Precision 340, 1.8 Ghz - Has anyone changed their processor?

I would like to know this also.

---

@Blasted wrote:

I've got a 340 with a P4 1.8 Ghz, 400 mhz FSB, 256K L2 cache, socket 478 processor. Has anyone

changed theirs to the faster 2.6 Ghz processor? Is the Intel RK805326PC049512 processor

(2.6 Ghz, 400 mhz FSB, 512K L2 cache, 1.5V, Northwood core, the correct one to use?

Is it difficult to install a new processor? Is the heat sink and fan reusable from the old processor? Do I need

to update my BIOS?

Any help or comment is appreciated!

---

It's been one week since I posted this question and there's been no helpful response (yet?).  I wonder where all those extreme-techno computer builders are when you need them?  Suppose they don't touch Dell's?

So anyway, Dell's position is that they 1) Do not sell any CPU upgrade kits; 2) Don't advise the customer to change it; and 3) Don't offer any technical assistance and/or information.

That last one is the sticking point because Intel has a bunch of P4 2.6 Ghz 400 FSB CPU's available.  Selecting the correct processor specification is what I'm uncertain of since Dell clearly states that their motherboard and power supply are proprietary.

This situation reminds me of the IPOD battery replacement issue not long ago.  Users were told you couldn't replace the rechargeable battery inside.  But Apple has since changed their position on this matter and maybe Dell will offer CPU upgrade information that the customer can utilize to pursue at their own risk.  That sounds pretty fair to me.

Are you planning to try the Northwood core 2.6 Ghz processor?   The one I was looking at is rated 1.5V, 0.13 micron, and supports MMX,SSE & SSE2.

Cost was $145 plus shipping.

I've got 3 systems that I would consider upgrading if the CPU is compatible.

Thanks for the post and good luck on your end :) 

I've been looking for the same info, and here's what I figure:

Dell claims support for at least 1.5 to 2.2 GHz 400-FSB CPUs.  This is with the standard 45-ns PC800 memory, which most of us won't want to replace with faster RAMBUS memory due to its horrific expense. 

They also claim to support 2.26 GHz+ CPUs with the 533 Mhz FSB.  This, in theory, could scale all the way up to the max of the 3.06 GHz Pentium 4, as long as you had the requisite 40ns or better RAMBUS memory.   

These specs encompass both the old Willamette-core Pentium 4 (1.5 to 2.0 GHz on Socket 478,) and the newer Northwood-core Pentium 4 (1.6A, 1.8A, and 2.0-3.06 GHz.) 

The only problem I could see while running these faster Pentium 4s (2.4 GHz+) would be if the voltage regulation circuitry on Dell's motherboard is too weak to handle it.  Dell's motherboards, although plain, are usually pretty darned tough, and should be able to handle the extra power requirements of the faster CPUs.    I've been thinking about this for quite some time; I support a whole truckload of Precision 340s that were purchased before I started at this company.  Most of them have 1.8-2.0 GHz Willamette Pentium 4s, the performance of which always left a lot to be desired.  So I'm looking to extend the life expectancy of these PCs an extra year or two.  The 2.6/400 CPU would be the best way to do that, so I don't have to discard the 45ns memory that they're all equipped with.  If I end up ordering a few, I'll let you all know how it pans out.

 

Oh, a couple more things before I'm through -

First off, the heat sink, although aluminum, is fairly substantial in the Precision 340, and should handle the 2.6/400 with relative ease.  Heck, the 2.6 probably uses about the same amount of power and creates about the same amount of heat as the 1.8 Willamette to begin with, being a .13 micron design instead of a .18 micron one.  The Willamette was never known to be a cool CPU.

Installing a new CPU is a cakewalk.  Unplug the motherboard, ground yourself, take the heat sink off, take the old CPU out, put the new CPU in, and put everything back in its place.  That's really about it!  Dell's BIOS are pretty good with auto-detecting new CPUs, so no BIOS work should need to be done to get the CPU up and running.  You may want the newest BIOS, though, before putting the new CPU in if you're going to try it, though. 

Any Pentium 4 with 512k of L2 cache is a "Northwood" core Pentium, so we're talking about the same thing here.  And yes, this is the very CPU I would consider putting in my machines; it's the highest-performance 400MHz FSB Pentium made, if I remember right.  This would be THE CPU to get to extend the life expectancy of the PC; the world just needs someone to try it out.  I'll talk to my boss and see what he thinks about it. 

Newegg seems to have them in stock, so I wanted to grab them in the next few months before the 2.6/400s run out of stock.  Like I said, I'll have a talk with the boss and see what he thinks, and I'll let you know if I try it out.

I got the same response from Dell as Blaster did.

IMHO, a rather lame and automatic response.

Here's my situation..

Someone gave me a Precision 340 with no CPU and RAM.

Major bummer this mainboard uses RDRAM. The most overpriced, overhyped RAM ever..

Anyway, I'm considering buying a new CPU and RAM to get it running again.

I've located some 533 FSB P4s at a good price

New P4 2.4 533 FSB for $109 and 256 MB RDRAM 40ns for $85

The question remains, has anyone tried putting a 2.4, 2.53, 2.8, or 3.06 533 FSB P4 in these 340s?

