Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community  

Go Back   Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community > Interests > Tilted Technology


 
 
LinkBack Thread Tools
Old 07-29-2006, 08:40 PM   #1 (permalink)
Insane
 
Questions about how to upgrade the speed of my Dell PC

I know my following question(s) is most likely very basic and is going to sound really stupid to you guys; however, i'm not a computer hardware-type guy. I know how to use programs but when it comes to the guts/innards of a computer, i know just enough to cause tremendous damage to my computer. So, at that point, I stop, and ask questions to people who DO know the answers.

Anyways, I am currrently running a Dell Dimension 4550 Intel P4 CPU, 2.00 GHz, DIM 4550, 768 RAM.

I want more speed. I feel the need for speed. My kids are running a 2.8 and 3.0. Quite frankly, i'm jealous.

I know i can increase memory. I already installed a 512 memory card. I can my memory capacity up to 2 gigs, if memory serves me right. (but dont quote me on that).


MY QUESTION IS THIS: Is is possible for me to remove the existing P4 2.00 GHz processor and replace it with a faster P4 chip?


Is it possible? Would it be better to just buy a new computer? (which i dont want to do). If I replace the processor, will it screw up other things (my computer technical term) going on?

Any logical answers would truly be appreciated. Thanks in advance.
Mobo123 is offline  
Old 07-30-2006, 12:13 AM   #2 (permalink)
Devils Cabana Boy
 
Dilbert1234567's Avatar
 
Location: Central Coast CA
Yes it is.

do you know what socket the chip is?

if not run this program and tell us what it says

http://www.cpuid.com/download/cpu-z-135.zip

Being a 2.0 places it pretty old, you can defiantly upgrade, but what you can upgrade to is in question.

but to get more speed, a new computer would be best.
__________________
Donate Blood!

"Love is not finding the perfect person, but learning to see an imperfect person perfectly." -Sam Keen
Dilbert1234567 is offline  
Old 07-30-2006, 05:32 AM   #3 (permalink)
Adequate
 
cyrnel's Avatar
 
Location: In my angry-dome.
It should be a socket 478. 845PE chipset. Faster 478 P4's are available but you're somewhat at the mercy of it being a Dell and their model of expecting you to buy another system. You could install another processor only to find the BIOS won't support it. You could buy a newer motherboard that supports faster processors but find it won't physically fit in the non-standard Dell case.

I wouldn't expect big improvements out of that system though some of the parts may help you build something far better. Or you may find that your primary applications benefit more from upgraded video than a faster processor. That Dell is supposed to have a standard AGP 4X slot...
__________________
There are a vast number of people who are uninformed and heavily propagandized, but fundamentally decent. The propaganda that inundates them is effective when unchallenged, but much of it goes only skin deep. If they can be brought to raise questions and apply their decent instincts and basic intelligence, many people quickly escape the confines of the doctrinal system and are willing to do something to help others who are really suffering and oppressed." -Manufacturing Consent: Noam Chomsky and the Media, p. 195
cyrnel is offline  
Old 07-30-2006, 11:03 AM   #4 (permalink)
Insane
 
Sooooo, in other words, I'm screwed? Guys, i can find a P4 2.8 Intel processor socket 478 for $30 at Frys. (I called). But you guys mentioned the BIOS. I havent a clue what that is and how a new chip would effect that.

Am i right in saying the Dell makes their equipment in such a manner that it is impossible to use upgrades that is not Dell?

Btw, i ran that proggy. Pretty neat little program. Intel Pentium 4, Code Name Northwood, Brand ID 9, Package, mPGA 478.

Last edited by Mobo123; 07-30-2006 at 11:07 AM..
Mobo123 is offline  
Old 07-30-2006, 11:40 AM   #5 (permalink)
Kick Ass Kunoichi
 
snowy's Avatar
 
Location: Oregon
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mobo123
Am i right in saying the Dell makes their equipment in such a manner that it is impossible to use upgrades that is not Dell?
No. I have a Dell and I've been able to upgrade my system without problems, and I'm looking at replacing my motherboard in another few months. Totally not worried about it--every mobo I've looked at so far will fit in my case.
__________________
If I am not better, at least I am different. --Jean-Jacques Rousseau
snowy is offline  
Old 07-30-2006, 12:17 PM   #6 (permalink)
Devils Cabana Boy
 
Dilbert1234567's Avatar
 
Location: Central Coast CA
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mobo123
Sooooo, in other words, I'm screwed? Guys, i can find a P4 2.8 Intel processor socket 478 for $30 at Frys. (I called). But you guys mentioned the BIOS. I havent a clue what that is and how a new chip would effect that.

