Front bus speed

Dimension 4500

Which model computer do you have?  It sounds like one that can use either a 400 mhz or 533 Mhz CPU, in which case the CPU will determine the fsb speed.

Steve

Also, before I put the old P4 back in, I went to a restore point that was before the patch. I've also learned that that will in effect, uninstall the patch and that could be why the computer is working fine now with the old CPU. I just thought I'd ask before I put the new P4 back in to see if it works now that I don't have the patch because I'm getting tired of un-connecting and re-connecting all the cords etc. etc.

4500 will support 400 or 533 FSB (FSB is dependent on the processor)  This system will not support 800 Mhz FSB though,

I had replaced the P4 1.8 with a P4 3.06 and the computer was using 88%- 100% of the CPU when only the task manager was running (and the other 46 process that run in the background). I thought my problem was because of the new P4. But just prior to adding the new P4, I had downloaded the Microsoft patch MS04-011. I just learned that that patch can cause 100% CPU usage along with a whole bunch of problems that are caused bu using the patch. So now I'm wondering if it was the patch and not the P4.

The Front Side Bus or usually referred to as FSB would depend on the specification of  motherboard and not the CPU.

tech48,

Wrong - some Dell (and Intel) motherboards have dual fsb speeds;.  The CPU determines which speed the motherboard will run at.

Steve

though this is largely unrelated to the orginal posters question...the mobo would determine the fsb of a machine. for example if you buy a 2.4 800fsb cpu but the mobo only supports up to 533fsb then you will be running at 133x12= 1586, not 2.4. also most every retail mobo, (even a cheap ecs board) has options to increase the fsb ie o/c. therefore on occasion a cpu can run faster/slower than its rated to fsb. if you bump up the bus speed of a 2.4c to 250, you will achieve a 1000fsb. this is dependant on having some good cooling and a solid mobo. though this is generally a moot point in terms of a dell. basically though, the mobo dictates the fsb. i would have to say that the original poster is very lucky in the fact that his mobo supported 533fsb and not just 400fsb or he wouldve wasted a lot of money. however i also concede that you would generally need a 533fsb processor to get 533fsb... so yes in that aspect it is cpu dependent.

Message Edited by dan39 on 04-26-2004 11:57 AM