Unlocking the Athlon 2100

[karkfump]

I would assume that after reading Colin's article on unlocking the 2100 that this is basically going to be a job that is way over the common idiot's (like me) head? Using the Dremel on a CPU certainly sounds radical, have you guys figured out another route yet...or is this the sum of the matter?

[Avid6eek]

Colin is a total fool. put Tape over the rows of bridges leaving just enough space so the burned wholes between the bridges are not covered. Run a small line of super glue down between the two pieces of tape. This fills in the burn holes that sop the pencil trick from being done. Then you use conductive paint to connect the bridges. E Z as that!

[Colin]

karkfump is your AthlonXP 2100+ based on the Palomino core or Thoroughbred?<BR><BR>Shiznit, the reason why the AthlonXP 2100+ is so difficult to unlock is, the L10 bridge is in the wrong position. By default they're like this : | which gives the Palomino core access to multipliers 12.5x and higher. You'll need reverse the L10 (cut one of the bridges) to gain access to the lower multipliers.<BR><BR>After that's done unfortunately the CPU <b>will not</b> POST because the L3 and L4 bridges which the CPU is using are set wrong. The motherboard will not be able to identify the processor if you leave the L3 and L4's like that.<BR><BR>Connecting the L1's only <b>unlock</b> the multiplier so you can change it, but with the XP 2100+ we need to change the multiplier sets that are available and mod the CPU so it can be recognized by the motherboard.<BR><BR>Kinda like how you don't have access to multipliers 5-12.5x without connecting the last L5 bridge...

[Avid6eek]

My bad, Colin is right. That's the CPU that didn't follow the same standard as the other Palaminos.

[Colin]

<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif" border="0"> Yeah score one for the good guys! <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif" border="0">

[Avid6eek]

I should be ashamed....Colin corrected me on an AMD fact....I need to go study more!

[Colin]

<br><br><< <i>I should be ashamed....Colin corrected me on an AMD fact....I need to go study more! </i> >><br><br><img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif" border="0"> Never thought I would hear you say that!

[zaltec]

I was wondering about the 2100 being T-bred based, as one I just picked up IS and that threw me for a loop. Also, as soon as i booted up and went into the BIOS all the multipliers between 5.0 and 18 were available. Is that characteristic of a T-bred? Not that I'm complaining about it.

[Colin]

zaltec welcome to PCStats! <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif" border="0"><BR><BR>Which motherboard are you using? I'm surprised you have access up to an 18x multiplier! <BR><BR>The AthlonXP 2100+ Thoroughbred is multiplier unlocked by default, <b>however</b> you only have access to multipliers between 13-25x. To gain access to the lower multipliers 5-12.5x you'll need to <b>connect</b> the last L5 bridge. Please keep in mind, when/if you do that you will lose the 13-25x multiplier range.<BR><BR>The reason why you have to do this is based on the same concept of the L10 mod that must be done to all Palomino XP 2100+'s.

[kMaN]

How do you know if you have a Palamino or a T dased 2100+ chip?

[Colin]

kMan, download <a target=new class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.cpuid.com/cpuz.php">CPU-Z</a>, it's pretty good it shoudl tell you if your processor is a Palomino or T-Bred. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

[karkfump]

Colin,<BR><BR>Why are some of the XP 2100's Palomino's while others are Thoroughbreds?

[Colin]

karkfump it's only smart business for AMD to introduce their newer at low speeds too! <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif" border="0"> There's still demand for them and it's cheaper for AMD to produce the T-Bred too!

[zaltec]

Soyo KT400. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif" border="0"><BR>Losing the 13-25x mulitipliers won't break my heart, well... unless I upgrade to water or compressor cooling it won't. So far the 2100+ is running at 2158Mhz (2700+ I believe), how good is that? How much more can I expect just on aircooling.

[Colin]

<br><br><< <i>Losing the 13-25x mulitipliers won't break my heart,</i> >><br><br>I didn't think it would. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"> zaltec 2158 out of a XP 2100+ is awesome!!! <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif" border="0"> Did you get an AIUHB stepping? If you got one of those I can see you hitting 2.4 GHz on air. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

[zaltec]

I don't know what steppping it is so I'll take a look.

[Colin]

<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif" border="0"> Kewl!

[zaltec]

Forgot to ask, (he he) how DO I tell what stepping it is? It's green is all I know. I never bothered to examine it any more. <BR>Also, the speed I achieved is with micron pc2100 2x256, 13x multiplier and a 166FSB, it won't go any higher that that, I get a windows protection error at 167FSB. I have a 512 stick of pc3200 from OC systems coming, so hopefully that won't hold me back anymore.

[Colin]

zaltec you have a Thoroughbred right? <BR><BR><img src="http://www.pcstats.com/articleimages/092002/amdxp2400_core.jpg"><BR><BR>Do you see where the above says AIUAB? What does it say on your processor?

[zaltec]

Yup, AIUHB. And it is green, first green Athlon I've seen. Connecting the last L5 will get me access to the lower multipliers. Do I do that the same way, by filling the gap then connecting it with conductive grease or ink?

[Colin]

AIUHB?!? <b>That's AWESOME</b>!!! Yes you connect the last L5 bridge to access the lower multipliers. YOu can fill the gap, but what may be easier for you is to just draw a U between the dots. <BR><BR>zaltec what type of cooling are you using and what voltage did you give your processor? Most ppl with AIUHB can hit 2.5 GHz easy on air! <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-shocked.gif" border="0">

[zaltec]

(don't hit me<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif" border="0">) It came stock with a Thermaltake Volcano 9, which I'm not fond of. I'm looking to get something a little more powerfull, maybe an entirely copper one. And it's just on standard voltage, it hasn't had any problems so I thought to best leave it alone.<BR>I connected the L5 just filled in the gap. Now I can get anywhere from 500Mhz to 2158, haven't tried any higher yet.

[Colin]

Actually zaltec the Volcatno 9 is not a bad budget performance hsf. The fan on that thing is awesome. As for voltage, I would bump that up to 1.75-1.8V, don't worry your CPU can handle it! <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif" border="0">