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128-pin L2 Cache Modules

Introduction
Compatible Cache Sources
Installing and Removing Cache
L2 Cache Module Types
Module IDs and Compatibility
Cache Error 0129090x
Connector Pinout
Documentation

Introduction

The 128-pin L2 cache modules are used by the following 486-era IBM and Reply planars:

• IBM PS/2 Model 85 K/N
• IBM PS/2 Models 76/77 i/s with the Lacuna Planar
• Reply PowerBoard 50/70
• Reply PowerBoard 55 (pads only, not populated)
• Reply PowerBoard 56/57
• Reply PowerBoard 60/65/80
• Olivetti M6-520/540/560 (planar made by Reply)
• IBM PC720
• IBM ValuePoint 2

These modules integrate not only the cache SRAM chips but also the cache controller logic. Modules of different types (Write-Through and/or Write-Back) and sizes (128 and 256 KB) are available. While at first glance these cache modules may look similar to the "standard" COAST ("Cache On A STick") modules used in later Pentium systems, they are in fact very different and totally incompatible.

Note: Even though all these 128-pin modules share the same physical and electrical interface, only some of them are actually supported by the PS/2 systems. There are several aspects that potentially limit the compatibility. Namely - the processor support logic, system firmware (POST/BIOS), and also the type of the installed CPU.

There has been a number of efforts to deduce the proper choice of WT/WB with certain processors. But if you search the newsgroup, some boards work one way, then move the CPU and cache to another board, and it bombs. Whatever works for you...

Installing and Removing Cache

Installing Cache Module Note the notch on the bottom of the module on the corner. Now, look at the cache socket. There's a white plastic latch on one end of the slot. Insert the cache module so that the notch is towards the latch. Removing Cache Module If you want to remove the cache module, pull up on the white latch (it's a captive part!) until the notched corner of the cache module is pushed out of the socket. The module is released now and can be removed by hand.

Note: While there is enough space in the 9585 K/N unit to unlatch the module with just your fingers, the Lacuna-based machines are much more cramped so it can be difficult to reach the tab and pull it. To make the job easier, just sneak a small screwdriver, drill bit, or what have you under the latch and then pull on both ends of it to release the latch.

L2 Cache Module Types

Cypress 128 KB WT/WB L2 Cache P/N 06H3306, FRU 06H3306

OKI M30S0210-033, 06H3148 Cache Controller
CY7C185 8Kx8 CMOS SRAM
CY7C193 32Kx8 Synchronous SRAM
CP3932AT PLL?

Shipped with some Lacuna-based models 76/77 i/s.
WB mode compatible only with the 33 MHz Lacuna.
WB mode not compatible with 85 K/N (clock timing issues?).

Cypress 256 KB WT/WB L2 Cache P/N 82G6938, FRU 06H3307

OKI M30S0210-033, 06H3148 Cache Controller
CY7C193 32Kx8 Synchronous SRAM
CY7C199 32Kx8 Static RAM
CS3936AT
CP3932AT PLL?

IDT 128 KB WT L2 Cache 7MP6104 (datasheet)

Fairchild CG24512 Cache Controller
74FCT162373 16-bit Latches
71B74 8Kx8 BiCMOS Cache Tag
71589 32Kx9 CMOS, Burst Mode 486

IDT 256 KB WB L2 Cache 7MP6150

IDT 79M1001A Cache Controller/State Machine
71B74 8Kx8 BiCMOS Cache Tag
71589 32Kx9 CMOS, Burst Mode 486
74FCT88915 PLL Clock Generator

IDT 256 KB WB LC Cache 7MP6108

IDT 79M1001A Cache Controller/State Machine
MC88915FN70 Low Skew PLL driver
SRAM chips not marked, probably the same as on the 7MP6150 module (or equivalent).

Shipped with the Model 85 N.
Compatible with the 33 MHz Lacuna-based systems.

Sony 128 KB L2 WT/WB Cache FRU 39H0865, P/N 39H0864, P/N 85G4865

CXK784861Q-33 (AQ-33) 80G5454 "Sony Cache-1C" - Single-chip Cache Subsystem

This "Super Cache" module is shipped with the Japanese PC720.
Compatible with the Lacuna-based systems (33 MHz both WT/WB, 25 MHz WT only).

Compatible Cache Sources

From Aron Eisenpress (edited):
   The Lacuna cache modules physically fit the ValuePoint 2 (VP2) systems - namely the 6382/S, 6384/D, and 6387/T.
   Not the 6384's with 30-pin SIMMs, which are so-called ValuePoint 1 (VP1) systems, nor the Pentium 60 models, nor the Si or "Performance" models.

Here are the IDT modules I know about:

• 7MP6104: 128 KB WT for Lacuna
• 7MP6107: 128 KB WB for VP2; works fine there. (photo)
• 7MP6108: 256 KB WB for VP2; works fine in WT but not reliable in WB mode. I didn't have a Lacuna to test this in then.
• 7MP6150: 256 KB WB for VP2; seems to work well.
• 7MP6155: 256 KB, I think it's WT. This does not work properly in the VP2 with a CPU faster than a 486DX33, and when I tried it in the 76s it worked but I got a message saying that the copy of the FAT in memory was bad... so I don't think it works properly there either! Maybe the chips are too slow or something. We got these as add-ons at the time we bought a bunch of VP2 DX33's, so I presume they're supposed to work in them.
• 7MP6188: 128 KB WT. Seems to work in the 76s and also in the VP2.
• ? There's another one which is 256 KB WB and worked fine in my 6382/S but I can't seem to find a record of what the number was and I no longer have that system.

Module IDs and Compatibility

The table below is based on information from the IDT datasheets, Technical Reference documents for the Model 76/77 i/s and Server 85 systems, and on observations made by analyzing the system firmware (POST/BIOS).

Please note that there may be some additional conditions affecting what modules are actually compatible with your system - including the timing specs of the module, the type of installed CPU (the table below assumes the original CPU to be present), etc.

Cache Error 0129090x

If a particular module isn't supported by the system, it will report error 0129090x "Cache memory kit is not supported" where x is ID of the installed module. The 85 K/N systems report decimal representation of the 3-bit cache module ID as one would expect. The Lacuna-based machines make things a little bit more confusing by reporting the hexadecimal value of the ID multiplied by 2 (this is because the POST code considers even the presence detect bit when calculating the value). See the table above for the reported IDs [in square brackets].

For example:

• 85 K/N with 128 KB WT/WB module set to WT gives error 01290907
• 25 MHz Lacuna with 128 KB WT/WB module set to WB gives error 01290906

In some cases, the system fails to POST at all, freezes or gets stuck in an infinite restart loop.

Connector Pinout

For description of the individual signals see IDT Specialized Memories and Modules (physical page 1040).

Documentation

Relevant data books:

IDT High-Performance Static RAMs (1992)
IDT Specialized Memories and Modules (1994)
   IDT7MP6104/5 - 128KB/256KB Secondary Cache Module for i486 (page 1027)
   IDT7MP6118/9 - 128KB/256KB Secondary Cache Module for i486 (page 1040)
IDT Specialized Memories and Modules (1993)
   CYM7485 - 128K Write-Through Secondary Cache Module (page 1423)