Question before calling the tech support

Question

Hi, I have a XPS gen 4 and a couple months ago, a technician came to replace my motherboard...but the technician changed it for a gen 3 motherboard....so i was wondering if there's a difference and i should call them to get it replaced or there's no difference as long as they didn't change the processor....thanks   xavier   sorry for my english i'm french canadian

DELL-Chris M · Answer

LAMX30108200,It's the same motherboard.Gen 3 motherboard Gen 4 motherboard

clark_carty · Answer

No, it's not the same motherboard.  The Gen 3 used the 925X chipset, and the Gen 4 used the 925XE chipset which supported a 1066 FSB.  The only shipping Intel chips that use a 1066 FSB are the Extreme Edition chips.  So unless you plan on buying one ($900-$1000), you are fine.  I would still call Dell and complain that they downgraded you.

jiminie · Answer

LAMX30108200,

Please tell us how you determined you received a Gen 3 Motherboard during the replacement process. Thanks.

http://forums.us.dell.com/supportforums/board/message?board.id=game-gen&message.id=21266&query.id=420416#M21266

LAMX30108200 · Answer

Because when I strat my computer, it says XPS GEN 3 when there's the windows logo and the green loading bar..at the begining of the starting process.....and when i use the dell system information on dell's website, i can see that my computer was originally a gen 4 and now when i use their application to see what are the changes made since the original product, it says gen 3

clark_carty · Answer

Is your case silver or blue?  The switch from Gen3 to Gen4 went from blue to silver.  Also it would say Gen4 above the power button.

jiminie · Answer

LAMX30108200, Thanks for sharing on how you identify your Gen 3.  I have the Gen 4 with 1066 FSB and it has the Silver case and it says Gen 4 at the Power On Button as described by clark_carty.  Also, when I boot, I do NOT see any reference to Gen 4 during the boot process nor is there any green loading bar.  The best way to determine what Motherboard you have is to check the numbers on the board itself as described by Chris_M back in 2004 (see link above).  Chris_M says....'The six character code following CN, '0U7084' means that this is a Gen 4 XPS motherboard with the 925XE chipset. If you see either '0K3464' or '0C8180', you have the Gen 3 XPS motherboard'.  What clark_carty says as to the differences between the Motherboards is correct and I agree with clark, if you paid for a Gen 4, then you should get a Gen 4 and not be downgraded.  Dell has been very good with any transaction I have ever had with them and I would expect they will correct any oversight.  Keep us informed.  Thanks.

LAMX30108200 · Answer

Awesome!!...thank you guys...i've checked the serial # on my motherboard like you told me and it's a Gen 4 (...CN-0U7084....)....but it's a bit weird that when the guy changed it..after it was saying Gen 3 on the startup screen..and on the systeme identification on dell's website it was also  saying Gen 3....but nevermind...anyways, that's when i had the older bios version: A02...now i have the latest A07...and it only says XPS in both cases.....so i guess the serial code is the best proof....   So again, thank you guys for your support   xavier

clark_carty · Answer

You could also download CPUID (www.cpuid.com), and see if it says 925X or 925XE for the MB chipset.

DELL-Chris M · Answer

Here are the actual part numbers and descriptions from the Dell parts database:

XPS Gen 4 motherboard -
N8602 Motherboard Service Kit, XPS-G4 925XE

XPS Gen 3 motherboard -
N8602 Motherboard Service Kit, XPS-G3 925XE
T7671 Motherboard Service Kit, XPS-G3 925X

LAMX30108200 · Answer

Ok, now i'm confused...i went to CPUID.com and it says my chipset was i925X and not 925XE....but like chris said, my motherboard says the good numbersafter the CN-0U7....etc....so..is it a GEN 3 or 4 motherboard.....????

Thanks

jiminie · Answer

LAMX30108200,

I confirm to you that CPU-Z (v1.33.1) application reports the chipset as i925X on my Gen 4 3.46GHz 1066 FSB system.

