Upgrade Processor

[ggomes5]

Im looking into upgrading my CPU. Right now I have a Intel Pentium 4 1.6 Ghz processor. I don't know much that more about it. Is there anyway I can find out more information about my processor and what would be compatible with my motherboard? Also, has anyone here changed processors? Is it easy? I have some experience in tweaking with computers but nothing like this.

Thanks All.

[hockey man]

CPU swapping is not too hard to do. The hardest part is getting the heatsink and fan off. For upgrading your CPU we need to know what MOBO chipset you have. You could open her up and look inside for that. Or is it is a store bought machine, tell us the make and model. And Welcome!

[ggomes5]

Thanks. Its a Dell Dimension 4300. I can open it up if I need to look at my mobo, but where do I look?

[saphalline]

Worst-case scenario, your max CPU speed is 2GHz. Best-case scenario, your max CPU speed is 3.06GHz. That gives you an idea of the range you have.

To find some critical info about your system, download and run Belarc Advisor (http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html). It's free and it will make an HTML profile for your system. All sorts of info there, but pay close attention to the "Processor" info and the "Main Circuit Board".

[ggomes5]

Saphalline:

I ran Belarc advisor as you suggested...

My mobo is:
Board: Dell Computer Corporation Dimension 4300
Bus Clock: 100 megahertz
BIOS: Dell Computer Corporation A02 09/10/2001

The Processor:
1.60 gigahertz Intel Pentium 4
8 kilobyte primary memory cache
256 kilobyte secondary memory cache

Thanks Again

[Ace Card Jones]

I thought that Dell didnt let you upgrade your pc yourself but obviously i was wrong.
Why do you want to upgrade your processor anyway?
Is it for games or big programs etc??

[ggomes5]

Ace Card,

I'm upgrading for several reasons. I do play games, and I use some fairly high intensity programs, but nothing too bad. I only have a 128 mb video card. For the most part, I'm just trying to speed up my computer a little bit. I've maxed out the RAM (only 512 mb unfortunately), but I'm trying to get a little more performance without buying a whole new PC.

Any suggestions would be much appreciated.

Thanks

[Ace Card Jones]

Thats weird thats exactly what im doing!(Im also stuck with the 512Mb Ram limit BTW)
Ive also got a 128MB ati radeon graphics card

I was thinking of upgrading to a pentium 4 processor when i get the money (im stuck on pentium III at the moment)and if good old momaboard will allow it!LOL

[ggomes5]

Yeah I was just reading your thread on the other board...

[hockey man]

Here (http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/dim4300/specs.htm#1101572) is a link to Dell's listing of your tech specs. It says you have a Intel 845 chipset; which is socket 478. You have a 250 Watt PSU, and AGP 4X. According to their site you can use :"Intel® Pentium® 4 microprocessor that runs at 1.50, 1.60, 1.70, 1.80, 1.90, or 2.0 GHz. . ." I'm not familiar with all this old technology, so see what Saphalline recommends.

[saphalline]

Oh boy, you're gonna have problems finding an old Northwood A, and by the looks of things your platform isn't that great anyway. Maxing out your mobo to a 2GHz P4 won't get you a whole lot of performance boost. I'm guessing maybe a 5% boost in games and 10% in Windows and office apps. Considering you would probably pay $150 or so for the CPU upgrade, that kind of performance increase won't be worth it. I recommend at least a 50% boost in CPU performance in order for a CPU upgrade to be worthwhile. You can only go 25%, and even then you've maxed out your RAM.

Have you thought about a new PC or core upgrade? :p ;)

[ggomes5]

I have thought about replacing the mobo and processor, but I wanted to see if I could get anything out of my existing setup. How difficult is a core replacement?

Again, thanks for your help.

[saphalline]

How difficult is a core replacement?Well... I won't lie to you, it's pretty darn difficult. You have to replace a lot of hardware (be able to install and configure a mobo w/CPU) and back-up all your data because changing the mobo requires you to reinstall Windows. It's a lot of work. But that's the most cost-effective upgrade path for you.

On the other hand, you could also just buy a new computer if you're not up to the task of a core upgrade. That would also be a better way to spend money.

Either way, upgrading the CPU in your current computer wouldn't really be worth it.

[ggomes5]

Thanks for all of your help!

Im pretty sure that I could physically install the motherboard, but I am not sure about configuring the motherboard and BIOS. I'll probably look into other options. Thanks all!

[hockey man]

Don't be scared to build! If you have questions people here can help. . .that's our favorite thing to do! If you want us to throw some options out to you, give us a budget and we can do that.