computer gurus? I have a question.

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Canon

03/28/2007 07:07:21 PM · #2

While a CPU upgrade is a good idea, it really is only half the battle in this case. If you have a fast CPU and slow RAM, you're still going to see some lag as there will be a bottleneck in the whole process. I agree with those that say upgrade both the mobo and the cpu and also get some new RAM. It'll be more expensive than just the chip, but it would be worth it. If you do this, you can also upgrade to the much nicer Core2Duo chips which will allow you to multitask a lot better than with your P4 not to mention the faster FSB, RAM, and the bigger onboard cache. You can also go the AMD route (most likely cheaper) and get either a single or dual core chip that way as well. Bottom line, in my opinion, getting a new mobo, cpu, and ram is going to give you the most flexibility in getting exactly what you want out of your computer. And if you really want to blow some money ($250ish), a nice WD Raptor 10k rpm hard drive is one awesome little piece of computer hardware and will make that machine a lot faster. Hope this helps.

awpollard

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS

03/28/2007 07:00:45 PM · #3

Yup your board supports:

Support for an Intel® Pentium® 4 processor in a mPGA478 socket with a 533MHz system bus

Support for an Intel® Celeron® processor in a mPGA478 socket with a 400 MHz system bus from 2.4Ghz+

When it shipped originally there was several flavors... one being a 3.06 P4 so it is capable.

478s are becoming hard to come by... Fry's online don't even carry them any more.

Note: If you go the Motherboard+CPU combo that you will probably have to upgrade the RAM I don't know how many Mobos take PC800 no-a-days... You might have PC1066 in that one but doubt it as that is what shipped with the higher end 3.06 model.

TJinGuy

Nikon Coolpix 2100

Canon EF-S 15-85mm IS USM

03/28/2007 06:45:34 PM · #4

Most likely you have a Socket 478 P4 that runs at 533MHz FSB. You would need to match the FSB or you would be downgrading in terms of clock speed. The fastest Socket 478 533MHz at Newegg is the 2.8GHz Northwood core P4. That would be a waste of money.

Upgrading the CPU and Motherboard can be done fairly easily and that may be your best bet. I tell you what, this being a photography site and all, take some pics of the inside of the computer. Make sure you get the whole motherboard as well as the things connected to it. That way we can get a better idea of what you actually have.

pacpinto

Canon PowerShot S3 IS

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 II

03/28/2007 06:32:06 PM · #5

Originally posted by MattO:

I'd look at a combo setup, upgrade the motherboard and cpu at the same time.

This would be a better option IMHO. But if you choose to do this, you will almost for sure have to buy memory, and your video card might not work with your new motherboard. You *do* get a better, faster system...

As to reactivating XP, that usually is not a problem, just a simple phone call, or if you're lucky, not even that. You may have to do some serious XP reconfiguring though, it may be necessary to use your CD and "repair" the installation. If you are not very comfortable doing this kind of thing, you may want to consider professional help.

HTH

MattO

Nikon D4

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II

03/28/2007 06:19:22 PM · #6

I'd look at a combo setup, upgrade the motherboard and cpu at the same time. Usually a cheap enough upgrade. One warning though, windows XP users will have to reactivate windows, which is no big deal basically a call to MS and explaining that your MB was replaced and the hardware change needs to have XP reactivated. I recently did this with a combo that died just in warrenty and they sent me a newer version and I just had to reactivate windows and load the drivers.

MattO

Combo for reference

Message edited by author 2007-03-28 18:29:39.

Louis

Nikon D800

Nikon AF Nikkor 85mm f/1.8D

03/28/2007 06:16:14 PM · #7

Originally posted by fstopopen:

cool. the only pga chips I can find have an fsb of 800, does that have to match since my motherboard has an fsb of 533?

drake

An FSB mismatch is in itself not a problem, but the motherboard's BIOS has to support the chip's 800Mhz bus speed. The BIOS might have to be flashed. I think it's too risky to mismatch them, because your mobo is quite old (in tech terms anyway). Could be a waste of time and money.

Nikon AF Nikkor 85mm f/1.8D

03/28/2007 06:09:48 PM · #8

cool. the only pga chips I can find have an fsb of 800, does that have to match since my motherboard has an fsb of 533?

drake

Louis

Nikon D800

03/28/2007 06:02:44 PM · #9

fstopopen, that chip won't fit on your motherboard. Your motherboard has a PGA socket (pins on the cpu chip), but the chip you want to buy is a socket LGA 775 (pins are on the motherboard). It won't fit.

