------------------------------
Q11: I   would    like    to  know  what  voltage  range  my
     Pentium(r) processor requires. How do I determine this?

[covered in P5_STEPS.TXT]

------------------------------------------------------------
Q12: What is a stepping?

         The  first  version of a new microprocessor product
     is  the  A-0 step; later as we make improvements to the
     product  for  functional  (bug)  fixes or manufacturing
     improvements  we  will  increase  the  stepping number.
     Generally   speaking,   minor   changes  result  in  an
     increased  number, (i.e. A-3 to A-4) while more complex
     changes result in the letter being changed.(i.e. A-3 to
     B-0).
         If  you  would  like  to know which stepping of the
     Pentium(r)processor you have, the CPUID utility program
     will   report   this  information.  Each  manufacturing
     stepping  has a unique stepping ID which can be read by
     the CPUID program. See the answer in question #15 below
     to determine which version you should use.

------------------------------------------------------------
Q13: I have bought a Pentium processor system but some of my
     software identifies it as a 486. Should I return it?

         No  it  is  very  likely  that  there  is a Pentium
     processor  in  your  system.  The  software is probably
     mis-identifying  your processor. Older software written
     before  the  Pentium  processor  was introduced will do
     this,  and  there  are  several  known cases of popular
     software  applications  that  do  mis-identify  Pentium
     processors.
         If  you would like to verify that your processor is
     indeed  a  Pentium  processor, you should use our CPUID
     utility program to do this.

------------------------------------------------------------
Q14: I  think my version of the Pentium processor might have
     the floating-point flaw. What do I do?

         Please  visit our Pentium(r) processor web page for
     more  information  on  the  floating-point flaw. If you
     believe  that  your  processor may contain the flaw and
     you  are  interested in getting it replaced, you should
     verify  presence  or  absence  of  the  flaw. Our CPUID
     utility will perform this function for you.
         If, for some reason, you don't have access to CPUID
     (see  below  for  obtaining  it)  you can still use the
     package  markings  on  the  top  and/or  bottom  of the
     processor  package  to find out if the flaw is present.
     Write  email  to  support@cs.intel.com and include your
     package markings, we'll tell you if the flaw is present
     or not.

------------------------------------------------------------
Q15: How do I get the CPUID program?

         The utility, CPUID, will identify the type of Intel
     Microprocessor  your PC contains. It will also tell you
     whether  or  not  your  Pentium(r)  processor  has  the
     floating point divide flaw. There are two versions. The
     Feb 1996 version of CPUID (CPUID.exe) is in English and
     has   been   updated  to  recognize  the  Pentium(r)Pro
     processor.  The  May 1995 version ($CPUID.exe) supports
     English,  German,  Spanish,  French, Italian, Dutch and
     Swedish   languages.   It   does   not   recognize  the
     Pentium(r)Pro.
         Installation   instructions  are  included  in  the
     Readme.txt  or Readme.exe contained within the archive.
     You  should  save to a temp directory (C:\Temp) or to a
     floppy disk.

------------------------------------------------------------
Q16: I   am   going   to  be getting my Pentium(r) processor
     containing  the  FDIV  flaw  exchanged.  Can I pay some
     extra money and upgrade processors during the exchange,
     thereby receiving a faster version in return?

         No  sorry we do not have any policy for doing this.
     Also this is often not technically feasible for various
     reasons.  For example, a system may be designed only to
     accommodate  the frequency of a specific processor, and
     trying  a  faster  part can cause significant damage to
     that  system,  even if it works temporarily, as well as
     voiding  the system's warranty. In some cases it is not
     even  possible,  as  75  MHz and faster versions of the
     Pentium(r) processor are not pin compatible with 60 and
     66 MHz versions.

------------------------------------------------------------
Q17: I  would like to know the maximum rated frequency of my
     processor.  Will  Intel's CPUID (or any other software)
     program give me this information?

         No.  CPUID  will  determine  if  a  processor  is a
     Genuine  Intel  product as well as the processor family
     (Pentium    Pro   processor,   Pentium   processor   or
     Intel486(r)processor), the model (ie. 3.3 or 5V Pentium
     processor),   and   the   stepping  (version).  If  the
     processor  being  tested  is the Pentium processor then
     CPUID  will  determine  if  the well-known FDIV flaw is
     present.  However  CPUID  cannot  determine the maximum
     allowable frequency for a processor as this information
     is not stored anywhere inside the product.
         There  are  a  variety  of  software programs which
     determine,  with varying accuracy, the frequency that a
     processor  is currently operating at. Note that this is
     differerent  than  the  maximum  Intel  rated frequency
     for  the  product.  We  can't vouch for the accuracy of
     these  programs  as they come from independent software
     vendors.  However,  like  CPUID, none of these programs
     can  read  the  maximum  allowable  frequency  at which
     Intel rates a processor to operate.

------------------------------------------------------------
Q18: I am developing a program of my own and I would like to
     include   a  processor  identification  routine.  Can I
     obtain the CPUID source code?

