changing cpu

I would like to change my pentium 4 CPU 2.8 GHz to the pentium 4 duo core 3.2 GHz cpu
i think the architecture is 775 socket but not sure. so if i change cpu i will have to reload operating system Right? anything else i need 2 consider? such as bios update or driver update? can u please provide any links u might think appropriate. thanx for ur anticipated help. my goal is to game w/ saints row three or burnout paradise

system info currentlly:
Operating System: Windows XP Professional (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 3 (2600.xpsp_sp3_gdr.101209-1647)
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: Dell Inc.
System Model: Dell DV051
BIOS: Phoenix ROM BIOS PLUS Version 1.10 A04
Processor: Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 2.80GHz (2 CPUs)
Memory: 2038MB RAM
Page File: 397MB used, 3533MB available
Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)

Display Devices
---------------
Card name: Intel(R) 82915G/GV/910GL Express Chipset Family
Manufacturer: Intel Corporation
Chip type: Intel(R) 82915G/GV/910GL Express Chipset
DAC type: Internal
Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_2582&SUBSYS_01C41028&REV_04
Display Memory: 128.0 MB
Current Mode: 1360 x 768 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor: Plug and Play Monitor
Monitor Max Res: 1600,1200
Driver Name: ialmrnt5.dll
Driver Version: 6.14.0010.4410 (English)
DDI Version: 9 (or higher)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
Driver Date/Size: 10/14/2005 15:06:58, 36990 bytes

 

I have to ask, did you enter your serial# in the Dell site and a dual core is listed as an upgrade for your machine? I haven't seen Dell have such an upgrade. If Dell motherboard supports the dual then make sure to clean the heatsink/fan base with some strong isopropyl alcohol, at least %70 and apply a grain of rice sized TIM like Arctic Silver 5 for example and close it up.

As to reinstalling XP, I don't think you need to.

One thing that bothers me is that besides your machine being dated, is your graphics subsystem. I personally would not upgrade this machine and would be a waste of good money that could go towards a new machine instead. IMHO

 

very limited budget, i'd be afraid of putting alcohol on a cpu i just wipe it clean w/ napkin and dab cpu grease on this is all i can afford a used dua core 3.2ghz is only around $30 on amazon or geeks.com my machine has new water cooling heat-sink and large fan and big power box. plays need for speed world online [free] very nice no glitching excellent graphics. i do have sapphire graphics card to put in i forget the # but in 2008 it was $400 new so probably gonna be fine. thanx for your input very nice of u.

 

That ain't gonna cut it, you're risking your CPU with possible heat damage. Just soak a bit onto a J-cloth or similar. It is imperative that the surfaces be shiny clean before applying new thermal grease, like a long-grain rice kernel on only the CPU. The alcohol only costs a buck or two at the pharmacy or even a Wal-Mart.

I would also install Core Temp to monitor your CPU temps for a week at least or so until the compound spreads out and works it's magic. If you're going to re-use your P4 heatsink then I would definately check the temps, as the dual puts out more heat than the P4. I can expect 50C which would be alright but not over 70C. Heat kills electronic components very quickly.

 

