Celeron vs. Core 2 duo E7400

You will definately see a difference but the cpu only handles half the gaming. You would need a decent video card. What types of games do you play?
 
I play BF2, Portal, Half life, and some others. I recently installed a Nvidia GeForce 210 512mb DDR2 and it seems to work quite well. My other question is, will I have to update my BIOS? Currently it says DELL - 42302e31
Phoenix - AwardBIOS v6.00PG would this work with the new cpu?

Thanks again,
Andy
 
You have to flash the BIOS to the new version, if you just downloaded it, then it hasn't been loaded yet.

Is it just a .exe file?
 
It ran, installed, and restarted. I did notice a new "Inspiron" logo appear at startup. I believe it is installed. Am I correct?

Thanks,
Andy
 
The BIOS version is displayed in the black start up screen of my system when my RAM is being tested. If your system displays the same screen during start up press the "Pause/Break" key during your startup and write down what BIOS version is being displayed on the screen.

The Core 2 Duo E7400 has about three times more processing power over the Celeron you have in your present system.
 
One last question... Will the Fan/Heatsink over the current Celeron work with the new Core 2 Duo cpu? Or will I have to buy that also?

Thanks,
Andy
 
If you buy the retail version, the heatsink/fan will come with it. If you bought just the processor, I would buy an aftermarket heatsink.
 
I cant seem to find a package that includes the heatsink/fan for the E7400.. Are they starting to stop selling them?

Thanks,
Andy
 
Should I be catious buying used CPU's? Should I buy a new one for around $120 and use the stock fan/heatsink?

Much appreciated,
Andy
 
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Is your current heatsink a screw on or one that gets latched to the cpu? If it gets latched, I would get the one from amazon in the link you posted.
 
Not sure if that dell you have has standard mobo and front panel connections are not. Usually that the usb/panel connections in one connector instead of separate ones. If its one connector then it won't work on the new motherboard.
 
Not sure if that dell you have has standard mobo and front panel connections are not. Usually that the usb/panel connections in one connector instead of separate ones. If its one connector then it won't work on the new motherboard.
In my experience with Dells, they usually don't have standard MoBos or standard heatsinks. That's why a stock Intel sink probably won't work on your Dell. I would just get an OEM CPU, and use the Dell heatsink. They're usually pretty good.
 
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