Processor Compatable?

[dolcevito]

I have a dell 4600 desktop and want to upgrade the processor. On the Dell site I got my specs for the compatible processors:

Microprocessor type
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

Level 1 (L1) cache
8 KB first-level

Level 2 (L2) cache
512-KB or 1-MB pipelined-burst, eight-way set associative, write-back SRAM

I'm looking at a P4 Prescott 650 3.4 (really cheap, I know they're supposed to run hot but I thought I could get a good heatsink and fan). It's specs are:


FSB: 800MHz
L1 Cache: 12KB+16KB
L2 Cache: 2MB
Manufacturing Tech: 90 nm
Processors Type: Desktop
Series: Pentium 4
Model #: BX80547PG3400F

I see the only thing that might not be compatible is the Prescott has a 2mb L2 cache and it seems I'm compatible with up to 1Mb, also the L1 cache I'm compatible with is 8kb and the Prescott is 12Kb+16Kb.

There is also an option of a Prescott 541 3.2 that does have 1Mb L2 cache, but the same L1 cache of 12KB+16KB.

Will either or both of these processors be compatible in theory with my motherboard? - Thanks

 

[Atheus]

I can't see how the cache could make a difference, although I've never owned a dell, so I can't say I'm 100% sure... more like 99%

You need to know the socket type.

 

[fire400]

4600's run usually run 478's.

socket 478 Prescotts only hit up 1meg of cache. Unless it's an extreme edition processor, but I don't think that the Prescott class was used to make the EE 478 version. that I could be wrong about.

2meg cache Prescotts are standard for 775's.

I'm more than sure it's socket 478.

You seem to be lookin' at the wrong processor for your computer.

I went from a 2.53 Northwood with 512kb to a 2.8 Prescott with 1mb and HT. Difference... not really. If you're going to spend the extra money, you might as well save up to for a core2 or dirt cheap X2. in all honesty, X2 if you still wanna use your RAM. otherwise if you're going AM2, get core2 instead.

Prescotts are bloody hotter than you think. Dell solutions can handle them well. but I remember having a humugous 3rd party cooler from AC, and man... that Prescott was a beast! I had it paired with 2 gigs of RAM and an X800 though, so it ran games pretty good, but nothing compared to a core2 1.86 with 1GB of RAM and a 1900XT 512mb

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