Thanx augiedoggie, i really dont have much of an option, i like ur idea about the core temp. ur very helpful. should i just save my money and get a playstation3? the thing is if i can play need for speed world online, why not burnout paradise? i already meet the minimum system requirements except for the video graphics card. will the video graphics card cause the cpu to heat up even more. i will use the alcohol on the new cpu an th grease, an i will install core temp. i do understand that the grease is critical to have complete surface to surface with no air in between.
so the dual core pentium will work on this board? so when it creates more heat cant i add more fans? inside gaming pc-s there are more fans. cant i just go into the bios and check the heat of the cpu b4 & after playing need for speed, temporarily? seems strange that some games even require the dual core processor for thier games as a minimum when it is going to cause more heat, that seems counter intuitive. i'm guessing it would be about the refresh rates, regardless of the consequences to ur cpu an system. there must be a way to deal with the heat. do u know of a way to check to see if a used cpu is working? just plug it in and see if bios comes up, or is there some sort of diagnostics that a shop can do? because i do have a used dual core pentium, but when i put it in another pc that was working i get no bios or monitor the pcu fan runs and the cd/dvd lights come on but the start button does not make the pc shutdown. so i'm thinking if it expensive to have it checked by a pc shop just replace it. the pc works fine once i replace the cpu that was initially in there. i will not put it in this pc as this is my best. but i do have others.
Is this any better?:
System Information Report Date: 19/10/2011 http://www.iobit.com
General; OS: Microsoft Windows XP Professional
Central Processor: Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 3.40GHz
Graphics; Video Adapter: Intel(R) 82945G Express Chipset Family
Video Memory: 128.00 MB,Screen Resolution:1152 x 864
Storage; Total Memory:1014.42 MB, Free Memory:628.57 MB
OS Version: 5.1.2600, Service Pack:3.0, Product ID :55274-640-5536995-23518,
Microsoft DirectX Vers: 4.09.00.0904, OpenGL Vers: 5.1.2600.5512 (xpsp.080413-0845), Registry; Maximum Size:54 MB, Current Size: 2 MB
CPU; Code Name: Model 6, Stepping 5, Manufactory:GenuineIntel
Current Clock Speed :3400 Mhz, Max Clock Speed:3400 Mhz
Voltage: 0V, External Clock:200 Mhz,
CPU ID: x86 Family 15 Model 6 Stepping 5, Socket Designation: Socket 775
Internal Cache :32 KB, L2-Cache: 2048 KB
Motherboard;Model: Endura EM945G, Manufactory:Foxconn
BIOS Name: Phoenix - AwardBIOS v6.00PG,BIOS Vendor: Phoenix Technologies, LTD,SMBIOS Version: 5J1R2P29, BIOS Date: 24/10/2006
BIOS Features; ISA is supported : Yes , PCI is supported : Yes, Plug and Play is supported: Yes, APM is supported: Yes, BIOS is Upgradable (Flash) : Yes, BIOS shadowing is allowed : Yes, ESCD support is available : Yes, Boot from CD is supported : Yes, Selectable Boot is supported: Yes, BIOS ROM is socketed: Yes, EDD (Enhanced Disk Drive) Specification is supported: Yes, Int 13h - 5.25 / 360 KB Floppy Services are supported :Yes, Int 13h - 5.25 /1.2MB Floppy Services are supported : Yes, Int 13h - 3.5 / 720 KB Floppy Services are supported : Yes, Int 13h - 3.5 / 2.88 MB Floppy Services are supported: Yes, Int 5h, Print Screen Service is supported: Yes, Int 9h, 8042 Keyboard services are supported: Yes, Int 14h, Serial Services are supported: Yes, Int 17h, printer services are supported: Yes, Int 10h, CGA/Mono Video Services are supported : Yes, ACPI supported: Yes, USB Legacy is supported: Yes, LS-120 boot is supported : Yes, ATAPI ZIP Drive boot is supported: Yes,Memory Device; Memory; Total Memory:1014.42 MB, Used Memory: 385.23 MB, Free Memory: 629.19 MB, Memory Usage: 37%, Physical Memory; Memory Bank: Bank0/1, Description; Physical Memory 0, Device Locator: A0, Capacity: 1.00 GB, Speed: NULL Mhz, Data Width: 64 bit, Form Factor: DIMM
Disk Drives;Name: ST3160023AS, SATA,Capability: 149.05 GB, Partitions: 1, Cylinders: 19457,Heads: 255, Sectors: 312576705, Tracks:4961535, Tracks Per Cylinder:255, Bytes Per Sector:512, Sectors Per Track:63, S.M.A.R.T Support:Yes Current Temp:0C (32F), CD-ROM Drives:SAMSUNG DVD-ROM SD-612,& HL-DT-ST DVD+-RW GSA-H31N, Drive E: IDE Controller;Intel(R) 82801G (ICH7 Family) Ultra ATA Storage Controllers - 27DF, IDE Controller; Primary IDE Channel, ManufStandard IDE ATA/ATAPI cntrllers), IDE Controller;Intel(R) 82801GB/GR/GH (ICH7 Family) Serial ATA Storage Cntrlr - 27C0, IDE Controller; Primary IDE Channel, Manufactory: (Stndrd IDE ATA/ATAPI cntrlrs), Secondary IDE Channel, Manufactory : ( IDE ATA/ATAPI cntrlrs
Display; Video Adapter: Intel(R) 82945G ExpressChipsetFamily
Video Processor: Intel(R) 82945G ExpressChipsetFamily
Manufactory: Intel Corporation, Video Architecture: VGA
DAC Type: Internal, Memory Size:128.00 MB,Memory Type:Unknown
Video Mode:1152 x 864 x 4294967296 colors
Current Refresh Rate:60 Hz, Driver Version: 6.14.10.4421, Driver Date:03/11/2005 22:50:58, Network; Local Area Connection: Intel(R) PRO/100 VE Network Connection:Service Name:E100B,Manufactory:Intel
Sound Device; SigmaTel High Definition Audio CODEC
6-Universal Serial Bus[USB] Controllers:Intel(R) 82801G (ICH7 Family) USB Universal Host Controller - 27C8,Protocol Supported .

