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February 3, 2000
AMD Athlon
Processor Quick Reference FAQ
Installation of Your Motherboard
Q.
Are there any special requirements for installing my approved ATX motherboard
A.
No. There are no special requirements for installing your ATX motherboard, but
the following recommendations will help enable proper installation:
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Perform a dry-run installation of the motherboard into the case without the
AMD Athlon processor or memory installed. Get familiar with how each com-
ponent positions itself and where the standoffs will fit.
If possible, install the processor module in the motherboard before installing
the motherboard in the PC case. Place the motherboard on a softer surface like
foam from the box or cardboard during this process. This is not possible with
some cases where you cannot install the motherboard with the processor mod-
ule on it due to power supply clearance or other problems.
Do not plug the power supply into a wall outlet until all the components have
been installed and cables are attached. This is because there is power in the
system as soon as it is plugged into the wall, even when the power switch is
turned off.
If there is not a heatsink support on the motherboard, install the heatsink sup-
port that is supplied with the AMD Athlon Processor-in-a-Box.
Do not install the motherboard in the case with memory installed. You may
damage the components when installing the standoff screws.
Use as many of the mounting postholes in your motherboard as possible. If you
cannot use all the mounting holes in the motherboard, place non-metal spacers
between the bottom of the motherboard and the case (of the same size as a
standoff) to take up the slack.
Do not over-tighten the metal standoffs into the computer case.
Do not over-tighten the metal screws that fit into the metal standoffs.
Do not use screws for the metal standoffs that are the same size or larger than
the solder ring around the mounting hole in the motherboard. (This could lead
to damaging or shorting out of your motherboard.)
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Using UDMA/66 (ATA-66) or UDMA/33 (ATA-33) Devices
Q.
Can the AMD Athlon processor-based systems be used with UDMA/66 (ATA-66)
devices (i.e. hard drives)