How to select upgrade cpu

[tarpon_bill]

Hello,

I want to take advantage of the last of the P-IV selloff and get the fastest chip I can to put in my old server. It's a Dell 400sc with a 2.26 GHz, 478 northwood, 875P chipset. I have PC3200 memory, so I think that a 800 MHz FSB will work --- But how do you know if the CPU will work? Voltage is the primary concerm. Does the chip set the voltage on the motherboard or do I have to set it manualy. I have the high capacity heatsink so the dissapation should be OK.

The manual says the box can take a 478 pin processor up to 3.2 GHz so I assume that is a prescott chip.

Any help for this newbie would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Grimmy]

I think I found some info that may help you out some:

1. What processors does my system support?

The PowerEdge 400SC supports a single processor and been tested, validated and manufactured in these configurations:

Intel Celeron Processor at speeds of 2.0 and 2.4Ghz, 400MHz Front Side Bus (FSB), 128KB cache
Intel Pentium 4 (Northwood) Processor at the speed of 2.26Ghz, 533MHz FSB, 512KB cache
Intel Pentium 4 (Northwood) Processor at speeds of 2.0Ghz, 2.4Ghz, 2.8GHz and 3.4GHz, 800MHz FSB, 512KB cache
Intel Pentium 4 (Prescott) Processor at the speed of 3.4Ghz, 800MHz FSB, 512KB and 1Mb cache.

These processors fit into the Intel "Socket N", 478 pin, ZIFF processor socket.

PowerEdge 400SC Processor Questions

 

[tarpon_bill]

Thanks ... Neat chart ... I called Dell, they no longer have the upgrade kits.

Maybe you can help me better understand what I am doing, before I blow something up ... Does this mean that any prescott processor, 3.0E for instance could be used? I am still confused as to what exactly can you 'plug in'. How does the voltage get set for the chip? I can't seem to find anything in the manual that talks about setting cpu chip voltage.

bill

 

[Grimmy]

I agree with mpilchfamily. Should be all pretty much plug-in play. All the settings are or should be done automatically through the CPU to the bios.

Dells or other brand named systems like HP/Sony/IBM/ect will have a bios that really shouldn't have any settings/features for you to mess with like the FSB/Vcore/Memory Settings/ect for Over Clocking.

Should be able to plop another CPU in there, but not sure if the HS that you have currently would be able to sufficiently cool it, especially if you go with a Prescott.

I did see some OEM CPU from Ewiz.com that you could look at. I'd prolly would recommend getting a 3rd party HSF as well from NewEgg or what is local to you.

I'd recommend a Northwood Core, rather than a Prescott as well, simply since it should run cooler.

 

[tarpon_bill]

Thanks that is making things a lot clearer.

I already have on order from ebay Dell's bigger heatsink and fan assembly so ... Which chip should be the better preformer, northwood or prescott? They both now go for around $85 so it's not price that counts, I just want the most I can get from the old girl.

bill

 

[Grimmy]

Because of the size of cache, the Prescott will be somewhat ahead in some benchmarks. Here's a old review off Tom's site:

P4 Northwood and Prescott Comparison at 4.1 GHz

But those where OC to 4.1 ghz with vapor chill :lol:. Might wanna just google around to see other benchmark reviews to help you decide.

Here was an article explaining somethings about the throttling between the Northwood and Prescott at equal speeds:

Testing Thermal Throttling in Pentium 4

Thought that was informative. I've read so many people complain about high temps on the Prescott, so thats would be the only reason why I'd recommend the Northwood over Prescott.

 

[tarpon_bill]

Thanks, I am going to order a 3.0 northwood from ewiz.com ...

 

[Grimmy]

Yer Welcome.

Heh, I recently upgraded from a P4 2.66/533 to P4 3.0/800 Northwood.

I'd thought you'd prolly go for the P4 3.4/800/512kb Northy. :lol:

GL on the upgrade.