Help on upgrading CPU

Question

Yeah, I know, I should just get a newer computer! But, to run Vista, I've upgraded the video board, power supply, RAM etc on my four year old Dimension 8100 desktop. The bottleneck now seems to be the processor, I have a Pentium four 1.2 GHz. How can I figure what's the max. speed chip I can put in it that will run? I'm at work, or I'd be able to put in the service tag. I think it's probably a 2 GHz model. Thanks for any info on this!!

PETER345 · Answer

It would help if you posted your model number. I would expect that CPU to seem slow. Peter

PETER345 · Answer

Don't post your service tag. Dell doesn't like it.

Here is what it says in the specs from your machine:

Microprocessor type Intel® Pentium® 4 microprocessor that runs at either 1.30, 1.40, 1.50, 1.70, 1.80, or 2.0 GHz.

So, you should be able to upgrade to at least a 2.0G. It is possible that something a bit faster will also work, but you probably need to stick with the 400M FSB.

Peter

Florida Jim · Answer

It's a Dimension 8100, with a Pentium four 1.2 GHz processor. It uses RD (Rambus) ram. Like I said, I'll enter the service tag when I get home, and maybe Dell will tell me what's the fastest processor I can run, what socket it has, etc.

ejn63 · Answer

You're better off scrapping the system and replacing it. Nothing you can do with an 8100 will make it anywhere near reasonable at running Vista.

Florida Jim · Answer

Well, like my first comment said, 'Yeah, I should get a new machine,' and I will be getting one sometime in the future. It runs Vista fine with all the features enabled, but like eveything, cars included, faster is better! Thanks for the help, I'll look around and see how much a 2 GHz chip would cost.

gdkinsman · Answer

Is it safe to assume that when changing out your cpu, there is no setting to change and the new cpu is automatically recognized for the correct speed?  Yes, I'm using compatible CPU that is 2ghz and below.

PETER345 · Answer

Putting a supported CPU is very easy.  Just plug it in and the BIOS should take care of the rest.  Make sure the thermal compound is replaced and the heat sink is installed properly. Peter

gdkinsman · Answer

Yes, it all went well.  I had a choice between two types of heat sink grease, one white and one that has silver as an adjective.  I chose the silver one hoping it was 'better'.  The cpu I took out had a piece of tape on it that was acting as a thermal conductor.  Are you familiar with the this tape and the silver heat sink material?

shesagordie · Answer

@Gary Douglas wrote:

Yes, it all went well. I had a choice between two types of heat sink grease, one white and one that has silver as an adjective. I chose the silver one hoping it was 'better'. The cpu I took out had a piece of tape on it that was acting as a thermal conductor. Are you familiar with the this tape and the silver heat sink material?

The piece of tape, is a 'Thermal Pad' and is used instead of the compound. Personally, I prefer using the thermal compound.

Instructions for cleaning the heatsink/processor and applying thermal compound are here.

Bev.

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gdkinsman · Answer

Looks like I put on probably 4 times too much.  Is it worth redoing?

shesagordie · Answer

Gary Douglas

Yes.

Bev.

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Post the issue in the appropriate Board, where they will be answered.

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Help on upgrading CPU

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