ABIT BP6
Encyclopedia
The ABIT BP6 was the first motherboard to allow for the use of (affordable) Intel Celeron
processors in Symmetric multiprocessing
(SMP) configuration. For this reason (and also for its overclocking
capabilities) it became very popular among computer enthusiasts. The BP6 has therefore been credited as the product that made SMP (a technology previously reserved for high-end workstations or servers) affordable for the masses.
The BP6 was based on the Intel 440BX
chipset (consisting of the 82443BX Northbridge and the 82371AB Southbridge). The chipset was renowned for its stability, performance and overclockability and competed favorably with newer offerings from Intel and other manufacturers for quite a long time.
Processors supported by the BP6 in SMP configuration were the PPGA Socket 370
Celeron chips clocked from 300 to 533 MHz. Later Pentium III
and Celeron Coppermine
models could also operate on the BP6, albeit in uniprocessor configuration or/and with the use of special aftermarket socket adaptors. In fact, getting the Celeron to work in SMP (which Intel never intended to see happen) was quite a hack in itself; the BP6 as a proof-of-concept is speculated to be the main reason that Intel disabled altogether the SMP interface in the subsequent generation of Celerons, keeping the feature only in its higher-end product lines (Pentium III and Xeon
).
The motherboard also featured the two extra HDD ports on Highpoint Tech. HPT366 Ultra DMA/66 adapter fitted on the mainboard itself. In other words you could hook up to 8 HDDs/CD-ROMs (which was only featured in higher-end products) and also get the higher speeds of transfer.
An important feature of the motherboard (and rather novel at the time) was the ABIT SoftMenu BIOS extension which allowed for jumper-less adjustment of system parameters such as system bus speed, CPU & AGP bridge multipliers and voltages from inside the BIOS.
The BP6 and BH6 motherboards are largely credited to the engineer Oskar Wu, who now works for DFI
, a competing motherboard manufacturer.
Legacy and updated BIOS firmware and additional information available at BP6.Com
Tested and working with Windows 7 RC (scores 1.2 for Processor and Memory in the windows experience index - Running Dual 533 Celerons with 512M PC66 Memory)
Celeron
Celeron is a brand name given by Intel Corp. to a number of different x86 computer microprocessor models targeted at budget personal computers....
processors in Symmetric multiprocessing
Symmetric multiprocessing
In computing, symmetric multiprocessing involves a multiprocessor computer hardware architecture where two or more identical processors are connected to a single shared main memory and are controlled by a single OS instance. Most common multiprocessor systems today use an SMP architecture...
(SMP) configuration. For this reason (and also for its overclocking
Overclocking
Overclocking is the process of operating a computer component at a higher clock rate than it was designed for or was specified by the manufacturer, but some manufacturers purposely underclock their components to improve battery life. Many people just overclock or 'rightclock' their hardware to...
capabilities) it became very popular among computer enthusiasts. The BP6 has therefore been credited as the product that made SMP (a technology previously reserved for high-end workstations or servers) affordable for the masses.
The BP6 was based on the Intel 440BX
Intel 440BX
The Intel 440BX , is a chipset from Intel, supporting Pentium II, Pentium III, and Celeron processors. It is also known as the i440BX and was released in April 1998...
chipset (consisting of the 82443BX Northbridge and the 82371AB Southbridge). The chipset was renowned for its stability, performance and overclockability and competed favorably with newer offerings from Intel and other manufacturers for quite a long time.
Processors supported by the BP6 in SMP configuration were the PPGA Socket 370
Socket 370
Socket 370 is a common format of CPU socket first used by Intel for Pentium III and Celeron processors to replace the older Slot 1 CPU interface on personal computers. The "370" refers to the number of pin holes in the socket for CPU pins...
Celeron chips clocked from 300 to 533 MHz. Later Pentium III
Pentium III
The Pentium III brand refers to Intel's 32-bit x86 desktop and mobile microprocessors based on the sixth-generation P6 microarchitecture introduced on February 26, 1999. The brand's initial processors were very similar to the earlier Pentium II-branded microprocessors...
and Celeron Coppermine
Coppermine
Coppermine may mean:* A codename for a Pentium III microprocessor* Coppermine Photo Gallery* Coppermine is the former name of Kugluktuk, Nunavut* Coppermine Herald, one of the heralds at the Canadian Heraldic Authority...
models could also operate on the BP6, albeit in uniprocessor configuration or/and with the use of special aftermarket socket adaptors. In fact, getting the Celeron to work in SMP (which Intel never intended to see happen) was quite a hack in itself; the BP6 as a proof-of-concept is speculated to be the main reason that Intel disabled altogether the SMP interface in the subsequent generation of Celerons, keeping the feature only in its higher-end product lines (Pentium III and Xeon
Xeon
The Xeon is a brand of multiprocessing- or multi-socket-capable x86 microprocessors from Intel Corporation targeted at the non-consumer server, workstation and embedded system markets.-Overview:...
).
The motherboard also featured the two extra HDD ports on Highpoint Tech. HPT366 Ultra DMA/66 adapter fitted on the mainboard itself. In other words you could hook up to 8 HDDs/CD-ROMs (which was only featured in higher-end products) and also get the higher speeds of transfer.
An important feature of the motherboard (and rather novel at the time) was the ABIT SoftMenu BIOS extension which allowed for jumper-less adjustment of system parameters such as system bus speed, CPU & AGP bridge multipliers and voltages from inside the BIOS.
The BP6 and BH6 motherboards are largely credited to the engineer Oskar Wu, who now works for DFI
DFI
DFI, or Diamond Flower Inc., is a major motherboard manufacturer based in Taiwan.-History:DFI was first established in 1981 by Y.C Lu. At that time, DFI began as a graphics card maker with a turnover of 100 cards...
, a competing motherboard manufacturer.
Legacy and updated BIOS firmware and additional information available at BP6.Com
Tested and working with Windows 7 RC (scores 1.2 for Processor and Memory in the windows experience index - Running Dual 533 Celerons with 512M PC66 Memory)