Best Processor for me?

[Locarno]

I would like to upgrade the processor on my Dell XPS R400 (PII-400 MHz). I have a Intel mobo with an "Intel 440BX AGPset" chipset and a 100 MHz bus speed. My motherboard is jumperless and I have no options in my BIOS setup to change the processor speed. The specs say it can handle "350, 400, and 450" MHz processor speeds. Can I upgrade this to a 800, 850, 1000 Coppermine? What are my options?

On an aside, I've seen several sites that offer 1000 MHz PIII's with a 100 MHz bus. I previously thought that this wasn't the case.

Also, some people have told me to upgrade my motherboard and get an AMD. From there, I have to get all new DDR memory, a ATA-133 hard drive, etc... I've gotta stop somewhere. Basically, I'm looking for a $200 or so upgrade to hold me off from buying a new $2000 PC for a few years. Recommendations?

Thanks in advance.

P-Sz

 

[KarsinTheHutt]

Check the Dell website for the latest FlashBIOS updates - the documentation of these BIOSes should say if the new BIOS versions include support for CuMine Pentium IIIs.

I'm on an A09 BIOS on my Dell SE440BX-3 board. Supports processors up to 1200 MHz!. Somehow I don't think 12x100 would afford much performance above a 1 GHz though.

 

[Locarno]

I'm using the A13 BIOS, new as of Sep 1999! This seems to be the only BIOS update available for my system. Is there somewhere I'm not looking? Do I need a BIOS update to go above 450 MHz or what?

P-Sz

 

[xtreme2k]

There is a few issues you need to clear up before you can go for the coppermines.

- Your motherboard/bios must recognise the CPU.
- Your motherboard must supply the correct voltage to the CPU. That is, 1.65-1.75v for coppermines.

If there is a BIOS that dell releases that supports the coppermines, then you can upgrade. If not there is nothing you could do about it. Older BX has problems delivering the 1.65-1.75v. Whether yours is that old, I have no idea. Whether DELL restricted the CPU voltage at 2.00v+, so that they can save a few bucks at the voltage regulators, I have no idea.

 

[Hard_Boiled]

It works, I have the same Dell computer, XPS R400. I heard that it takes coppermines no problem with the A13 bios, but past a P3 750 it has trouble identifying it in the bios screen. For example, I took my P3 850 on a slotket(it works with slotkets!) and plugged it into the Dell. Bios shows it as a Pentium Pro 500? Well I'm sure that despite the incorrect bios display, it runs at 850 MHz. WCPUID showed it correctly and it seemed to be at 850 MHz.

As a matter of fact I'm probably going to buy a new cpu for my main machine and throw this P3 850 into my old Dell, give it a little boost. Probably needs a new hard drive more than anything though, it's got a very old 5400 RPM drive by todays standards.

edit: for a $200 upgrade you should just buy a P3 850, slot 1 form. To go AMD would mean a new case and power supply and motherboard.

 

[MrHelpful]

<< From there, I have to get all new DDR memory, a ATA-133 hard drive, etc... >>


Nope. There are AMD systems that run on PC133 memory (actually most are, DDR AMD boards are pretty new). There is no such thing as an ATA/133 hard drive as of now.

 

[MrHelpful]

I think you can use your old hard drive with new motherboards, unless that's proprietary also. The power supply that might also not provide enough juice for a Pentium III @ 800MHz or above.

 

[Wingznut]

The Dell PS should work just fine for a CuMine.