Can VRM10 run VRM11 chips?

[mockingbird]

Many motherboard manufacturers released motherboards with chipsets that had support for Core2 chips but the motherboard didn't, though later released similar models with the upgraded "VRM 11" design.

What exactly did this VRM11 upgrade entail? Does it refer to the maximum wattage the VRM can now handle (TDP)?

Secondly, if it is indeed possible to hack a VRM10 motherboard to run VRM11 chips, would just a microcode update be sufficient for the BIOS, or would something equivalent to AMD's Agesa also be needing an update in the BIOS?

The scenario is that I want to run a Core2 chip in a 945P motherboard that has VRM10 and was designed for Pentium D chips. This should not be confused with 915 boards which are also LGA775 but do not even support Pentium D.

[Th3_uN1Qu3]

Re: Can VRM10 run VRM11 chips?

You should look up some Intel datasheets, i bet it's something similar to the FPGA/FPGA2 thing in the PIII days and it can probably be hacked.

I don't think it has to do with power, Pentium Ds used more power than most Core chips.

[mockingbird]

Re: Can VRM10 run VRM11 chips?

Hmmm, thanks. Do you think it would need some sort of adapter?

[Th3_uN1Qu3]

Re: Can VRM10 run VRM11 chips?

I see that there are 945P boards supporting C2D. I assume you have tried it and yours does not run?

[mockingbird]

Re: Can VRM10 run VRM11 chips?

No, I didn't even try it. I probably should at least update the microcode first.

[mockingbird]

Re: Can VRM10 run VRM11 chips?

To answer my own question:

Yes, but not without some modification (Both pins mod and bios mod):
http://xtreview.com/addcomment-id-27...ainboards.html

http://xtreview.com/addcomment-id-2781-view-How-to-install-core-2-duo-on-old-mainboards.html

In the end Of present year , intel is going to completely stop the deliveries of processors with netBurst architecture , during June ,this year, the processors with core architecture penetrated in the most accessible price segments. There are no special problems from the compatible mainboards side, since budget Brand mastered the production of inexpensive mainboard on the base of old chipsets (which have a power system adapted under Conroe) . However, many as before dream to install the processor core 2 Duo in mainboard, witch are not intended for this processor.

Specifically, differences in the power-supply system did not give to old motherboards support to conroe processors . Processors generation core have special operating voltage table . In any case, a number of successful transformations allow to add support to core 2 duo in old mainboard .

Hardware modification in this case implies to closing contacts on the processor . It is also necessary to adapt the mainboard BIOS , but for these purposes it necessary to use the suitable BIOS.

Here is an example how to install core2Duo on mainboard gigabyte GA-8I945P- G.

Signal VRDSEL, contact AL3. answers for the detection of processor in suitable platform. It must not be connected to the ground,. On old mainboard it is designated as Vss, .
Signals MSID0-MSID1, contacts W 1- V1 respectively. They answer for Market segment selection and in case of Conroe they must be connected to the ground. Accordingly, for mainboard witch do not support the standard power 05V, we connect W 1- V 1- U1, since U1 is nothing else than a Vss.
We connect the contacts AM 1- AM2 AM 3- AM 4- AL 4- AL5 AL 6 AK 4- AK5. This for the connection of VID0- 5 and vss. Thus we set the start up vcore to 1,08 volts .
We connect the contacts D 23- c23. Signal VCCPLL moved from C23 to D23.

The designated by red color contacts must be insulated, and green - locked.

Now u have to find to the suitable bios for your mainboard with core2 support . The author of this review found that the core 2duo will work with bios from GA -8I945P-s3 mainboard.

Certainly new mainboard revision support conroe , search for the newest bios and install it! For example, the mainboard asus P5LD 2 VM, revision 1.03G works with e6600 using BIOS from later revision.


Here is the list of tested mainboards , capable of working with Core 2 Duo using recent bios:

1. Asus P5LD 2 VM rev 1.0 (i945G) , using Bios from Asus P5LD 2 VM rev 2.0

2. Gigabyte GA-8I945P- G (i945) , using Bios from GA -8I945P-s3 (DS3) - all mainboard revisions .


Mainboards, theoretically capable to work with Core2Duo using recent bios:

1. MSI MS-7246 platinum rev 1.0 (i975) , using Bios from MS-7246 powerUp rev 2.0 .

[seanc]

Re: Can VRM10 run VRM11 chips?

Sounds like the P31 chipset which can go no higher than 4GB RAM (says the documentation)

[Th3_uN1Qu3]

Re: Can VRM10 run VRM11 chips?

Mmmmm pin mods.