Upgrading Pentium 4 Processor

Got some money burning in my pocket and I am thinking about upgrading my Pentium 4 processor. I have a :-

1.70 gigahertz Intel Pentium 4
8 kilobyte primary memory cache
256 kilobyte secondary memory cache

The motherboard is a:-

Board: Hewlett-Packard HP System Board HP P/N
Serial Number: K5121400****
Bus Clock: 400 megahertz
BIOS: Phoenix Technologies, LTD VI31308 03/20/2002

Is it just a matter of getting any old Pentium 4 processor or is there some-thing else I need to be aware of.

Cheers

 

In the first instance your bios version must be able to cater for your new cpu. I note that your current bios is dated 03/20/2002 and would presume that it would need flashing. If you have never flashed a bios before then take my advise and get a friend of yours who has done this kind of thing before since a badflash can result in your system become 'inoperable'

 

please list the model number of your HP desktop so we can tell you what your current system would support.

as risk_reversal said, you'll likely need to flash your BIOS to an updated version if your motherboard even accepts a newer pentium 4 that is worth the upgrade

one you give us the model number, we can help you from there

 

Thanks for the replies guy's

My PC is a 2-3 year old HP Pavillion 471.uk. The PC is a good machine and very reliable but with all the stuff the kids are putting on I thought a processor upgrade seemed logical at some point.

Unsure what "flashing the bios" means - could you ping me a link which explains what that means. Hopefully it doesn't involve long rain coats and me loitering in dark alley's because the wife & kids would never forgive me.

Cheers

 

closest i can find is a Pavilion k471... is this what you mean? (it should definetly say on the case--or other places) http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/...&cc=us&dlc=en&product=391055&docname=bph07555

just trying to be thourough

as for flashing the BIOS, when we do figure out which system you have, i can send you to a page similar to this http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/...oduct=391055&lang=en&cc=us&docname=c00007682#

and no, as far as I know there is no jailtime/lifetime of shame that goes along with this flashing nor trenchcoats

 

If you are looking for more speed, and/or the motherboard won't allow cpu upgrade....have you thought about upgrading the memory??? You would be VERY surprised the difference it can make!!!!

Roger