Why can't you Overclock a Dell computer?

[Jbroad572]

What keeps you from doing it? Just curious.

 

[Lonyo]

They lock the BIOS so you can't change FSB frequency.

 

[Jbroad572]

So you would just what have to buy a new mobo? Or is the Bios in the cpu? I don't know computers too well.

 

[dexvx]

Actually you can overclock with a Dell, its just a pain. Older dells could be overclocked with a program called SoftFSB. Newer dells (P4's) need to have to CPU modified to block a certain pin (its the pin that tells if its 100 or 133FSB).

 

[boyRacer]

They just do that so they won't get rammed with warranty claims.

 

[GonzoDaGr8]

So you would just what have to buy a new mobo?

No off-the-shelf ATX boards will fit in the proprietary DELL case without major modifications. Also, DELL uses a non-standard pinout on their ATX connector.

Or is the Bios in the cpu?

No, it is a seperate chip on the mobo that not only starts your machine in the first place, It is the mediator between your OS and hardware. Pooch the BIOS with a bad flash and PC no starty anymore.

I don't know computers too well.

Then honestly, Overclocking should be a last concern for you for now..Get more familiar with hardware and then later down the road start to experiment.

Why can't you Overclock a Dell computer?

1. Not an option in the BIOS.
2. So they don't get flooded with RMA's when users go overboard and bake something.

 

[DAPUNISHER]

When I tried overclocking with software through windows with a Dell 4550 and input the PLL number it would return a False PLL error and state that the manufacturer didn't enable support for the function.

 

[dexvx]

Originally posted by: GonzoDaGr8

So you would just what have to buy a new mobo?

No off-the-shelf ATX boards will fit in the proprietary DELL case without major modifications. Also, DELL uses a non-standard pinout on their ATX connector.

It uses a standard ATX format with a standard ATX power supply. Older ones used more proprietary hardware. There is no reason to spend R&D to develop a new format when a decent format is out there already, especially on low end desktops.

When I tried overclocking with software through windows with a Dell 4550 and input the PLL number it would return a False PLL error and state that the manufacturer didn't enable support for the function.

I dont think SoftFSB has updates for the 4550 PLL. In any event, it only worked for the older p3 based dells. For the p4's, you would actually need to do some hardware modifications.

 

[DAPUNISHER]

I dont think SoftFSB has updates for the 4550 PLL. In any event, it only worked for the older p3 based dells. For the p4's, you would actually need to do some hardware modifications.

It was CPUcool IIRC and it had the PLL listed but returned the error stated. I believe your right about the hard mod too.

 

[Lord Evermore]

dexvx: there's plenty of reason to spend money developing a new format. It means you can charge customers 3 times the price for a new powersupply when theirs dies and is out of warranty. Doing that probably covers the cost of making a simple new connector layout. And Dell doesn't design the boards, they just buy them from someone else, so they can say "we want the i/o jacks put here, here, and here".

Dell's XPS board uses dual-channel memory, and unlike every motherboard I've seen, they put the two slots used for one channel next to each other (DIMM1 and DIMM2, and 3 and 4) rather than alternating. That's one design that had to be specified to the board maker.

And if you look here: http://docs.us.dell.com/docs/systems/dimxps/en/sm/remove.htm that certainly isn't a standard PSU and connectors (though it seems they provide an adapter in some cases, based on the tech overview). And this: http://docs.us.dell.com/docs/systems/dimxps/en/sm/techov2.jpg certainly doesn't show a standard rear panel (however the I/O shield may be removable, and most motherboards come with one now).


Using a pin jumping trick to adjust the FSB isn't really overclocking the board. Not all processors can make that jump. Real overclocking would provide the ability to adjust the speeds at variable points, not just one large jump between two standard speeds. Jumping pins is a much more risky thing than just changing BIOS settings, so most people wouldn't bother doing that on a Dell, while many would try the BIOS changes if they were there.

 

[Jhhnn]

I can't speak to the entire Dell line, but the 4550 series uses standard psu's and standard Intel boards. I suspect that most late model P4 Dells are the same. Some of the high end machines have proprietary form factor psu's, but the electrical characteristics are likely standard...

The whole proprietary angle on parts is bogus, anyway- it costs them a fortune to inventory non-standard parts for older machines, and any repair shop worth mentioning would install an ordinary psu w/adapter rather than pay the outrageous price for a genuine Dell model, and then have to wait to get it... They lose sales faster than they gain margin, making for an exercise in futility...

They don't overclock because they have Intel boards, Semi-custom Intel Bioses. It's just not what they're made for, not at all...