Either the Pentium D 950, or the D 945 should work in the Dimension 9100, but the performance upgrade you will see, may not be worth the cost of the upgrade.
Prior to upgrading the processor, you need to upgrade the BIOS to to the latest version, A03, when support for newer processors was added.
Yes, replacing the single core P4 630 with a Pentium D would help, but it's probably not worth the cost, it's your choice.
Regards to installing 4gb of RAM, if you have a 32-bit operating system, a 32-bit system does not recognize 4gb of memory, 3±gb is all a 32-bit system can address.
Basically what it means is, while you can install 4gb of memory in the system, the reason it’s not recognized is mainly due to 32-bit processors and/or 32-bit applications on memory address limitations.
64-bit processors & operating systems will recognize beyond the 32-bit limitation.
Personally, I would add 2 x 1gb modules to the exsisting 2 x 512mb modules, giving a total of 3gb of memory
Ok, I have a question about this Dell Dimension 9100. It says that you can upgrade to dual core processors, but just which ones are compatible with this i945p chipset? How about an E6700 or E6800. I'm thinking that I'd go with the E6700, since I can get it for $69.99 compared to the E6800 for $113.89.There's not a huge difference that would justify to me to spend that much more for the E6800. I just can't seem to find the answer to just what is the maximum dual core processor I can upgrade to. I've read about others saying they've got Core 2 Duo's to work on a 9100, but I'm not going to chance it and get stuck with a large dollar amount on a processor I can't get rid of for the amount of money I spent. I see you've been a forum member since 2001. Have you run across this concern before regarding this motherboard? I sure hope you might have an answer. I've looked everywhere and get mixed messages. I look forward to hearing from you. Thanks!!
Wow, It's a lucky thing I talked to you first. Here I thought it was any dual core processor that fell under the 1066 MHZ FSB and 2 MB L2 cache. Then will I really get any advantage by going to a different processor? The one I have now is a Pentium 4 630, 3.0 GHZ (15 x 200) 800 MHZ FSB 2 MB L2 cache Hyper-Threading. I've thought,going to a Pentium D processor, I'd be able to get a little more performance on editing photos, as well as working with graphics. But now I'm not so sure going to a Pentium D will give me much more than I have already. I am upgrading the ram, which I will flash the bios for that. I'm going from 2, 512 MB 533 MHZ FSB to 4, PC2-5300 1 GB 667 MHZ FSB. They're all matching pair dual channel mode. This should make some difference. What's your opinion on upgrading to a Pentium D? Will I benefit from it? Thanks for all your support!!
One thing that puzzles me is during my search for any specs on this motherboard, I looked at Intel's site under their desktop chipsets, where I found mine. The i945p. Here it tells me pretty much everything on my motherboard. I see that it says the processors supported are Intel Core 2 Duo, Pentium 4 processors in the 90 nm process in the LGA775 Land Grid Array package or Intel Pentium D processor (supports 775-Land package). It goes on in more detail, but reading everything that this gives specs to sure seems to fit this system to a tee. Am I wrong then in assuming this information is right for my motherboard? Just wondering! Thanks Bev for all your help. Larry
That may be true for a retail motherboard, but the problem is, Dell uses a BTX proprietary custom made motherboard for the Dimension 9100, hence the reason for the Dimension 9200 that supports the Core 2 Duo.
There was a post stating that a member sucessfully installed a Core 2 Duo e6600 Conroe in their 9100, read the discussion HERE, but other members have been unsucessful with installing a Core 2 Duo in the Dimension 9100.
Remember that Dell, like the other computer OEM manufacturers, is the business of selling new computers, not upgrading them
If you want a desktop that's easily upgradable, then it's best to build your desktop, using standard retail components, same as myself and several other forum members have done.
I'm a little concerned now on which Pentium D is compatible with this board. The Dell manual says the max on the L2 Cache is 2 MB, yet I see others saying they've put Pentium D's on their board with 4 MB of L2 Cache. So then why not a Pentium D 955 Extreme 3.4 GHZ 4 MB of L2 Cache with 1066 MHZ FSB. The Pentium D 840 is the last one with 2 MB of L2 Cache. Everything above that has 4 MB of L2 Cache. What works? I should say what is suppose to work? You seem to be the one that has all the answers. I'd love to hear your advice on this topic. Thank you Bev, Larry
shesagordie
10 Elder
•
46K Posts
1
August 31st, 2011 11:00
Larzman
Either the Pentium D 950, or the D 945 should work in the Dimension 9100, but the performance upgrade you will see, may not be worth the cost of the upgrade.
Prior to upgrading the processor, you need to upgrade the BIOS to to the latest version, A03, when support for newer processors was added.
Bev.
shesagordie
10 Elder
•
46K Posts
1
September 6th, 2011 08:00
Larzman
Neither the e6700, or the e6800 are supported by the Dimension 9100.
The following CPU's are supported
Intel P4 Socket-T with Hyper-Threading.
