This post is more than 5 years old
8 Posts
0
157070
Upgrade CPU for Dimension 4600
does anyone know which P4 3.4Ghz 1 MB cache chip is compatible for a Dell Dimension 4600? Is the SL7E6 148-Pin Ok? Any others if so?
Thanks!
This post is more than 5 years old
8 Posts
0
157070
does anyone know which P4 3.4Ghz 1 MB cache chip is compatible for a Dell Dimension 4600? Is the SL7E6 148-Pin Ok? Any others if so?
Thanks!
Top
shesagordie
10 Elder
10 Elder
•
46K Posts
1
January 7th, 2010 14:00
hatflyer2
The Dimension 4600 support's Socket 478, P4 400/533/800 MHz FSB processors.
All the 4600 models will take a socket 478 CPU at 800 MHz, up to 3.0GHz and the later model 4600 will take the 3.2GHz and 3.4GHz processors, this does not offer much of a boost over the 3.0GHz.
The SL7E6 should be compatible.
If you have PC2700 memory, when you install a Prescott, you may want to replace it with PC3200.
If you are not using a Prescott processor, because it runs hotter, you should think about upgrading the heatsink.
Bev.
hatflyer2
8 Posts
0
January 7th, 2010 16:00
sorry, 1 final q.
how important is L2 cache size to performance?
i have a 2.66 ghz P4 w/ 1.25 GB ram.
i think going to 3GB ram will make the most diference, but i was also considering the cpu upgrade to 3.4 ghz too.
any final advice?
thanks so much!
shesagordie
10 Elder
10 Elder
•
46K Posts
0
January 7th, 2010 14:00
hatflyer2
There's no way of knowing if it's an early version, except maybe by the invoice, but if you install a 3.4 GHz in an early version, it will downclock.
The 4600 will support either the Northwood, or Prescott, but the Northwood runs signficantly cooler than the Prescott.
Yes, the SL7E6 is a Prescott with a 1mb cache.
Regards to the Prescott not being compatible with the 4600, Dell has validated them as compatible. See HERE
Personally, as the 4600 is an obsolete system and there may be problems with finding an heatsink for the Prescott, I would use a Northwood processor.
Bev.
hatflyer2
8 Posts
0
January 7th, 2010 14:00
bev, i was told dimension 4600 needs a northwood, that prescott isn't compatible. do u know if that's true? i have pc3200 memory.
btw, how can i tell if i have the newer 4600? mine just says 4600i.
the SL7E6 is a prescott (i think) but u say it will work?
thanks.
shesagordie
10 Elder
10 Elder
•
46K Posts
0
January 7th, 2010 15:00
hatflyer2
Yep, I guess it is, but you may have a problem locating a 3.4GHz Socket 478 Northwood, as there were not many made by Intel.
Bev.
hatflyer2
8 Posts
1
January 7th, 2010 15:00
shesagordie
10 Elder
10 Elder
•
46K Posts
0
January 7th, 2010 16:00
hatflyer2
You can read about the difference L2 cache makes, HERE
Increasing the memory and install a good AGP graphics card can also, improve performance
Bev.
rdunnill
6 Professor
6 Professor
•
8.8K Posts
0
January 7th, 2010 17:00
A good video card (I recommend the XFX 4650) and 2GB RAM should be fine. My Athlon 2600+ has those and is quite snappy with Windows 7; in fact, it will even play back Blu-ray discs flawlessly.
hatflyer2
8 Posts
0
January 7th, 2010 18:00
when u say it should be fine, do u mean even w/out the cpu upgrade, or were u refering to with the cpu upgrade?
BTW, i use this system for composing/compiling music, which at times puts ,my cpu useage at 100% and is a bit slow at times.