upgrading cpus

Randy P · Nov 23, 2004, 04:47 PM

how can I tell what type of cpu my motherboard can handle. What specs do I look for??

MiDKnYtE · Nov 23, 2004, 04:51 PM

The easiest thing is to go to the motherboard manufacturer's website. You can also look up specs by chipset.

Randy P · Nov 23, 2004, 06:30 PM

ok, but what do I look for specifically. WHat do I need to compare on the new cpu with on the mothermoard?
Is it 'pins' or something??

MiDKnYtE · Nov 23, 2004, 06:42 PM

The motherboard manufacturer's site should have all that info.

you'll need to know socket type (pins) plus the FSB, Core support, etc.

Randy P · Nov 23, 2004, 06:45 PM

OK, here's the specs from the manual. I know this is not a great motherborad, but it's what I have:

here's the cpu info:

��

Socket 478 for Intel® Micro FC-PGA2 Pentium® 4 processor

��

Support Intel® Pentium® 4 (Northwood, Prescott) processor

��

Support Intel® Pentium® 4 Processor with HT Technology *

��

Intel® Pentium® 4 800/533/400MHz FSB

��

2nd cache depends on CPU

and the chipset:

��

Intel® Chipset 865G HOST/AGP/Controller

��

Intel® ICH5 I/O Controller Hub

so can someone tell me what it can handle?

Thanks guys.

MiDKnYtE · Nov 23, 2004, 06:56 PM

you still haven't said who makes your board. you might have to do a bios update to support the higher cpus.

according to the chipset, it should take up to the 3.4G Prescott cpus. socket 478, 1mb cache, 90nm

Randy P · Nov 23, 2004, 07:08 PM

oh here it is:

GA-8IG1000MK

P4 Titan Series Motherboard

so can I still support a 3.4G?

MiDKnYtE · Nov 23, 2004, 07:10 PM

http://www.giga-byte.com/Motherboard...-8IG1000MK.htm

yep. a 3.4 will work. it's right on the Gigabyte website.

Randy P · Nov 23, 2004, 07:16 PM

so will I have to get a new cpu fan?

MiDKnYtE · Nov 23, 2004, 07:18 PM

if you get the boxed version, it should come with a heatsink and fan. I would definitely recommend upgrading your heatsink/fan if you are going from a northwood to a prescott setup. prescotts tend to run hot. Thermalright and Zalman make good ones.

Randy P · Nov 23, 2004, 07:22 PM

so what brand name is better?

MiDKnYtE · Nov 23, 2004, 07:29 PM

They are both pretty good. you would need to buy a separate fan for the thermalrights (they don't come with any). The Zalmans are quiet. you can check them out here:

www.heatsinkfactory.com

www.frozencpu.com

Randy P · Nov 23, 2004, 07:29 PM

oh, would I have to change any settings on my system?

and how would I tell if my bios needs upgrading?

MiDKnYtE · Nov 23, 2004, 07:33 PM

normally the bios would autodetect the cpu.

check the link I posted from Gigabyte. you need bios version FH at least. If you're not sure, then you can just flash it to the latest release.

Randy P · Nov 23, 2004, 07:37 PM

how do I know what mm fan to get?

MiDKnYtE · Nov 23, 2004, 07:42 PM

it depends on which model you are looking at. heatsink factory has a list of compatible fans on the description page of the heatsink. an XP-120 for example could use up to a 120mm.

http://heatsinkfactory.com/cgi-bin/H...talogno=HS-004

Frozencpu has similar info:
http://www.frozencpu.com/cgi-bin/fro...pu-tri-12.html

Randy P · Nov 23, 2004, 07:45 PM

ok what would you recommend for a 3.4 prescott? seriously my friend I have no idea about this stuff. But I am learning.

MiDKnYtE · Nov 23, 2004, 07:51 PM

I like the thermalrights, but they are kind of expensive when you factor in the fan. you need to have the space in your case also, since they are big. Zalmans are quiet and efficient. I don't think you can go wrong either way.

A Thermalright XP-90 or XP-120 or Zalman CNPS7000B-Cu would do the job well.

Randy P · Nov 23, 2004, 07:54 PM

great man, so what is the difference between prescott and northwood? which one is better?

MiDKnYtE · Nov 23, 2004, 08:04 PM

I gotta jet, so here's a quickie answer. Good Luck.

Northwood: 130nm, 512k L2 cache, 20 stage pipeline

Prescott: 90nm, 1MB L2 cache, 31 stage pipeline

http://www.tomshardware.com/cpu/20040201/index.html

http://www.anandtech.com/cpuchipsets...oc.html?i=1956

Randy P · Nov 23, 2004, 08:19 PM

great, anything else you can suggest when you get time would be great.

technonerd · Nov 23, 2004, 08:29 PM

When you buy Pentium or AMD, they mostly include the fan. The Fan with the cpu are greatly enough, so you don't need to pay extra money for the fan. If you're planning to overclock ,then it would be better to buy a different fan or liquid system.

If you're willing to spend alots of money, should get Pentium 4 3.4Ghz EE (Extreme Edition), if not get northwood rather than prescott. I perfer northwood than prescott.

Randy P · Nov 23, 2004, 09:10 PM

do you know of any Canadian sites or international sites for good prices for the cpu?

Randy P · Nov 23, 2004, 09:16 PM

just curious, why is the 3.4 EE the best and why do you think northwood is better than prescott

krips · Nov 23, 2004, 10:22 PM

The P4EE is the best because of its huge amount of cache (2mb L3?). It's basicly memory on the processor itself. The prescot has major issues with heat.
Use Pricenetwork for all of your canadian online shopping needs. It searches many, althought not all, of the online stores.
BTW, the P4EE will run you around $1100 CDN.

MiDKnYtE · Nov 23, 2004, 10:22 PM

Like i mentioned, if you get a retail boxed cpu it will come with a heatsink/fan. if you don't, then you should upgrade it. If you are going to OC, then you should upgrade the heatsink/fan.

The EE has an additional 2MB L3 cache. unless you are willing to pay $900-1000US for a cpu, then don't even bother.

Northwoods run much cooler and generally perform better until you start getting to higher clock speeds. Prescott scales up better.

I'm not in Canada, so someone else will have to contribute.

Randy P · Nov 24, 2004, 03:34 PM

yeah I think I'll go for a northwood 3.4. It's a lot cheaper and it should be good enough for gaming. Thanks you guys, you rock!

Randy P · Nov 24, 2004, 03:37 PM

Why is it so hard to find a place that sells northwoods?