CPU sockets

[pesce]

Are all socket 7 CPU sockets created equal?
I have a failed motherboard with an Intel 166 mHz Pentium (it's Intel model SY045). I'm thinking pick up a replacement system board on eBay with a socket 7 like my old board and move over the Intel CPU chip, SIMMs and AT power supply. I'm thinking upgrade to a system board with socket 7 and SIMM/DIMM sockets, something newer. My Intel model CPU has 296 pins. I've ready on one sellers site about their system board socket 7 takes a CPU with 321 pins. Anyone know about compatibility issues? I figured the socket would be downward compatible. E.g. boards are advertised as being compatible for 133 mhz, 166mhz, 200, 233, etc.

[Lycia]

Are you sure the motherboard you are looking at isn't a Super Socket 7 mothabord?

[Snommis69]

Originally posted by lycia69:
Are you sure the motherboard you are looking at isn't a Super Socket 7 mothabord?

I think he is. Most standard socket 7 boards will only go up to 200Mhz, and few support MMX instructions. But if you really want to use this chip, most super socket 7 boards will fit the bill, too. A socket 7 is a socket 7.

[tablesalt]

A socket7 chip will work in a super socket7 board. The only exception is that some of the older chips 100MHz and lower are not supported anymore, but with most people this is not an issue. When I built my super socket7 system several years back, I started with an Asus P5AB baby AT board, and put a Pentium 166MMX in it. I later pulled this chip and replaced it with a K6-2 300MHz. I have since retired this system but it served me well for several years. So depending on the speed of your current chip, you should be OK to go with the super socket7 board, which is my recomendation if you stay with this platform.