Upgrading CPU on Dell Dimension 2400

LordEvan88

 The Dimension 2400 can use either 400MHz or 533MHz, Socket 478, P-4 processors with a 512k or smaller cache.

Option 1. Yes,  the P4 2.6GHz Socket 478 CPU 2.66GHz /512/533FSB processor, would be compatible with the Dimension 2400.

Option 2. No, the processor shown in the link is a Mobile unit for a laptop and would not be compatible.

For $16.95 it's a good upgrade.   :emotion-21:

As you intend to reuse the heatsink, plan on cleaning it's base and reapplying thermal compound to the processor.

Directions for cleaning and applying thermal compound, are HERE.

You only need a small tube of thermal compound, this can be purchased from any computer store.

Bev.

Thank you very much, I have a faster PC to look forward to. :emotion-4:

I just upgraded my Dimension 1100 (B110) from a celeron d 2.8 GHz to a Pentium 4 3.0E. I reckon there has been at least a 30% increase in performance, I believe the hyper threading helps in games especially.

For the price difference I would go for the best processor you can get (we're probably talking a $10 difference between best and worst).

Use wikipedia to view which ones are compatible (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Intel_Pentium_4_microprocessors#Prescott_.2890.C2.A0nm.29_2). This page also gives you the model numbers so you can quickly determine the exact specs even if the ebay listing is lacking info!!!

Mine is also a socket 478 CPU and is using 1024 kB L2 cache, 800MHz FSB etc I would go for one with that.  It will make a difference and not cost you any more.

iainbinnie

"Mine is also a socket 478 CPU and is using 1024 kB L2 cache, 800MHz FSB etc I would go for one with that.  It will make a difference and not cost you any more'

The Dimension 2400 PC's do not support processors with a 800MHz FSB, or with a 1mb [Prescott] cache, only supports Socket 478 processors with either a 400MHz or 533MHz FSB and a 512k or smaller cache.

Bev.

Thank you very much, I have a faster PC to look forward to. :emotion-4:

LordEvan88

Pleased to have helped.     :emotion-11:

Bev.

iainbinnie

Actually the B110/1100 is newer than the Dimension 2400 and has a motherboard wih an Intel 865 GV chipset and supports processors up to 800MHz FSB and 2400 motherboard has the Intel 845 GV chipset.

Both the B110/1100 and 2400 have the same chassis.

Bev.

The Dimension 2400 PC's do not support processors with a 800MHz FSB

That's surprising (and I'm sorry if I gave incorrect info above), my Dimension 1100 (seems to) run at 800MHz with 1 meg L2 cache. I assumed that the 2400 being a higher model number (and presumably newer) would support later model CPUs as well. That seems very strange!

FYI http://i30.tinypic.com/2rf5xyd.jpg

Dimension 1100 support 800FSB and 1MB L2 Cache. Dimension 2400 may not support Celeron 533FSB.

Original setup:

Dimension 1100 Celeron 2.53/533

Dimension 2400 Celeron 2.4/400 (and P4 2.53/533)

Upgraded to:

Dimension 1100 P4 2.8/800 (sSpec# SL7E3) *Success*

Dimension 2400 Celeron 2.53/533 *Failed*

I tried to remove the Celeron 2.53/533 from the Dimension 1100 and put it in the Dimension 2400. The power light remained yellow at power on, suggesting CPU incompatibility or pre-BIOS failure. The manual for the 2400 says Celeron 400FSB and Pentium 4 533FSB, but does not explicitly say Celeron 533FSB. The system worked when the Celeron 2.4/400 was reinstalled.

Has anyone successfully used a Celeron 533FSB in a Dimension 2400?

JacquesA

The Dimension 2400 can take only 400 MHz Celerons.

Bev.

jblan14

Good luck.

Bev.

Thank you for the quick reply. I'll have to check my BIOS version. I'm assuming it will need to be upgraded since I have never done so. Hopefully I don't render the mobo useless in the process.

Thanks again!

jblan14

Yes, the Socket 478, Northwood P4 3.06GHz 533MHz FSB processor, should work fine.

Prior to installing the processor you need to upgrade the BIOS to version A03 [or higher] when updated CPU microcode was added to support the latest CPUs.

Bev.

I came across this thread while looking for a possible processor upgrade for my dimension 2400.

Based on what I've read here, the upgrade below seems possible. But I'd like to confirm that before I spend any money.

Old Processor: Pentium 4 2.53 Ghz - 512 L2 - 533 FSB - Northwood 478 Socket - sSpec = SL6D8  

New Processor: Pentium 4 3.06Ghz - 512 L2 - 533 FSB - Northwood 478 Socket - sSpec =  SL6PG

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

Note: Mobo is stock.

I've now upgraded a variety of Dimension 2400 systems from Celeron 2.4/128/400 to P4 2.66/512/533 and from P4 2.53/512/533 to P4 2.8/512/533.

Using passmark v.7, the CPU speedup is marginal (2.53/2.66/2.8 yield CPU Mark scores of 334/341/369 respectively). There is more of an impact going from DDR333 to DDR400 (2.53/DDR400, 2.66/DDR333, 2.8/DDR400 yield Memory Mark scores of 338/271/381 respectively) and even more of an impact replacing the original hard drive with a WD1600AAJB or equivalent (Disk Mark of 160 old vs. 418 new).

The discarded Celeron 2.4GHz/256/400 CPUs were used to upgrade a Dimension 2350 (P4 1.6GHz) and a Dimension 4350 (P4 1.5GHz).

Since I had a use for the discarded CPUs, the value proposition was a little different, but if I only had a single system, I might replace the hard drive and put the rest of the money towards a new system. A basic Vostro 220 has a PassMark rating of 800, while a Dimension 2400 with a 2.8GHz P4, DDR400 and a new hard drive is only 242. Even if a 3.06GHz CPU gives a full 10% boost, you are still 1/3 the rating of a new system. And the latest Vostro 230 will be another jump faster again.

But yes, it should work.

Thank you for the insight Jacques. However this system is one of four I'm currently running.  The system has been upgraded over the past couple years (hard drive, graphics card, sound card, ram) and I figured if I could find a better processor for a good price I might as well drop it in. This is by no means my primary PC so spending more than $50 to keep it alive (and use as a test server for local web/database development projects) would be a waste.

Thanks again and I'll be sure to check in and confirm everything worked out once I receive the processor.