Another retro HW piece – small PC 2022.11.07 at 10:41

I noticed that retro hardware posts are also read by foreign readers, so to make it easier, this time writing in English. Ok, what do we have today 😋:

It seems to be some dedicated PC with markings:

APLUS-LECT-CM16-A
CEL1007-098452

LECTRA
Ref fab: APLUS-LECT-CM16-A
Code article: PCAPLUS/CM16
Indice technique: A

Wrote those, so Internet search engines would find them as text and index the information for someone who might search the same information. The form factor of the PC is not standard, box most probably is custom made (can still see the lines left by bending press).

Here we see the internal structure – Mini-ITX motherboard with PCI port raiser and RAM, fancy power supply, HDD and fan. The interesting thing about this PC is that it has many RS-232 ports – four ports are routed the back panel and I think there are one or two connectors on the motherboard for more RS-232 ports. This makes this PC perfect for controlling multiple RS-232 devices, for example, 3D printers, plotters, CNC and so on. Otherwise, it’s not really a retro HW, but because of multiple RS-232 ports it deserves to be here.

This motherboard combines old technology and new technology, for example it has the Parallel ATA (both normal size and small 44 pin connectors) and SATA connectors for HDD, could have also TPM module and LVDS connector and controller (missing on this motherboard – controller should be under the CMOS battery and LVDS connector on the left side).

The two Gigabit controllers Realtek RTL8110SC, drivers are here. LPC port controller (including all other of the IC functions) Winbond W83697HG, which is the same as W83697HF, but is pb-free.

The bottom part of the motherboard. We can see that there is a solder place for CF card connector.

The motherboard is KINO-6612, quick installation guide is here.

As quick installation manual has a lot of information on jumper settings and other things, I am not going into details here, but you might want to read it. Also, the full manual but for LVDS version of this motherboard is here. Both manuals will be handy, when we start upgrading this PC to the max.

The main processor:

Intel Celeron M 380 processor, SL8MN, clocked at 1,6 GHz in mPGA479M socket.

North bridge SIS661CX, notice, how much thermal paste it had 😅. And SIS964 IC as South bridge. And the diagram, indicating who is who and what does what 😆:

Some markings on the motherboard for easy identification:

00DE026-01-120-RS
KINO-6612-R12 REV: 1.2
94552202019 I410 19
ICP-KINO-6612-R12

First thing – PC cleaned, put a decent amount of thermal paste on the chipset radiator (yes, using the same Thermal Grizzly). And we will continue with installing new processor, max RAM and SATA SSD. Most probably, this PC will run Windows XP, or maybe Windows 98 SE. Not yet decided.

After reading the manual, I found, that best supported processor is Intel® Pentium® M Processor 780, 2M Cache, 2.26 GHz, 533 MHz FSB, SL7VB. Comparison with current processor:

Intel® Product Specification Comparison    
Intel® Celeron® M Processor 380 Intel® Pentium® M Processor 780
Essentials    
Product Collection Legacy Intel® Celeron® Processor Legacy Intel® Pentium® Processor
Vertical Segment Mobile Mobile
Processor Number 380 780
Status Discontinued Discontinued
Lithography 90 nm 90 nm
     
Performance Specifications    
Total Cores 1 1
Processor Base Frequency 1.60 GHz 2.26 GHz
Cache 1 MB L2 Cache 2 MB L2 Cache
Bus Speed 400 MHz 533 MHz
FSB Parity No No
TDP 21 W 27 W
Scenario Design Power (SDP) 0 W  
VID Voltage Range 1.004V-1.292V 1.260V-1.404V
     
Supplemental Information    
Embedded Options Available No No
     
Memory Specifications    
Physical Address Extensions 32-bit 32-bit
ECC Memory Supported No No
     
Package Specifications    
Sockets Supported PPGA478 H-PBGA479 PPGA478 H-PBGA479
TJUNCTION 100°C 100°C
Package Size 35mm x 35mm 35mm x 35mm
Processing Die Size 87 mm2 87 mm2
# of Processing Die Transistors 144 million 144 million
     
Advanced Technologies    
Intel® Turbo Boost Technology No No
Intel® Hyper-Threading Technology No No
Intel® Virtualization Technology (VT-x) No No
Intel® 64 No No
Instruction Set 32-bit 32-bit
Idle States No No
Enhanced Intel SpeedStep® Technology No Yes
Intel® Demand Based Switching No No
     
Security & Reliability    
Intel® Trusted Execution Technology No No
Execute Disable Bit Yes Yes

The processors, old and new:

Digital beauty! Also, 2x1GB RAM already installed.

First run, to test if CPU and RAM are working successful. BIOS shows some information, but the BIOS battery is dead, will have to be replaced. Also – when turned on the PC, thought that Boeing 747 is taking off nearby – the sound of the fans is very loud. CPU fan has ball bearings, so will try to replace those if possible, if not – the fan will have to be replaced, together with case and PSU fans.

Ordered some new bearings, dimensions 2 (hole) x 5 (outside) x 2,5 (height) mm, but while waiting for bearings lets search for suitable replacement of the fans. First – chassis fan, original KDE1206PTV1.MS.AF.GN is obsolete and not supplied anymore, so suitable replacement could be MF60251V1-1000U-G99 by the same manufacturer Sunon. Differencies:

  • Current rating 0,14 A → 0,075 A
  • Power 1,7 W → 0,9 W (sometimes fan control circuit doesn’t like less wattage)
  • Fan efficiency 39,93 m3/h → 39,72 m3/h
  • Noise level 33,5 dBA → 27 dBA

All the other thins are the same or not important if different (like cable length 290 mm vs 300 mm). In fact the fan will be much better – less power consumption and noise at the same air volume and ventilation level. Unless the control circuit will indicate fan malfunction, if current will be different than expected 0,14A. In that case – I’ll just replace the bearings and use original fan.

Reminder of the original fan schematics and charts:

Next – CPU fan. Original R125010BH (50 x 50 x 10 mm). Choosing the replacement fan we have to consider, that we just installed the most powerful processor for this motherboard, so maybe we would like to have a bit more powerful fan. And I chose . Differences:

  • Depth 10 mm → 15 mm (we have plenty of space, so 5 mm higher fan – no problem)
  • Airflow 10 CFM (17 m3/h) → 12,9 CFM (22 m3/h) (good, more air – better cooling)
  • 30,1 dBA → 23 dBA
  • 3 W → 1,8 W

So again, more air volume, less power consumption and noise. But the fan is higher, so we might need to adjust its mounting holes or screws (they will be too short).

PSU fan by ADDA CORP. model AD0412HB-D50, specification:

Substitute – Delta Electronics AFB0412HHB. Comparison:

  • Current 0,12 A → 0,13 A
  • Power 1,44 W → 1,56 W
  • Speed 8000 RPM → 8300 RPM
  • Air flow 9,2 CFM → 11,48 CFM
  • Pressure 0,287″ → 0,359″
  • Noise 39,3 dBA → 32 dBA

So, at a little bit more power consumption we still win at air flow and noise 😋, nice.

To be continued.

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