Pentium D -> Core 2 / Motherboard ??'s

[giantpinkbunnyhead]

Hey guys...

I'm an AMD guy so I don't know jack about Intel stuff. My friend was given a free PC and I haven't ripped into it yet, however a sticker on the case says "Pentium D". Is it true that Pentium D's use the same socket as a Core 2 Duo? If so, would the motherboard inside support a Core 2 Duo, or does it depend on the chipset? How would I find out what chipset this old computer is? FWIW, the old computer is a Dell 8100. Dimension or something? Thanks for any help!

 

[elkinm]

It does depend on the Chipset. The Intel 975 and 965 are Core 2 Duo, and some P945 chipsets also support C2D.

But since this is a Dell, I really think it is a tossup unless you know the exact board. Can you give us the model number and more information, or maybe check at Dell.com for possible upgrade CPUs.

Dell motherboards are cheap so it probably does not support C2D unless it is quite new. There may be a BIOS update to enable C2D support.

 

[Aluvus]

Older boards, even if they are the right socket, will not support Core 2 processors. Dell Dimension 8100 would be too old.

 

[bamacre]

Dimension 8100 doesn't even support Pentium D. That is a skt 478 system, IIRC. Like Pentium IV 1.3Ghz to 2.4Ghz at most, again, IIRC.

Dimensions first started supporting Pentium D with the Dimension 9100, and there was an 8200, 8300, and 8400, so as you can see 8100 is pretty old.

Core 2 Duo support started with their newest models, Dimension 9200 and XPS 410, as well as a mid-range, Dimension E520.

 

[hypeMarked]

How about Dimension 9100? I'm considering to upgrade the cpu as well. When I bought it, I have the option of P4 HT or Pentium D. So I know I can pop in a Pentium D, what what about C2D? Where's the page to see possible upgrade for your Dell system?

Thanks

 

[bamacre]

Originally posted by: hypeMarked
How about Dimension 9100? I'm considering to upgrade the cpu as well. When I bought it, I have the option of P4 HT or Pentium D. So I know I can pop in a Pentium D, what what about C2D? Where's the page to see possible upgrade for your Dell system?

Thanks

Nope, Dim 9100 does not support C2D. Sorry. It will support Pent D 900 series though.

 

[hypeMarked]

Now, would you say there's benefit in upgrading to pentium d from p4 3.0 HT? I wanted to be able to play Supreme Commander smoothly until my next comp. build (8-10months)? I currently have 2.5 gigs of memory and a 8800gts, so I know my cpu is the bottle neck and won't be enough to run Supreme Commander smoothly at high resolutions.