AST RESEARCH, INC.        TECHNICAL BULLETIN # 1685          03/18/97 
 
 
 
TITLE:  CPU Upgrades and Bravo LC
 
 
ISSUE 
 
   The Bravo LC series computers use a Socket 2, 238-pin, 5 volt, 
   LIF (Low Insertion Force) socket for CPU (Central  Processing 
   Unit) installation. Not all CPU chips in this format will work as 
   upgrades.
      
   This issue affects the following systems: 501196, 501197, 501198, 
   501199, 501233, and 501341.    

 
BACKGROUND 
 
   N/A    

 
ACTION 
 
   AST Technical Support tested several commercially available 
   processor upgrade kits. The following two have tested compatible: 
   
      
   Evergreen Technologies produces an upgrade kit as part number 
   248. Kingston Technology produces an upgrade kit as model 
   TC5x86/133. 
      
   These processor upgrade kits come with complete documentation and 
   provide a 40% to 50% performance increase based on upgrading from 
   an Intel 486DX2/66 processor. You may obtain product information 
   and a list of authorized dealers from each company's Web site at 
   the following addresses:
      
          www.evertech.com
      
          www.kingston.com
      
   Each of the upgrade kits include an AMD 5x86-133 processor 
   mounted to a small circuit board. This circuit board supplies the 
   proper CPU voltage and allows the CPU's clock to be properly 
   configured.
      
   To physically install these processor upgrades, refer to the 
   documentation included with the upgrades. 
      
   After the processor circuit board is properly configured and 
   installed, verify/set the system board jumpers. The following 
   chart indicates working jumper settings for the upgrade kits 
   listed above:
      
      Jumper  Status
      
      E9      OFF
      
      E10     ON
      
      E11     ON
      
      E13     ON
      
      E14     2-3
      
      E15     1-2
      
      E16     2-3    

 
NOTES 
 
   Please note that some third-party diagnostics may not report the 
   new processor correctly. This is normal and often occurs when a 
   user installs CPU upgrades in any system.
         
   Bench marking will reveal that performance has increased and the 
   utilities included with the upgrade should provide accurate 
   processor information.
         
   --------------------------------------------------------
   Although the above mentioned components functioned properly in a 
   controlled testing environment, AST can make no guarantees of 
   suitability or compatibility for any specific configuration. The 
   upgrade products mentioned in this bulletin are only examples of 
   third-party products which are currently available to the 
   consumer, and should not be taken as an endorsement of these or 
   any particular brand.
      
   The consumer should verify return policies with any vendor prior 
   to upgrade purchase.
   ---------------------------------------------------------
      
   Intel has determined that their PODP5Vx3 processors are not 
   compatible with these systems.    

 
TAN TPR 353PE 
CK/JW 
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