FM Towns:CPU Upgrade for Desktop Models

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Desktops have a slot to place CPU upgrade cards with some later models requiring the CPU upgrade card to be present as there wasn't a CPU onboard the motherboard.
There was absolutely zero retail software that required anything more powerful than a 486DX2 CPU and the majority of the software was designed for the base 386 models in mind.
The white desktops with 4 expansion slots are optimal as some CPU upgrade cards were taller and designed for them.
The white desktops with 3 expansion slots are shorter and thus more limited on CPU upgrade cards.
The 486DX4 cards for the Towns MX/MA type desktops will work on a smaller desktop (EA/ME). However, you won't be able to close the top lid.
A good rule of thumb is that CPU upgrade cards made by third parties such as Urban Corporation will fit in any desktop while Fujitsu cards were made for specific models.

Spotting cards in auctions

Sometimes sellers on Yahoo Auctions Japan will have the lid taken off of the computer.
This is a good opportunity to see if a CPU card is present or not.
It will also generally raise the price.

  • MX Model with no CPU card present.

    MX Model with no CPU card present.

  • A CPU Card is present in this Fresh ES. Likely a 486DX2.

    A CPU Card is present in this Fresh ES. Likely a 486DX2.


List of CPU Upgrade cards divided by Desktop type

  • FMT-361
    Official Fujitsu Product. For HR desktops only. 486DX2 @ 40MHZ
  • PK-FM486
    By I-O Data Equipment. For HR desktops only. 486DX2 @ 40MHZ
  • (Unknown Model number)
    By SoftBank Corp. For HR desktops only. 486DX2 @ 40MHZ



  • FMT-3621/3621A
    Official Fujitsu Product. For ME desktops only. 486DX2 @ 50MHz



  • FMT-3623
    Official Fujitsu Product. For MA/MX only. 486DX4 @ 100MHz

  • FMT-3622/3622A
    Official Fujitsu Product. For EA/MA/MF/Fresh only. 486DX2 @ 66MHz
  • ODBT486F
    By Urban Corporation. 486DX2 compatible CPU (5V) support. Should fit most desktops except HG/HR
  • ODBT486Z
    By Urban Corporation. The Holy grail and best card as it supports 486DX4 CPU (3.5V) and can use a 5x86 CPU.
    Often sells for $100-300+ on auction. Fits all desktops except HG/HR.
  • ODBT486
    By Urban Corporation. 486SX/DX/DX2 compatible CPU (5V) support

  • FMT-3651
    Official Fujitsu Product. For HA Pentium only. 60mhz.
  • FMT-3652
    Official Fujitsu Product. For HB/HC Pentium only. 90mhz.



In addition, the Pentium models can accept the following CPU upgrades.

  • PentiumODP(120/133MHz)
    For HB Model only. Overdrive processor.
  • PentiumODP(150MHz)
    For HC Model. Overdrive processor.
  • PentiumODP(166MHz)
    For HC Model. Overdrive processor.
  • MMXPentiumODP(166MHz)
    For HC Model.
  • MMXPentiumODP(180MHz)
    For HC Model.


There are also reports of users putting a K6 CPU inside a Pentium HC model.

Good Information

Hota-san has a very good page explaining some of the CPU upgrade cards.

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