upgrading older P4 - how high can I go?

[dboy]

Here at work we've got a Compaq Evo SFF system that currently has a P4 1.7 (williamette, 400 FSB, socket 478). We need to upgrade, but aren't sure how high we can go. Compaq's site lists procs up to 2.0 for this system - what are the odds a 2.4, 2.6, or 2.8 400fsb P4 would work? It's a goofy proprietary mobo, so there's no info available on it nor are there firmware updates...

I'd love to get a new machine entirely, but this one is running some instruments and moving the software and interfaces over would require a vendor visit and weeks of downtime

 

[3chordcharlie]

Is the listed 2gh processor still a willamette?

If so don't bother.

Even a 2ghz northwood would probably be worthwhile if you're totally cpu-bound though. Have you called compaq?

 

[ryan256]

I think this 2.4GHz cpu is going to be the fastest one that will work in your machine. I'm kinda in the same boat. My current machine is a P4 1.8, but I'm using an Intel D850 board.

 

[dboy]

Yes, the 2.0 listed at compaq is still a williamette. I don't plan on buying from compaq - they want almost $400 for that proc!

I've found the 2.6 400fsb for around $140 online and that's what I'm leaning towards...

 

[stevty2889]

Originally posted by: dboy
Yes, the 2.0 listed at compaq is still a williamette. I don't plan on buying from compaq - they want almost $400 for that proc!

I've found the 2.6 400fsb for around $140 online and that's what I'm leaning towards...

It may not support northwoods at all, even if you could find a 2ghz williamette, it wouldn't make much differance, not really worth upgrading if you can't put in a northwood.