I ask that you go to the CPU Tab of the CPU-Z report and look at the FSB Speed (toward bottom under Clocks) and note what you see. Mine says 266.0MHz. Now, select http://www.tomshardware.com/2004/11/01/intel/index.html and select the Chip Set Comparison Table (index at bottom of page to select a desired page) where it shows the 925XE support for 266MHz speeds. The 925X does not. The 925X can only do a 200MHz. The entire article provides a wealth of information. At this point, I am incline to think that my system has the 925XE chip set even though the CPU-Z report states 925X.

Share with us what FSB Speed CPU-Z reports for your system. Thank you.

Edit: It may be the CPU-Z report of the chipset identification may refer to the 925X family which 925XE is part of that family.

Message Edited by jiminie on 05-04-200602:27 PM

LAMX30108200 · Answer

Ok, but i just want to tell you that i have a normal intel P4 3,4ghz...so  the fbs shouldn't be the same as yours...and i use pc wizard and it says: FSB frequency (front side bus information): 199,5 MHz and FSB frequency (initial frequencies) 200 MHz....i'm sorry, i dont really know much about computers but....is it helping for knowing if i have a GEN3 motherboard or a GEN4???   thanks   By the way...before continuing arguing if i have it or not....i dont really care that they maybe downgraded me as long as you can assure me that i'm not losing any perfomance with a Gen 3 motherboard. Message Edited by LAMX30108200 on 05-04-200604:19 PM

DonMc · Answer

Had my Gen 4 blow a system board several days ago.  Had it replaced   I received the Gen 3 reference on Dell startup screen and in the BIOS as well.   I updated the  BIOS to the A07 version and all references to Gen 3  were resolved.  My Bios just says Dell System now.     Also I have found an issue between the board in the system and the chipset just as you did.   The Gen 3 is supposed ot have the i925X chipset and the Gen4 the i925XE.  According to the serial number on the board I have a Gen 4 board, yet PC Wizard, SiSoft Sandra and the Intel Chipset Identifier all state I have the i925X chipset.   I was told by a dell tech tonight the board was not installed correctly and a tech would be calling my home to make the adjustment.  What adjustment that may be I do not know other than some jumper setting.     I have run CPU-s which identifies the i925x chipset and clock speeds of 199.5 MHZ and Bus Speeds of 798 MHz  not the 166 expected.   So it looks as Dell has made a few changes and purchasers of the Gen4 system who have sys board replacements might not be aware or there was some installation issue at the time of the board replacement.  .   It is a downgrade and I am sure Dell will correct this when one brings it to their attention. Message Edited by Dave-McClain on 05-09-200610:20 PM

DonMc · Answer

Then Chris if this is not true, then Dell tech support issues wrong information. Who would have guessed? LOL! The tech told me specifically the board was wired wrong.

Found this article which states the Gen4 specifically employs the 925XE chipset and thus is the reason the Gen 4 differs form the Gen 3. Acccording to what you have stated, then there would be no difference in the Gen 4 and Gen 3 whatsoever except a name and higher price.

http://compreviews.about.com/od/perfdesk/gr/DimensionXPS4.htm

extracted:

Guide Review - Dell Dimension XPS (Gen 4)

12/21/04 - Dell's Dimension XPS Generation 4 is not much different from the third generation model that introduced a lot of new features. The only real different is the move from a 925X to 925XE chipset that allows for the higher front side bus speeds of the latest processors.

OK Chris, I looked at the tech specs Dell laid out on the Gen 4 on their own webpage at

http://www.dealtime.com/xPF-Dell_Dimension_XPS_Gen_4_Desktop_Computer_P4_3_40GHz_512MB_80GB

It specifically states the chipset in the system is the Intel 925X Express

Message Edited by Dave-McClain on 05-10-200611:58 AM

DELL-Chris M · Answer

Not true.

Gen 3 motherboards with the Intel 925X Express chipset -
T7671
N8602 For systems w/exteme edition procs

Gen 4 motherboard with EITHER the Intel 925X Express or Intel 925XE Express chipset -
N8602 For systems w/exteme edition procs

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Question before calling the tech support

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