 

That fancy font and blue is hard to read (especially when jammed together) with my nearly 60 year old eyes - and not necessary in technical discussions. In fact, I skipped most of the above.

I think you need to pay closer attention to what augiedoggie is telling you - he has given you excellent advice. First, just because two CPUs use the same socket, that IN NO WAY means the motherboard (the chipset and bus) is compatible or that it will support that new CPU. You need to verify that specific motherboard will support any new CPU you are considering.

Also, isopropyl alcohol is the most commonly used cleaner. I typically recommend 91% as it does not leave a film like the common 73% does. But the key thing is, as augie has said, it is imperative the mating surfaces have been cleaned of all old TIM (thermal interface material) before applying new. And you MUST remove the old and apply new. Once TIM has cured, which is typically within 3 or 4 power (heat up and cool down) cycles, it cannot be re-used.

If this were my machine and my money, I would bump up the RAM to 4Gb first as adding RAM typically provides the best bang for the money.

Then I would install a graphics card. Since this is an older motherboard with integrated graphics, just about any graphics card will provide a significant over all performance boost than your current solution. There are many cards for about $50USD (or even less) that should work fine and may not require a bigger PSU. Even if don't upgrade your RAM, adding a card improve over all performance and will give you a little RAM boost too as the card comes with its own dedicated RAM. That will free up that 128MB of system RAM your integrated graphics has stolen.

Upgrading the CPU almost always comes last in my upgrade priority list - especially when on a tight budget.

 

thanx sorry about th font and extra info i'm new an not sure what is relevant. i do appreciate ur input th graphics card and ram sounds like a very good idea thanx again. i get it about cleaner and new grease, just didn't know that such thorough cleaner was necessary, i've just wiped them off w/ a tissue in the past an put new grease in there.

 

Well extra large font and bold all the way across are not relevant either. I recommend just using the default setting and using the enhancements only when emphasis is needed. You are NOT going to get any attention any sooner. In fact, it is often a turn off and may drive potential responders away. You did fine in your very first post - I suggest you stick with that format.

As far as thermal grease (TIM) and a tissue, understand the purpose of TIM is to fill the microscopic pits and valleys in the mating surfaces to push out any trapped, insulating air. A tiny tissue fiber left behind could be like a fallen log in the load. So I usually recommend a quick blast with compressed dusting gas just before applying the TIM.

 

thank you, no more font changes, not tryin for any special or fast attention sorry

 

I know. And I am not really complaining, just letting you know how "technical" forums typically work.

 

Thank you, that's much better now. If you want to, you can repost the blue one by taking out the font identifiers and making paragraphs at the appropriate places and I'll take a look. You want to make your post as easily readable as you can since you're asking for help.

I couldn't read that post either as my eyes crossed badly. Maybe it's because I'm about Digerati's age.:-D

 

thanx 4 puttin up with my noviceness you guys are always so helpful have a good day