A Pentium 4 Question About Mhz of ram and processor

[silenton3]

So B4 I Ask My Question Ill Leave My Specs
Dell Precision 340
Windows Vista Ultimate 32-bit
2.2Ghz/512/400
RdRam Samsung(dell original) 2x512/400mhz ECC PC800 -40 | ELPIDA (HP RAM) 2x512/400mhz ECC PC800 - 45
Sapphire Radeon HD 2600 Pro 512 Plugged Into An Agp 4x Spot (Was Wondering If This Would Run With More Frames On Games In An agp 8x slot?)
DvD Burner -cdrw combo drive
Maxtor 7200rpm 160gb HD
Sound Blaster Live ct4830
Technical Specifications http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/s ... 1specs.htm

Ok now to my question... Well as u can imagine i want to upgrade the processor(i know it may not be worth it to upgrade this system but money is limited). My Dilema is that I was wondering if i was to get a processor running at 2.8Ghz/1m/533 if my ram would be compatible because i have the processor already and am not sure if its bad or not and if it is i want to get a new one if i can.. ive tried the processor in the machine and it turns on and DONT POST (Sign of bad chip or incompatibility? Could be both right..) If you look at that Documentation it says under microprocessor

Intel® Pentium® 4; design provides for future Dell-supported upgrades. A slower compatibility speed can be set through system setup.

I havent tried this yet but in the bios is an option for processors that says like..Normal and ...Compatibility.. do i need to try the compatibility? And If Not Compatible could you help me figure out what is?
TYIA

[dicecca112]

its not compatible. You need probably a socket 478 chip. The chip you list is socket 775. Download CPU-z and tell use what chipset the socket is, then we can advise further. My recommendation is don't bother, save your money, and upgrade the whole thing. Good new Dells can be had for 400$ or less for dual cores

Like

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http://forums.slickdeals.net/showthread ... did=876263

[silenton3]

sorry u misunderstood All this is about socket 478 the 2.2 is what i have working in the machine and the one thats not working is the p4 socket 478 2.8ghz/1m/533 SL7D8

My Chipset is i850E
Southbridge 82801BA (ich2)

Thx For The Help


come on 83 views and no help ......

[DMB2000uk]

There is a possibility that the BIOS/board doesn't support a processor that fast, but here is what I would try to attempt to get the CPU working.

1. Clear the CMOS
There will either be a clear CMOS jumper (or a CMOS battery) that you should switch over (/take out if its the battery) while the PC is unplugged, wait 30 seconds then put it back.

2. Update the BIOS
Check which BIOS version you have, there could be a newer version (check dells website for updates) which might support faster processors.

3. Try that compatibility mode thing
It can't hurt to try it.

4. Give up and save up
You can get a not bad system for pretty cheap these days, either try dell, or if you fancy try building your own. People on here will be more than happy to suggest the best parts to get for your budget.

Dan

[hnzw_rui]

Might be a RAM issue? Reading the documentation:

Memory speed:
Processors between 1.5 GHz and 2.2 GHz with a 400 FSB require 45 ns or faster memory.
Processors at 2.26 GHz or above with a 533 FSB require 40 ns or faster memory.

At the cost of RDRAM, though, I wouldn't even bother. Building or buying a budget system (~$400-500) would probably net you a noticeably faster machine.