Transition from Athlon to Athlon XP

[aspektratio]

I was recently struck down by the fatality of my Athlon 1.33 Ghz CPU with 266Mhz. Instead of just getting another Tbird, I thought I'd just go ahead and get an XP 1700+ since there's not much price difference. However, I'm concerned about this decision. I haven't updated my BIOS since DFI updated their BIOS to accomodate XP processors, and I'm really having trouble finding someone with a spare CPU so that I can update mine.
So, will the processor work at all with my Socket A mobo (enough to boot to a floppy and flash my BIOS), or will I just have to hold out until I find another Tbird?
All input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

~Aspekt Ratio

 

[SpeedTester]

What motherboard are you using? I know its a DFI but what model number. Also, I think your system would boot
up fine, it might not support the lastest "xp speeds" till you flash the bios thou.

 

[aspektratio]

I've got an AK75-EC. I checked DFI's site, and it said that my board would accept an XP with a BIOS update, but it wasn't overly specific about what it would or wouldn't support without the update.
I think it makes sense that the new processor would function at a lower speed, but I'm not very familiar with the little technical aspects of hardware. So I figured it would be good to make sure.
Anyway, I hope this'll give you a better idea of what I'm dealing with. Thanks!

~Aspekt Ratio

 

[toft-dk]

I second what speedtester said

 

[JokerF15]

The board should work with the athlon xp w/o a bios update. It just won't be shown as an athlon xp. The bios update will recognize the cpu. That's how it worked out for me.

-JokerF15

 

[TimidOCer]

This is why I have a spare 600 duron sitting on my desk not being used... incase my processor ever dies or I upgrade. This duron 600 overclocks to 1038mhz too so its no slouch when it comes to speed either

 

[BeauJangles]

timid - nice o/c you got on that duron

 

[Durron]

I've used the DFI AK75-EC many times (we sell them at work) and they will work fine with your Athlon XP without the bios update. It'll just say the actual mhz rating instead of the PR rating of the XP (So instead of 1700+ it'd say 1.47ghz)

No worries.

 

[aspektratio]

I think I'm gonna get a spare also, but I doubt that I'll be as liberal as timid about oc'ing it
Thanks all!

~Aspekt Ratio