Dell Dimension 4700 upgrade

[msangler]

Instead of junking my old computer, I was wondering about reducing my carbon footprint and doing some upgrading. RAM is maxed out and the video card is doing well. The current processor is an Intel P4 2.8 on a 775 socket. The motherboard will accept a P4 up to 3.8. Would I notice the difference? The cost of the processor ranges from 75-185.00US so it is still cheaper than the cost of a new computer, too. Thanks in advance and happy new year!

[The Wise Monkey]

It's not worth buying a P4 any more - does your motherboard accept the newer Core 2 Duos? Check the If so, the E8400 is $165 and is an excellent processor:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115037

Actually, you would be better off buying a new motherboard to go with a new CPU - the E2200 is very good for $70:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116063

This Gigabyte motherboard is $85 after rebate, so and is excellent value for money:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128345

[msangler]

As I am a neophyte, I have no way of knowing of my mobo would accept dual core. According to it's specs from when it came out, it only mentions "Intel Pentium 4 processor 520, 530, 540, 550, 560, or 570 with HT Technology - Intel P4 that runs at 2.8, 3.0, 3.2, 3.4, 3.6, and 3.8 GHz".

If I change out the mobo, I am guessing I have to reload XP and from what I have read in the forums, it is tied to the identification of the mobo? If that is correct, I need new XP, mobo, processor, new heat sink and I am then just shy of a completely new machine. Please correct me where I am wrong.

[The Wise Monkey]

It doesn't sounds as if it does accept the latest CPUs then.

Do you have the original XP CD that came with your Dell? Or did they give you a Recovery CD? If you have an original CD, you should be able to use your OEM product key to register your PC again. You wouldn't have to completely reload XP, you would just need to run a repair to replace all the core OS files. The repair process will keep all of your programs and files, but you will need to download all the Windows updates again and you will lose bookmarks from Internet Explorer.

If you don't have the CD then, unofficially, you could just find the XP .iso image from somewhere and use your product key to register it.

What RAM have you got? If it is quite old then it probably won't be compatible with the motherboard I suggested anyway, so you would be better off sticking with a newer P4 - ebay is your friend here. :)

[msangler]

OK, then back to my original question. Would I see a performace improvement? Any P4 chip 3.0 or faster also has 2mg L2 cache instead of my 2.4 1 mg. I see them on eBay from 3.0 to 3.8.

Finally, I do not see a procedure for doing this?.Your site is quite thorough and shows everything else.

Thanks again for your time.

MS

[The Wise Monkey]

You would notice a difference, especially if you got one of the last P4s with HT technology.

[msangler]

Good to know. Any place to look for procedure? I would bet there would be some BIOS resetting and other things I cannot think of. MS

[The Wise Monkey]

Not really, to be honest - just take it out and put another one in. :D