P4 UPGRADE CAPABILITY QUESTION

[gROD]

I have a 1.3ghz P4 in my Dell Dimension 8100, and I wish to upgrade to a faster processor. Can I just stick in a faster processor, or must I get an entire new motherboard?

Please advise.

 

[WaTaGuMp]

All you have to do is find out the info about the motherboard in it. If it will support a faster cpu such as a 2.0 2.2 etc etc then it should be fine. Also check to see if the motherboard is for both 400 fsb and 533fsb so you can get the best cpu to go with it. Also if it supports the Northbridge chip or the Willamette then your set to go.

 

[JeffreyLebowski]

2.0GHz is the highest it will take.

 

[JeffreyLebowski]

Text

It's socket 423 so you're limited by that.

 

[Lord Evermore]

Didn't you just ask this?

 

[FishTankX]

You can upgrade to 2.5GHZ via powerleap. Powerleap is a company that makes adapter combos. It'll cost you 50$ over a normal procesor, but atleast there's no change in motherboard.

powerleap P4-N upgrade platform

Edit:tailored for dell

 

[CZroe]

EDIT: Oops, I was a little late. I had to answer the door before posting 🙁 /EDIT

Actually, Powerleap makes an adapter that can bypass the socket 423 limitation, and not just for socket 478 Williamettes! Northwoods in that system (It all depends on the BIOS capabilities) may be possible...

 

[FishTankX]

CZroe:I believe the powerleap upgrade system makes BIOS recognization of the northwood a non issue.

 

[CZroe]

From what I hear, it still has to have some microcode or something (Usually included in all later BIOS updates for certain chipsets). Their compatability list makes it looks pretty likely that it'll work in most systems, but it's still usually a "try and see" kind of thing. The Abit BP6 dual Celeron motherboard BIOS had to have PIII microcode added to it to support PIII CPUs using an older Coppermine adapter of theirs.