Advice needed for new processor for 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)

 

[HermDogg]

Save us the trouble of looking it up and let us know what kind of Mobo you have in there.

EDIT: So I'm a sucker for anyone with NCOMonkey's icon. Went to Dell's site, supposedly the 4600 supports "Intel® Pentium® 4 that runs at 2.26, 2.4, 2.533, 2.66, 2.8, or 3.06 GHz internally and 533 MHz externally, or 2.4, 2.6, 2.8, 3.0, 3.2, or 3.4 GHz internally and 800 MHz externally" with 512 K or 1Mb L2 cache. However, nowhere does it say it supports HT CPUs, which could be a cause for concern with the processor you mentioned. I do not know enough about Intel's CPUs (I'm an AMD guy) to know if HT can just not be enabled and the processor still work fine. I'd suggest asking in the Processor's forum.

 

[blodhi74]

not likely .... the new CPU is a prescott core .... U might need a BIOS update

 

[stevty2889]

It says it will support cpus with 512k or 1mb L2 cache, so it will support a prescott.

 

[Euripides]

Thanks for the answers.

Newegg wants $250 for a Northwood chip versus $215 for a Prescott 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.

 

[bamacre]

I actually went with a $240 Northwood over the $200 Prescott, same clock speed (3.2ghz). I have no regrets. If you look at some benchies, the Northwoods are slighly better for gaming when compared to Prescotts with the same clock speed. Check around, you can find a 3.2Ghz northwood cheaper than New Egg. Check pricewatch.

 

[helpmeout]

The Dell 4600 does support HT, but not sure if it's on the same MOBO as the 4600 w/o HT. It's really hard to tell about Dell mobo's- they're all proprietary. Go to the Dell Dimension forum and you'll get the info:

<a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://forums.us.dell.com/supportforums?catego
ry.id=dimension">http://forums.us.dell.com/supp...?category.id=dimension</a>

Bamacre-- Your machines on EBay are giving me a guilty conscience. I just sold my Dell 4600, P4 2.40ghz
40GB HD, DVD-rom to a guy the other day for $500, and he drove 60 miles one way from the beach to pick it up. I got lucky, huh.

 

[bamacre]

Originally posted by: helpmeout
The Dell 4600 does support HT, but not sure if it's on the same MOBO as the 4600 w/o HT. It's really hard to tell about Dell mobo's- they're all proprietary. Go to the Dell Dimension forum and you'll get the info:

http://...?category.id=dimension</a>

Bamacre-- Your machines on EBay are giving me a guilty conscience. I just sold my Dell 4600, P4 2.40ghz
40GB HD, DVD-rom to a guy the other day for $500, and he drove 60 miles one way from the beach to pick it up. I got lucky, huh.

Not bad, good deal for you. I have sold only one, an 8400 went for $1010. Just lowed the prices on some of them.

You are right, some 4600's support HT, I have a couple with HT cpu's.

 

[helpmeout]

Now that I think about it, the HT on the 4600 I believe was on comps with 2.60ghz??? and above. The way I remember from a year ago when I bought mine, the HT comp used diff RAM and had a different FSB speed, but don't quote me, LOL. Lots of 4600 users on the Dell site that will tell you.

 

[LTC8K6]

If you look at some benchies, the Northwoods are slighly better for gaming when compared to Prescotts with the same clock speed.

Don't you have that backwards? I am pretty sure I read that the Prescott is noticeably faster at Doom3 than Northwood. Maybe Doom3 likes cache?

 

[bamacre]

Originally posted by: LTC8K6

If you look at some benchies, the Northwoods are slighly better for gaming when compared to Prescotts with the same clock speed.

Don't you have that backwards? I am pretty sure I read that the Prescott is noticeably faster at Doom3 than Northwood. Maybe Doom3 likes cache?

Maybe in Doom 3. I was referring to THIS and THIS.

It's not much, but add in the rumors flying with Prescotts firey heat, and the Northwood looks better, at least IMO.

 

[LTC8K6]

Yeah, sometimes it's just about impossible to kill the "on fire" rumors about Prescott.

Prescott is actually considerably faster at Doom3 according to Anandtech. It is because of the cache.

 

[stevty2889]

I chose to ignore all the silly rumors about prescott, and I am quite happy with mine, 2.8e @3.5ghz on air. Even if a comparible northwood would be technicaly faster, I don't think it would be noticable anyway.