 

We have a Precision 340 with a P4 1.5. Earlier this week I installed a 533FSB P4 2.8 using the original heatsink. The system runs stable and notably quicker at 2.1Ghz. We have 800 Mhz RAM. Have to wait until can afford some 1066 RAM before the system will run at full speed (2.8).

So, here is one success story (so far) on upgrading.

That's great news rcravy

 

I received another email response from Dell..

They told me, based on the service tag, that the mainboard in this 340 only supports the 400 FSB CPUs.

I found some decent priced 40ns RDRAM, and ordered it.

I have a PC at home with a 533 FSB 2.53, as soon as the RDRAM arrives, I'm going to verify whether or not I was told the truth. If the 533 FSB CPU won't work, I'll go ahead and order a 400 FSB CPU.. If the 533 FSB CPU does work, then I proved them wrong, and will order a 533 FSB CPU

:)

 

Hi and Thank You to Everyone that has posted a reply to my original post,

I've taken another look at the many Intel P4 2.6 Ghz, 400 FSB, 512 Kb L2 cache CPU's listed on their web page at: http://processorfinder.intel.com/scripts/list.asp?ProcFam=483&PkgType=ALL&SysBusSpd=ALL&CorSpd=ALL

There were 6 different spec numbers listed for the 2.6 CPU.  Does anyone know what criteria I should be looking at?  For example, does the stepping (C1 or D1) make a difference? How about the bus/core ratio? The thermal spec? The core voltage?  Hmmm, this is a very perplexing situation.

So, has anyone out there tried using this particular Intel CPU? ID#: RK80532PC064512

FYI, I've got the 40ns, PC800, 400 Mhz ECC Rdram if that make any difference is choosing the correct CPU.

Mr. Blasted, I put a 2.8GHz cpu in my old Dell-Precision-340 and it worked ; I bought the cpu from "Canada-Computer-Inc.  905-946-9688" ; the cpu arrived in a sealed Intel boxed ; specs on label are: 2.8GHz 1.52 Vmax. SysBus 533MHz, 512KB L2-Cache, PGA-478Pkg, made in CostaRica ;

While I was intalling the cpu I was wishing for a full throttle speed at 2.8GHz FSB:533 ; unfortunately , once everything was installed .. ( i even updated the flash-bios to the most recent level ) my computer behaved as if it is running at 2.2GHz FSB:400 ; The existing RamBus memory is  2x256 Mbs PC800 40.nans ;

At this point I am receiving conflicting ideas from others as to how to achieve the proper maximum speed ; One person says i would need memory PC1066 to get the most juice out of the CPU ; Another person tells me that for this type of computer i cannot use memory speeds higher that PC800 ;

I don't know the answer , Perhaps one of your many fans can help;

mariopapas  or mariopapas@yahoo.com

 

I've got some great news to report to everyone!

Since my original post 11 weeks ago, I finally took the leap (chance)
and replaced my existing 1.8 Ghz 400 FSB 256 L2 cache CPU with the faster
2.6 Ghz 400 FSB 512 L2 cache (Intel OEM # RK80532PC064512).

It was relatively easy to take out the old CPU by following the detailed
instructions available from Dell in their support section. I also flashed
my BIOS to the latest "A07" version.

First I flashed my BIOS, then replaced the CPU. After boot-up, I ran three
different utilites: 1) Intel Processor Frequency ID Utility ver 7.0; 2) CPU-Z
ver 1.23 from CPUID.com; and 3) WCPUID ver 3.3 from www.h-oda.com.

All three programs reported a core speed of 2592.1 Mhz; bus speed of 398.8
Mhz; and voltage of 3.088v (slightly higher than 3.072v from old 1.8 cpu).

Final pricing for the 2.6 processor came to $148, shipped to Hawaii. I suggest
that interested users use "FROGGLE" to do your shopping searches.

In closing, I would be intested finding out more about the following:
1) Has anyone been successful in installing a faster processors than a 2.6? (I see that
someone has tried using a 2.8 without success yet)
2) Can anyone recommend a source for PC800 ECC 40ns 2ea 256Mb Rdram modules
for under $200, including shipping to the land of Aloha?

Thanks and good luck to all brave souls out there!
Blasted

By checking the FSB of the existing CPU in your system (i.e. 400 or 533) with a utility such as

1) Intel Processor Frequency ID Utility ver 7.0.
2) CPU-Z ver 1.23 from CPUID.com.
3) WCPUID ver 3.3 from www.h-oda.com.

From here you would get a pretty fair idea of which Intel CPU family you can stick with. In my case, I had an existing 1.8Ghz 400fsb CPU and took it all the way up to the fastest 2.6Ghz 400fsb that Intel makes. In the processes, I also double the L2 cache performance from 256mb to 512mb.

So to say the least, I'm pretty happy to have extend the usefullness of my Dell 340 for another 12-18 months for about $8 a month : )

Anyway, from the others who have posted a reply. No one has posted any news of being successful with using a 533fsb CPU at full speed. And I don't have any idea whether PC800 ECC RDram at 45ns/40ns; or PC1066 RDram limits the performance charateristics you can achieve from your intended CPU upgrade if you go that route.

Actually, I just saw on Newegg.com that Intel has since released a faster 400FSB part. They now have an OEM model 2.8 GHz Pentium 4 part with the 400 MHz bus speed. I have been cleared by my manager to buy a couple of these and see if they work in the Precision 340s and Dimension 4400s that we have in production right now. I'll let you all know how it goes.