5700 Ultra, a mistake?

[Keysplayr]

You would notice phenominal differences if you went to a 2.53 533/fsb. Video framerates included. Your 5700U is starving right now. Your CPU is the bottleneck as anyone would agree with todays video cards.

 

[SneakyStuff]

So AGP4X isn't that big a bottleneck? It's my processor?

 

[Keysplayr]

Your 5700U or even a 5950Uultra cant even fully saturate AGP4x let alone 8x. 8x AGP was a pure marketing gimmick to sell more motherboards. I lie not... Your CPU is most definitely your bottleneck. Anyone else want to chime in here?

 

[Keysplayr]

Newegg.com has a P4 2.66/533 for 166.00. Just FYI.

 

[SneakyStuff]

Well haha to think, I was considering buying the creativelabs T4500 speaker system and a new desk, but I think i'll make due with my 2.1 system and my rambo desk setup in favor of a faster CPU, haha the only problem is that out of all that Christmas moola 55 of it is in bestbuy giftcards! oh well, 155 dollars cash should be enough for a processor, now my concerns turn to installing. I worry that the retail CPU heatsink might not fit into the DELL fan sheathe

 

[modedepe]

Any new p4 with 512kb cache should be much faster than that old willy. Your cpu is definitely the bottleneck right now. As for installing the new one, couldn't you simply resuse your current hsf?

 

[Keysplayr]

Not to worry. Willamette processors threw off a lot of heat so Dell had to put a decent heat sink on them. You can use the existing heatsink that your using now on the new 2.53/2.66 CPU. Northwoods throw off some heat too but not like the Willamettes. My bet is, as long as you dont overclock (and you cant because its a Dell) you wont have any problems using the Dell factory heatsink on the new CPU. Make sure you buy some thermal paste as well. The Dell heatsink may or may not have a heat transfer sticky pad on it. Otherwise it will have heat transfer compound which you will need to reapply when you change CPU's.

 

[SneakyStuff]

Couldn't I just use the retail heatsink? and if not, how do i go about removing the heatsink on my current card, this is one subject i am NOT very knowledgable about.

 

[Keysplayr]

It should just lift right off when you flip the release lever which should be green in color. And no you cant use the intel hsf without removing the Dell factoryretaining mechanism designed just for their heatsinks. I wouldnt recommend doing that. Look at it this way, your machine will not be any louder than it is now by using the factory Dell setup. Some say its actually more efficient at removing heat than intel hsf's.

 

[SneakyStuff]

so what you are telling me is that my heatsink on my CPU now is NOT secured by anything more than a green lever and to remove it all i gotta do is remove the CPU? and THEN reuse the heatsink on my new CPU?

 

[Keysplayr]

Ok, its in this order:

Open your case and find that green air duct and remove it. (should have release tabs on it)

Then, look for the (usually green) color lever that when flipped loosens the tension on the heatsink so you can lift it off.

Look underneath the heatsink to see if there is either thermal paste (usually white) or a sticky pad (usually dark gray) there.

If there is a sticky pad, you dont have to do anything. If there is white thermal paste, wipe it off and apply a new VERY THIN film in the same
area that the old stuff was.

Then theres the CPU. There should be a small silver metal (or tan plastic) lever that when flipped, will release the CPU.

Lift the CPU straight up so as not to bend any pins (gently now).

take your new CPU and look at the pins. You will notice that there are some pins missing from one of the corners. Match that up to the CPU socket and gently ease it in.

After the CPU is resting in its socket, press down gently on the center of the CPU and throw that little silver (or tan plastic) lever back to the lock position.

Place the Dell factory heatsing ( not the retail heatsink fan combo) on to the CPU and throw the green lever to lock it.

Replace the green duct.

close your case and boot up.

You should be good to go.

"WHEW"

 

[Keysplayr]

I would print this out actually ^

 

[SneakyStuff]

Copied and Pasted! I'll be sure to save that tidbit. I can't thank you enough, Instead of the speaker/desk I am now prolly going to get either a 2.4 / 2.53/ or 2/66 MHz P4 now. You are prolly right, i'm smuthering the rest of my system over here with my current CPU, I'll just upgrade and sell the one im using now on ebay. Once again thank you very much you have been very informative.

 

[Keysplayr]

Your very welcome. Have Fun.

:beer:

Keys