Another question about processors

wildguy2

wildguy2

New Member
I am trying to beef up my dell desktop and in the process of putting in new ram and a bigger processor. I have got the ram part figured out and ordered and am now in the process of ordering a bigger processor. My machine has a 1.8Ghz intel P4 and the new one I am ordering is a Intel 3.0Ghz P4 800 Mhz will this work with my machine? Or do I have to modify anything to make this work, and if it will work will my computer cooling fan be strong enough or does this have to be upgraded as well. The new processor comes with a cooling fan. Edited to add: The new processor is a prescott.

Below are the specs taking from my machine

CPU(s)
Number of CPUs 1

Name Intel Pentium 4
Code Name Northwood
Specification Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 1.80GHz
Family / Model / Stepping F 2 7
Extended Family / Model 0 0
Brand ID 9
Package mPGA-478
Core Stepping C1
Technology 0.13 µ
Supported Instructions Sets MMX, SSE, SSE2
CPU Clock Speed 1794.2 MHz
Clock multiplier x 18.0
Front Side Bus Frequency 99.7 MHz
Bus Speed 398.7 MHz
L1 Data Cache 8 KBytes, 4-way set associative, 64 Bytes line size
L1 Trace Cache 12 Kµops, 8-way set associative
L2 Cache 512 KBytes, 8-way set associative, 64 Bytes line size
L2 Speed 1794.2 MHz (Full)
L2 Location On Chip
L2 Data Prefetch Logic yes
L2 Bus Width 256 bits

Mainboard and chipset
Motherboard manufacturer Dell Computer Corporation
Motherboard model 07W080, A00
BIOS vendor Mitac International
BIOS revision A01
BIOS release date 12/17/2002
Chipset Intel i845GL rev. B1
Southbridge Intel 82801DB (ICH4) rev. 2

Memory
DRAM Type DDR-SDRAM
DRAM Size 256 MBytes
DRAM Frequency 132.9 MHz
FSB:DRAM 3:4
CAS# Latency 2.5 clocks
RAS# to CAS# 3 clocks
RAS# Precharge 3 clocks
Cycle Time (TRAS) 6 clocks
DRAM Idle Timer 16 clocks
# of memory modules 1
Module 0 Micron Technology DDR-SDRAM PC2100 - 256 MBytes

Software
Windows version Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition Service Pack 2 (Build 2600)
DirectX version 9.0c
 
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You should not get a Prescott, they run sooooo hot....

Or get it, it doesnt matter that much, as long as you are positive your cooling is good.

No OCing, though

Why do you need a new CPU? Just get more RAM to start with, and if it is still too slow, then upgrade the CPU
 
I dont know much about the new P4s, but i was pretty sure the Prescott needs a different kind of m-board than the regular P4s. Someone correct me if I'm wrong though, I wanna know.
 
Well, a 1.2 GHz jump would be nice, but you're really going to need more RAM to take advantage of the CPU speed. Also, like Bobo said, you'll need some good cooling for a Prescott. To answer your question though, yeah it should work.
 
I dont know much about the new P4s, but i was pretty sure the Prescott needs a different kind of m-board than the regular P4s. Someone correct me if I'm wrong though, I wanna know.
Click to expand...
Yeah, you're right. I forgot about that. You'll need a board with an 865 chipset to run anything other than the 3.0A GHz (without hyperthreading)
 
According to the info you have given, your PC can only handle up to 2.5 or 2.8ghz (so prescott is out of the question) i gig of ram (2 x 512) DDR266, honestly its not worth the upgrade. Get a new MOBO that can handle your pressy. :cool:
 
What I am trying to do with this system is make it fast enough to run games. At the present, it will run but very choppy. I am planning on increasing the ram, but I thought that if I increased the ram to it's max that the processor wouldn't handle it, am I correct? I don't want to spend a couple hundred bucks on ram if I can't get all it can give due to the processor. Would jumping from my current 1.8Ghz to a 2+ Ghz make a difference. Any idea roughly how much of a beef up I would need to runs games. If anyone has tried running games such as the Matrix or GTA 3 you know what I mean when I say that with my current config. my machine sounds like it's going to explode.

Need to do something...as of right now all it's really good for is the internet, and basic games.
 
Praetor said:
You sure? It says Northwood.


They do?
Click to expand...

Praetor

My current processor that is listed in the specs from my first post is a northwood 1.8Ghz P4 the one I am looking at buying is a Prescott P4 3.0 Ghz.

Would anyone believe me if I said they are selling these for starting bids of $20.00 US on ebay..from a respected buyer..

What is the going price for a Pentium 4 2.5 to 3.0Ghz processor.
 
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Ah ok. If you're gonna play in the Socket478 arena, avoid Prescott if possible, heat can be a serious pain to contain there (not to mention the NorthwoodCs are far more clockefficient)
 
Praetor, isn't it true that you can't anything above a P4 A in his motherboard being as it has an 845 chipset? I thought you needed an 865 or above for anything better. I just don't want wildguy2 to go out and buy a CPU that won't work in his mobo.
 
I have a 2350 DELL, your 1.8ghz CPU can handle 1gig of RAM coz I upgraded mine and thats the max 2350 DELL can handle, your MOBO is not compatible with PRESCOTT CPU, upgrading your CPU to 2.5-2.8ghz(MAX) is not worth it, might as well buy a new MOBO with room for upgrade, so its better to build a new RIG and salvage whatever hardware you can get from your DELL PC. :cool:
 
I am thinking maybe I should avoid the processor for now just upgrade the ram and see if this helps. My sys will take up to 1Gb of DDR, for running games going all the way up would probably be the best way? Really didn't want to go to far into it and replace the mobo but maybe later I will give it a complete overhaul.

For future reference, are Prescott processors really that bad? And what is a good mobo to buy at a decent price.
 
Pressy are not really that bad, its just that it creates so much heat, but nothing that cannot be remedy, good cooling is the answer. for MOBO, a P4P800 series of MOBO would be a good choice.
 
Yeah, Prescotts basically will run a bit hotter but nothing too bad. Another decent mobo is an Abit IC7 or IC7-G. Joelkyr: is your P4 3.4 a prescott?
 
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