Advice needed about new processor for a Dell 4600 machine.

[Euripides]

I am looking to upgrade from my 2.4 GHz 800Mhz FSB to a 3.2Ghz from Newegg.com. I have a Dell 4600 computer and would like to know will this chip from Newegg work in the machine with no issues.

Thanks

Here is link and specs

http://www.newegg.com/app/View...=19-116-172&depa=1

Intel Pentium 4/ 3.2E GHz 800MHz FSB, 1MB L2 Cache, Hyper Threading Technology - Retail

Model# BX80546PG3200E
Item # N82E16819116172
Specification
Model: Intel Pentium 4 w/ Hyper Threading Technology
Core: Prescott
Operating Frequency: 3.2GHz
FSB: 800MHz
Cache: L1/12K+16K; L2/1MB
Voltage: 1.25V-1.525V
Process: 0.09Micron
Socket: Socket 478
Multimedia Instruction: MMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3
Warranty: 3-year MFG
Packaging: Retail(with Heatsink and Fan)

 

[BigBadBiologist]

You may want to check if the dell can support prescott CPUs. To be safe, you could go with a Northwood core CPU.

 

[Gumby84]

Go with the Northwood core, better temperatures and better performance.

 

[LTC8K6]

That's the only question. Prescott or not? If the 4600 is old, it likely won't support Prescott. Maybe you can tell from the notes on any BIOS upgrades Dell offers?

Go with a Northwood 3.2C if you can't find out about Prescott support. The performance difference between C and E P4's is not worth worrying about, despite the impressive sounding 1MB cache on the Prescott.

 

[Euripides]

Thanks for the answers.

Newegg wants $250 for a Northwood chip so maybe I should wait for a Dell hot deal and just get a whole new system for $400-$500 with DDR2 ram and a 3.2GHz chip. Then splurge for a nice PCIe video card.

 

[clarkey01]

Northwood over Prescott . I wish they just have tweaked the core, gave it a die shrink and carried it on, still would have been behind the K'8.