Is my motherboard's socket the wrong type?

Well, my old motherboard died and I had to get a new one. After looking around some I decided to order this processor from newegg. My cpu is a somewhat old (but not too old) Pentium 4. I searched LGA775 to make sure it matched my processor and it seemed to. The description

Anyway, I finally recieved it in the mail today, put everything together and tried to start it up. It would repeatedly turn itself on and off until it was unplugged. After a few hours of messing around with it, I noticed something. The socket for the cpu looks something like this (sorry for my bad paint skills), not like any other LGA775 sockets I saw when I searched for them. The manual has a picture of the socket and even it doesn't match the one on the board.

The socket on my old motherboard looked like this. Looking at the one on the new one it doesn't seem like all the contact points would touch. Should this work with my cpu? It is the only thing I could find that would explain the issue.

 

It is a 775 Motherboard and therefore should work but you have to be certain that your CPU is on the "support list". Can you provide any details of the CPU (sSpec or anything?).

Here is the CPU support list for that Motherboard:

http://www.gigabyte.com.tw/Support/Motherboard/CPUSupport_Model.aspx?ProductID=2842

I suspect you are going to have to reset your BIOS for the OS to work with the new Motherboard?!?

 

Thanks for the reply.

Unfortunately I can't really say much about the processor other than that it's a Pentium 4, 3GHz. The problem is that after I secure it in place when I turn it on it will only come on for two seconds, then turn off for two seconds, then come on for two seconds, etc..

This happens even if the cpu is the only thing on the board and it happens if everything else is plugged in. The odd thing is that the manual says it uses a LGA775 socket, then right below that is a picture labled LGA775, but it does not match the socket on the motherboard. It matches the pictures I saw online.

I've taken the motherboard out and reinstalled it severy times so I don't think there's a short. The cpu seems to be fine on the other motherboard (but there's a display issue). If I place it in the socket and turn it on it just runs like it would without a processor, but as soon as I pull the lever to lock it in place then it will do the loop of on and off.

Because the socket doesn't match the picture in the manual or any pictures online was why I thought that was the problem.

 

pentium 4 not supported from cpu support list . Power requirements not the same. Need a different board or newer chip. Anything from 9** down is a no go

 

I'm hoping you have an XP Install disk there? Often when you install a new motherboard the OS is tied to the old Motherboard in many ways (Chipset Drivers etc etc) and you can find you cannot get your system to boot. But there are some methods that can help you overcome this issue:

How To Change Your Motherboard, without having to reload windows

I would suggest that you follow my favourite method for "rebuilding" windows (repair install) if you have your system disk please read this thread and then read it again thoroughly:

Langa Letter: XP's No-Reformat, Nondestructive Total-Rebuild Option

It has saved my bacon on many occasions and fixed friends PC's. Hopefully this will sort the problem.

 

Ouch bonkers is right the P4 are listed as N/A. Either way when you do install a new Motherboard you will have to follow my links as many OS's become tied to a Motherboard and unless the replacement is identical or has the same Chipsets it will most likely not work.

 

Hmm, okay thanks. I saw Pentium was just generally listed on newegg and it just said it works with the pentium family in the manual, so I figure it would work.

 

Newegg should replace it for that reason. When you pull the CPU out next time can you clean the top and post the numbers and I will help you find a decent motherboard if you like.

I think this section with LGA775 and P4 should be what you need to look for:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...ore+2+Duo+/+Pentium+D+/+Pentium+4+/+Celeron+D

 

I think I may just buy a new processor. Would any Core 2 duo be a step up from what I have?

EDIT: I'm currently thinking the Intel Core 2 Duo E6700, since I know someone who will sell me one kinda cheap.

 

Well it really depends on what you use the PC for. If it is just for web-surfing you might not notice any significant differences but if you use it for gaming, Video Editing or any high end processor activity you will get a WOW factor.

It really depends on the price you are being offered, I got myself a Quad Q6600 for a little more and love it

 

Well, I'm not so sure anymore. Now that I look at it, if I do upgrade I would want it to be a quad core. However I just don't have that money right now. I still need a new motherboard though.

Thing is, I want to be able to have options for upgrading. I don't suppose there are any motherboards that support both a Pentium 4 and the Core 2 Quad processors? I would hate to get a new motherboard now, then when I do have some extra cash a few months down the road have to upgrade again because it isn't compatable..

 

Okay the link I provided earlier lists all motherboards that take LGA 775 Chips from the Core 2 Duo / Pentium D / Pentium 4 / Celeron series, in other words they can take all of those Intel CPU's and thus will allow for upgrade potential at a later date :cool.

The important thing you may want to consider is whether it will also be able to take the 45um CPU's coming out soon the Octa Cores. The important component here will be the Motherboard Chipsets, if you find one you like goto their website and look at CPU Support lists.

 

this may fit the bill but we need the numbers off the processor to be sure hope it helps
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128087

 

That's a very nice looking board and there are only 6 P4's that aren't supported and you will be able to upgrade all the way to the Octa Cores so fingers crossed. You will still need to follow those links for installing a new motherboard and most likely have to do a repair install.