         We  do  not distribute this electronically. However
     we  do  have an Application Note, AP-485, which details
     use  of  the CPUID instruction and provides recommended
     assembly  code.  The  order number for this document is
     241618.

------------------------------------------------------------
Q19: I have a 60 or 66 MHz version of the Pentium processor.
     I'm interested in upgrading this processor; is there an
     OverDrive(r) processor  available  for  me,  or  can  I
     upgrade to a 90 or 100 MHz part?

         We   have  the  120/133  MHz  Pentium(r)  OverDrive
     processor available which is designed to upgrade 60 MHz
     Pentium(r)  processors  to 120 MHz and 66MHz Pentium(r)
     processors  to  133 MHz. We recommend checking with the
     system manufacturer to determine compatibility.

------------------------------------------------------------
Q20: Is  there  any detailed technical documentation (or the
     pinout) on the Pentium processor?

         The   official   specification   of the  Pentium(r)
     processor  is contained in the Pentium processor Family
     Developer's Manual, which is a 3-volume set written for
     the  experienced  design  engineer.  Volume  1  is  the
     hardware   reference   (241428),   volume  2  details a
     high-end L2 cache solution (241429) and volume 3 is the
     programmer's  reference  (241430).  Remember that these
     manuals   are   written   for  the  experienced  design
     engineer.
         Document 241997 is the datasheet. This doesn't give
     complete  design-in  information  but does have partial
     information  such  as the pinout, pin descriptions, AC,
     DC and thermal specifications.

------------------------------------------------------------
Q21: I  have  heard about something called the Specification
     Update. What is this?

         This    complements    the    official    processor
     specifications.  Specification Updates contains general
     information   on   package   markings   and  steppings,
     specification   changes,   errata   and   documentation
     changes.  Currently Specification Updates are available
     for   both   the  Pentium  processor  and  Pentium  Pro
     processors. For the Pentium processor, the order number
     is  242480  while  the order number for the Pentium Pro
     processor Specification Update is 242689. By calling us
     at (800) 879-4683 you may order either single copies or
     a subscription to the Specification Update.

------------------------------------------------------------
Q22: I  have  a  75 MHz or faster Pentium(r) processor-based
     system. Will my motherboard support a faster version of
     the Pentium processor?

         Your  board  may support a faster standard OEM (Non
     OverDrive) version of the Pentium(r)processor. However,
     the  answer  really depends on your motherboard design.
     Some  motherboards  will  support faster processors and
     others  will  not. Check with your board manual or your
     system dealer to determine this.
         We   also  have  OverDrive(r)processors  which  are
     designed  to upgrade  slower  Pentium(r) processors. We
     recommend  checking  with  the  system  manufacturer to
     determine compatibility.

------------------------------------------------------------
Q23: What are the differences between Socket 5 and Socket 7?
     Which  future versions of  the  Pentium(r) processor go
     into each?

         Socket  5  is the upgrade socket for 75 MHz through
     120 MHz Pentium(r) processor-based systems. Socket 7 is
     the  upgrade socket for 133 MHz Pentium processor-based
     systems.  Socket  7  is  a  superset  of  Socket  5 and
     supports  a faster OverDrive(r) processor versus Socket
     5.  End  users should consult their system manufacturer
     on  the  support  for  OverDrive  Processor upgrades in
     their systems.

------------------------------------------------------------
Q24: What is the gold square on top of my Pentium processor?

         That is the heat spreader, which is present on some
     versions of both the 5V and 3.3V Pentium processors. It
     is  there  to  help  dissipate  heat  generated  by the
     processor.  Some  Pentium  processors  don't have this,
     since  it  was removed beginning with the C-step of the
     3.3V product.

------------------------------------------------------------
Q25: My   BIOS  tells  me  that I have an "S" version of the
     Pentium processor. What does this mean?

         Primarily  the  "S"  means  that  you have an Award
     BIOS.  The  background  is  that  a  few  years  ago we
     introduced  the "S" series of the Intel486(r)processor;
     this   series  of  processors  included  advanced  "SL"
     enhanced  power management features. These features are
     also  available  on  versions of the Pentium processor.
     Award  BIOS  recognizes  the presence of these features
     and  accordingly  prints  the  "S"  to  your monitor at
     boot-up  time.  To  date, we haven't heard of any other
     BIOS vendor which reports this.

------------------------------------------------------------
Q26: I  heard  about  a mobile Pentium(r) processor. What is
     this?

         We do have mobile versions of the Pentium processor
     which  are designed specifically for laptop or notebook
     systems. Currently we offer mobile Pentium(r)processors
     from  75  to  133  MHz.  These  products offer the same
     architecture  as the Pentium processor but have several
     unique features.
         Although   the  standard  version  of  the  Pentium
     processor  can  be  designed into a laptop or notebook,
     there  are  several  advantages  to  using  the  mobile
     version.  Lower power means longer battery life. Better
     thermal   specifications  allow  operation  in  tightly
     enclosed laptop cases with no airflow.
============================================================


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