Precision 410 - Highest Processor Possible?

Question

Hello!

I am running Windows 2000 Professional (Service Pack 3). A better operating system choice for dual processors than XP if you ask me. Before I upgraded my BIOS to revision A014, I could only upgrade my processor to 500MHz according to Dells snoop software. Right now I am running an Intel Pentium II 450MHz processor. For what I use my PC for, everything loads fast and great. But ever since I flashed it, my PC seems to be able to support a MAXIMUM speed of 900MHz if I wanted to upgrade. Is this true? Because if it is...... than I have a system I can actualy use for years to come! If not, is it higher or lower? AND, since it's NOT a uni-processor free board, but rather a DUAL PROCESSOR system, how do I upgrade? Do I need to updrage BOTH processors? (IE: 450MHz+450MHz=900MHz)

Inside the case are 2 large GREEN covers over the processors. Are they Slot 1 processors?

Lots of detailed info woold be highly apriciated! I bought this system a while back used so I don't know what the hardware limits are yet. I am also A+ certified.

Sincerely,

Kaltag Wolf

Message Edited by Kaltag Wolf on 01-12-2003 04:21 PM

cmisenko · Answer

yo wolfie:

head over to the upgrade forum.. dell will never sanction it but,,, the fastest procs for a pws410 are dual slot 1 1ghz... you can run faster procs but only single and with a slot 1 converter... tons of success with dual gigs..price has jumped in last couple months. a retail slot 1 1 ghz proc was @ $100.00 (usd). think price is upto round $170.00 (usd) but don't quote me on that. any way head over to upgrade hardware forum. read posts... theres a ton of info on upgrading to dual gigs... good luck.

Message Edited by cmisenko on 01-13-2003 03:27 PM

Kaltag Wolf · Answer

Hey cmisenko!

Wow, 1GHZ..... that's pretty amazing considering I'm sitting at 450MHz now. It's GREAT to know that I have the option to update my system quite a bit for use in the years to come. So the Precision 410 does indeed use 2 processors correct? Slot 1 type. If I'm running at 450MHz now.... does that mean I have one 200MHz processor and one 250MHz? I'm not sure how dual processors work. I'm using Windows 2000 Pro but can't see 2 processors listed when I look at the CPU usage in the taskbar? Maybe that isn't supposed to show 2. I'll end up taking a look for myself I guess sometime. I think the processor(s) is/are covered up by 2 large GREEN plastic things. I beleive their hollow tubes that go to the back of the PC and air flows through them? Not sure.

Anyways, many thanks for your post!

Later!

Kaltag Wolf

(woof-woof)

cmisenko · Answer

wolfie:

if you have dual procs,, when you bring up task mon you will see 2 graphs,, one for each cpu. when you run dual procs they must both be of the same speed and stepping . also look under that green shroud, one slot will have your proc, the other slot will have a terminator card. when you upgarde to dual procs you dump the terminator card.

icecycles · Answer

I have a PWS 410 as well. It came with dual Pentium II 450 MHz CPUs, and I bought two Pentium III 700 MHz CPUs to upgrade to. I flashed the BIOS to A14, and installed the CPUs. The motherboard sees both CPUs, but Windows (2000, XP, Server 2000, Server 2003) will only USE one CPU. Linux is the same way. I even got a replacement motherboard and it still does the same thing. In Device manager in XP, you see TWO processors under "Processors," but "System Information" and "Taskmanager" only display ONE CPU in use. The Intel CPU ids are both 681. I looked them up on intel's website, and they are supposed to be dual capable.

All I'm saying is that you may be able to upgrade past 450 MHz, but you may not get the use of two processors. That's been my experience.

ForceSHO · Answer

Did you reinstall windows or just did you just drop chips into existing windows ? old NT4 days you need to run util to upgrade from single to dual processor

in XP, bring up device manager, Under Computer goto properties, Drivers -> update drivers, select let me choose and select Multiprocessor, reboot and it'll see the second processor

ForceSHO · Answer

That is weird, are you getting non dell supply intel processors ? What speed do you have ?

icecycles · Answer

I figured out the issue.  It has nothing to do with the HAL.  I had already made sure that an ACPI multiprocessor HAL was installed.  The issue is in the voltage of the CPU.  The Precision 410 has an onboard voltage regulator that bottoms out at 1.8V.  The P3s I'm using are 1.65V.  If there was a utility to let me modify the motherboard voltage, I could probably fix it, but such a thing doesn't exist to my knowledge.

icecycles · Answer

They weren't Dell supplied CPUs. They are CPUid 681 Slot 1 Pentium III 700 Mhz 1.65V CPUs. They were brand new CPUs though. 1.65V P3s weren't uncommon as far as I could tell.

ForceSHO · Answer

yeah i had some problem with socket to slot converted p3s.. end up finding some 100 fsb slot 1 p3s and they work great in the p410... just did heatsink swap...

cmisenko · Answer

voltage not an issue. if i remember correctly my slots 1 dual gigs are 1.65v... i have a pws 410 running bios a14. i just slammed these proc's in and have been running just fine for about a year now.

icecycles · Answer

well, i'm' not sure what else it could be. i tested both CPUs individually and they both work fine. I have swapped CPUs around, switched motherboards, checked the HALs, and intel's documentation for the CPU says that it's dual capable. what else could it be? The documentation here http://docs.us.dell.com/docs/systems/deqkmt/power.htm says that the voltage regulator keeps it between 1.8V and 2.8V. That's all I know

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Precision 410 -> Highest Processor Possible?

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