Message edited by author 2007-03-28 18:03:43.

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 II

03/28/2007 05:55:43 PM · #10

right on.
I don't have an hd camcorder yet. I know it will run my regular dv video, but those specs are for editing hd. I don't have any raw material to test it with. Right now I'm trying to find out how much going to hd will cost will, and what I will have to change to upgrade.

drake

yann

03/28/2007 05:52:04 PM · #11

Difference in speed is not that big from 2.4 to 3.0 honestly. Premiere should work with your 2.4.

pacpinto

Canon PowerShot S3 IS

03/28/2007 05:48:19 PM · #12

Did you actually try to run premiere?

It may be the case, not unheard of, that applications still work quite well with sub-recommendation hardware. You say you have lots of RAM, and I suppose your OS is Windows XP (you can try using the "classic" theme, gives about 10% extra speed - I always do, even on fast machines). You also say you have a good video card. If I were you, I would give it a shot. If you already tried and it didn't work, bummer.

I think the P4 2.4 was mostly sold in the socket 478 version, but in order to upgrade it, you will have to check exactly what socket version your motherboard is.

HTH

Message edited by author 2007-03-28 17:49:30.

Tamron AF 28-300mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di LD Aspherical IF for Canon

03/28/2007 05:45:15 PM · #13

dell says this about my processor:

Intel® Pentium® 4 microprocessor that runs at 2.0 GHz internally and 400 MHz externally; or 2.26, 2.4, 2.53, 2.66, 2.8, or 3.06 GHz internally and 533 MHz externally

I notice that it says "533 externally"

The newegg link that I sent has a fsb of 800, does that number have to match? I see one that is a 3.06 ghz with a fsb of 533 perhaps that is the one I need?

drake

Message edited by author 2007-03-28 17:47:44.

SDW

Canon EOS-60D

03/28/2007 05:37:06 PM · #14

if you do find a chip that will work here is some good documentation on how to replace the CPU and other components in computer.
Good luck, hope you find what your looking 4.
//support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/dim8250/replace.htm

or

//support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/dim8250/index.htm

Message edited by author 2007-03-28 17:40:24.

gbiscuit

Canon EOS-550D Rebel T2i

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS

03/28/2007 05:33:28 PM · #15

If you remove the CPU on your system and look at the socket, it should say something on it. If it has a 775 on it you should be ok with the Newegg CPU. You will most likely need to upgrade the BIOS. If the socket has a 478 on it, then the Newegg CPU will not work regardless of your BIOS version. The best way is to just go to the Dell website and do a search on "Dimension 8250" and do the research. Or call them, most of the time they are O.K. to talk to.

agwright

Canon EOS-20D

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM

03/28/2007 05:30:54 PM · #16

right click my computer and select properties here will tell you your memory and processor speed

SDW

Canon EOS-60D

Tamron AF 28-300mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di LD Aspherical IF for Canon

03/28/2007 05:27:37 PM · #17

Originally posted by zaflabout:

nope some mother boards are compatible with some processors, i forgot the technical terms of all that , but on the spu itself there is a lot of numbers printed on it these usually refer to which architecture its compatible with.

another thing you need to consider is ram and a good video card.

PS: Louis is right about the warranty.
cheers.

I believe the word you were looking for is proprietary. But in short your are correct. Also most all the new Vcards are not compatible to a motherboard that is over 2 years old.

Message edited by author 2007-03-28 17:29:35.

DrAchoo

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

03/28/2007 05:22:26 PM · #18

Find out what you have for a processor now and work backwards. That will help you figure out what type of CPU slot your MB is. Then you have to do some research and see which processors fit that slot.

Tamron SP AF 17-50mm f/2.8 Di II LD Aspherical (IF) for Nikon

03/28/2007 05:19:25 PM · #19

the warrantee is long gone. Not a concern.

I have lots of ram and a good video card, I have just been putting off upgrading the cpu because I don't know how to find out what is compatible.

any tips to find out what will work?

drake

zaflabout

Nikon D300

03/28/2007 05:14:34 PM · #20

Louis

Nikon D800

Nikon AF Nikkor 85mm f/1.8D

03/28/2007 05:13:01 PM · #21

If you crack open your Dell to replace the CPU, you'll void your warranty. Does Dell publish the specs on their motherboards? Look at their site to see wether or not the CPU on that model/motherboard can go up to 3.0ghz. It might if you flash the bios. But to repeat, you'll void your warranty with Dell if you service your machine yourself.