Intel Pentium D [Presler] processors
Bev.
shesagordie
10 Elder
•
46K Posts
1
September 6th, 2011 12:00
Larzman
Yes, replacing the single core P4 630 with a Pentium D would help, but it's probably not worth the cost, it's your choice.
Regards to installing 4gb of RAM, if you have a 32-bit operating system, a 32-bit system does not recognize 4gb of memory, 3±gb is all a 32-bit system can address.
Basically what it means is, while you can install 4gb of memory in the system, the reason it’s not recognized is mainly due to 32-bit processors and/or 32-bit applications on memory address limitations.
64-bit processors & operating systems will recognize beyond the 32-bit limitation.
Personally, I would add 2 x 1gb modules to the exsisting 2 x 512mb modules, giving a total of 3gb of memory
Bev.
shesagordie
10 Elder
•
46K Posts
1
September 8th, 2011 08:00
Larzman
Larry.
Intel Pentium D [Presler] processors [Socket LGA775] are supported by the 945P chipset.
The Pentium D 955 Extreme Edition requires the Intel 975X chipset.
I found more Pentium D information HERE, that maybe worth reading.
Bev.
Larzman
5 Posts
0
September 6th, 2011 01:00
Ok, I have a question about this Dell Dimension 9100. It says that you can upgrade to dual core processors, but just which ones are compatible with this i945p chipset? How about an E6700 or E6800. I'm thinking that I'd go with the E6700, since I can get it for $69.99 compared to the E6800 for $113.89.There's not a huge difference that would justify to me to spend that much more for the E6800. I just can't seem to find the answer to just what is the maximum dual core processor I can upgrade to. I've read about others saying they've got Core 2 Duo's to work on a 9100, but I'm not going to chance it and get stuck with a large dollar amount on a processor I can't get rid of for the amount of money I spent. I see you've been a forum member since 2001. Have you run across this concern before regarding this motherboard? I sure hope you might have an answer. I've looked everywhere and get mixed messages. I look forward to hearing from you. Thanks!!
Larzman
5 Posts
0
September 6th, 2011 10:00
Wow, It's a lucky thing I talked to you first. Here I thought it was any dual core processor that fell under the 1066 MHZ FSB and 2 MB L2 cache. Then will I really get any advantage by going to a different processor? The one I have now is a Pentium 4 630, 3.0 GHZ (15 x 200) 800 MHZ FSB 2 MB L2 cache Hyper-Threading. I've thought,going to a Pentium D processor, I'd be able to get a little more performance on editing photos, as well as working with graphics. But now I'm not so sure going to a Pentium D will give me much more than I have already. I am upgrading the ram, which I will flash the bios for that. I'm going from 2, 512 MB 533 MHZ FSB to 4, PC2-5300 1 GB 667 MHZ FSB. They're all matching pair dual channel mode. This should make some difference. What's your opinion on upgrading to a Pentium D? Will I benefit from it? Thanks for all your support!!
Larzman
5 Posts
0
September 7th, 2011 00:00
One thing that puzzles me is during my search for any specs on this motherboard, I looked at Intel's site under their desktop chipsets, where I found mine. The i945p. Here it tells me pretty much everything on my motherboard. I see that it says the processors supported are Intel Core 2 Duo, Pentium 4 processors in the 90 nm process in the LGA775 Land Grid Array package or Intel Pentium D processor (supports 775-Land package). It goes on in more detail, but reading everything that this gives specs to sure seems to fit this system to a tee. Am I wrong then in assuming this information is right for my motherboard? Just wondering! Thanks Bev for all your help. Larry
shesagordie
10 Elder
•
46K Posts
0
September 7th, 2011 09:00
Larzman
That may be true for a retail motherboard, but the problem is, Dell uses a BTX proprietary custom made motherboard for the Dimension 9100, hence the reason for the Dimension 9200 that supports the Core 2 Duo.
There was a post stating that a member sucessfully installed a Core 2 Duo e6600 Conroe in their 9100, read the discussion HERE, but other members have been unsucessful with installing a Core 2 Duo in the Dimension 9100.
Remember that Dell, like the other computer OEM manufacturers, is the business of selling new computers, not upgrading them
If you want a desktop that's easily upgradable, then it's best to build your desktop, using standard retail components, same as myself and several other forum members have done.
Bev.
Larzman
5 Posts
0
September 8th, 2011 01:00
I'm a little concerned now on which Pentium D is compatible with this board. The Dell manual says the max on the L2 Cache is 2 MB, yet I see others saying they've put Pentium D's on their board with 4 MB of L2 Cache. So then why not a Pentium D 955 Extreme 3.4 GHZ 4 MB of L2 Cache with 1066 MHZ FSB. The Pentium D 840 is the last one with 2 MB of L2 Cache. Everything above that has 4 MB of L2 Cache. What works? I should say what is suppose to work? You seem to be the one that has all the answers. I'd love to hear your advice on this topic. Thank you Bev, Larry