P4 upgrade

Hi

I thinking of upgrading an old desktop machine i've got lying around, it's a dell dimension 5000, with a 2.8ghz pentium 4.

I need to work out what processor will fit. I know that i need to know what socket i've got - but i don't know how to find that out! Can anyone advise on how i work this out?

I think it's a Northwood P4 - which is 130nm - i have no idea what this means but have tried researching the processor and thats what i found. Does this help me?

I know it may sound like i don't know a lot but i'm not afraid of trying! As i said i've started researching but have got to a point where i think i need advice from people who know more than me!

Any advice would be appreciated - thanks!

 

Hi,

There are programs that will tell you what the present processor is. Try CPU-Z. If you take the heat sink off it is moulded into the socket. Probably 4XX.

Good Luck, Jim

 

Cool, cheers Jim, I'll give CPU-Z a try.

Ermm...moulded into the socket? Are you trying to tell me that I shouldn't take the heat sink off because it's moulded into the socket? Sorry if i'm being thick!

 

Hi again Crighton,

No, the Socket number for the processor is molded into the socket. It is the number of pins on the processor. You should really go to the maker of the Motherboard internet site and get the specs for the board. That should tell you all the processors that will work in the board. Don't remove the heatsink unless you are prepared to reseat it with new heatsink compound.

More luck, Jim

 

That's a socket 478 and is really not upgradeable with your board, not even to a much higher clock speed and forget dual core. You didn't mention why you want to upgrade nor do you mention how much memory you have.

The best and cheapest way to go is extra RAM, especially if you only have say 512MB running XP. Go to crucial.com with your IE browser and run their auto application for memory that'll show you what you have and what you can add. Other than that, I'd save my money for a new machine.

 

augiedoggie is spot on about the RAM. Looks like the Dell Dimension 5000 supports DDR2 400 and 533mhz RAM, which is dirt cheap right now.

The only possible upgrade for your CPU would be one that is Hyperthreaded (if your 2.8 isn't already). According to the specs for the 5000 its board supports hyperthreaded processors. A P4 socket 478 3.0Eghz processor can be had for under $80.00 US - or even cheaper off eBay used.

But . . . 2.8ghz isn't a bad speed . . . and RAM is an upgrade that you will really notice. Video cards make a nice upgrade also . . . looks like the board has a PCIE X16 slot.

Just sayin'

 

Yup about the video, it all depends on what the OP uses the machine for. At least the video card can be transplanted when the time comes for a new machine.

 

Forgot to mention the 3.0E has an 800mhz buss