Is it possible to swap CPU's on the motherboard?

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I have 2 Dell Optiplex Desktop computers. One is a Pentium 4 2.8Ghz and the other is a Celeron (cant remember the Ghz speed right now).

My question is. . . .

Is it possible to simply open up the 2 computer cases and swap the CPU's so I can effectively turn the computer that is now a Celeron into a Pentium computer?

-if so, can you please also tell me, if the CPU's are the only components that need to be swapped or what other components I need to also swap to do this effectively?

(I think there is something wrong with my PSU or motherboard on the computer now housing the Pentium, thus why I want to simply swap the Pentium CPU into the motherboard of the other computer)
 
If they are the same socket CPU's and both motherboards use chipsets compatible with both chips, then yes, it will be possible. However, you'll probably have to reapply the thermalpaste between the CPU and heatsink, as you have to remove the heatsink to remove the CPU.
 
edit: due to some false information i believe the celeron actually uses socket 370 instead of the newer 775 by the pentium 4. but even then the P4 could be in 423 or 478 so the best way would be to actually open up the cases, pop out the procs, and look at them. but i doubt you will be able to swap out the processors.
 
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????

I dont understand. How will I be able to tell if they are the same socket CPU's and both motherboards use chipsets compatible with both chips?

I dont even know what "same socket CPU" means? Is that the number of tiny little metal ball pins on the plastic underside of the CPU that fits into the tightening lever device(that is fixed on the motherboard)with the actual "sockets" where the CPU/plastic pin board goes? and How on earth do I find out if both motherboards use chipsets compatible with both chips? . .(chipsets compatable with both chips?) I dont understand. Whats the difference between chips and chipsets?

As far as the thermalpaste is concerned, I dont think there is any, because I already removed the Pentium CPU, and it came off very easily, with the use of that lever thing I mentioned. I pulled the lever up and the CPU just unlocked from position and I could pick it up with two fingers.

Also the heatsink, which I think is the metal comb-like looking device, also pretty easily came off. It had those green plastic thingy's that you just squeeze to remove and then the heatsink just pretty much jiggled a little and removed. The computers are at my work, so I'd like to take some pictures to better help in this, but I cant do it until tomorrow.

To Impulse666:
What false information are you talking about? How can I tell what socket? number the computer is? Im still not clear as to what exactly the socket number is? Can you explain that or at least tell me how to figure what is the socket number?

Are you saying that if the little metal ball pins on the plastic underside of the CPU match the number of holes(is that the socket?) on the lever device fixed to the motherboard, then I can just swap the CPU's and thats that? I'll take a little closer look at the CPU's tomorrow. So what exactly is that piece of plastic on the underside of the CPU with the metal ball pins that just fits into that lever (socket?)device thats attached on to the motherboard? Is that the socket or just the pin board that fits in to the socket? Ive really got to think about all this. It may look like Ive made a lot of posts, but there almost all just questions.
 
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The CPU socket is, well, they will look different in size, not has the same amount of pin holes, (like socket A, and socket LGA775 has totally different sizes and pin holes for the CPU)
 
Use this program to analyse your system's specifications.

http://www.cpuid.com/pcwizard.php

What this program will do, will tell you what motherboard/processor/ram/hhd/optical drives/graphics cards etc etc are in the system. Once you find that out, post both system specifications, and we'll be able to say wheter you can swap the cpus over or not.
 
Give me another day or two

Please keep this open. Ill download that program and try to figure it out, otherwise I ll have to keep asking questions.
 
it really depends on the two motherboards that you have. In general if a motherboard support a pentium 4, then it will support a celeron from that same socket type and FSB.
 
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