Am i right in saying the Dell makes their equipment in such a manner that it is impossible to use upgrades that is not Dell?

Btw, i ran that proggy. Pretty neat little program. Intel Pentium 4, Code Name Northwood, Brand ID 9, Package, mPGA 478.
What is the FSB on that chip? 800, 533, 400? I’d bet money that your system is running at 400mhz, if the 2.8 is 533, it would cause problems if the board can not handle 533 fsb, and there is no way it would handle a 800 MHz fsb. Also you may need a larger heat sink and fan to compensate for the additional heat.
__________________
Donate Blood!

"Love is not finding the perfect person, but learning to see an imperfect person perfectly." -Sam Keen
Dilbert1234567 is offline  
Old 07-30-2006, 04:18 PM   #7 (permalink)
I want a Plaid crayon
 
Plaid13's Avatar
 
i agree with the whole you may be able to upgrade it thing. the bios is basicly the software thats in a chip on the motherboard that tells your computer what to do when it boots up. where to look for drives what to do to look for the operating system if its a toaster or a hamster or a dell that sort of real basic stuff.

In all honesty i wouldnt bother upgrading that thing. you might get a little more speed out of it after the hassle and a little cash but its just streching out your misery.
Depending on what you do with your computer you might be able to build yourself a new one for a few hundred dollars thats faster. recycling some stuff from your current computer of corse. keyboard moniter speakers mouse that sort of thing.

If your not big into gaming you can build a computer real cheap and from that you could upgrade easy for a long time. Having something thats easy to upgrade is really important with computers just because of how fast they get outdated.

If you cant afford to build a whole new computer now i would just wait and not mess with what you have untill you can save up some cash and build a decent system. If you can afford to put together something now this crazy forum is a great place to get advice on what the best bang for the buck combo would be.
Plaid13 is offline  
Old 07-30-2006, 05:55 PM   #8 (permalink)
Insane
 
good advice all around. thanks guys.
Mobo123 is offline  
Old 08-06-2006, 11:08 PM   #9 (permalink)
Addict
 
Location: Chicago
Few things about Dells:

They go to great lengths to direct customers who are interested in upgrading to do so through them. They make matters very difficult for upgrading, while with some systems it may be done, others it may not be possible. I've seen systems with PSUs that will handle only what is in the system. Those same systems have the ONLY FAN IN THE CASE attached via shroud over the processor. It is a very risky business to alter anything in those cases. Furthermore, if you're seeking performance, get out of Dell immediately. You know those wonderful rock bottom prices? They get there by cutting costs on components.

Things to salvage: Monitor (if you're happy with it - if you have an older monitor and you're purchasing a new system, you may not be able to fully utilize your new rigs abilities)
Keyboard
Mouse
Mouse pad (they probably charged you $15 for it when you purchased the computer)
__________________
Where dem bitches at?
Atomic Pinkie is offline  
Old 08-07-2006, 04:51 AM   #10 (permalink)
Tone.
 
shakran's Avatar
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mobo123
Am i right in saying the Dell makes their equipment in such a manner that it is impossible to use upgrades that is not Dell?

What Dell (and most other manufacturers) does is to use either a non-standard or a baby-ATX case. So sometimes if you swap the wrong thing you'll find that your stuff doesn't fit in the case anymore.


Frankly in your situation I'd either get a new computer (they're cheap nowadays) or if you want REAL quality and speed, build one yourself.
shakran is offline  
Old 08-08-2006, 11:24 AM   #11 (permalink)
Tilted Cat Head
 
Cynthetiq's Avatar
 
Administrator
Location: Manhattan, NY
I just built a Intel Core 2 Duo 2.13 1Gb Nvidia 7300 256MB, 16X Dual Layer DVD burner, 250Gb HD ASUS Mobo for $799
__________________
I don't care if you are black, white, purple, green, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, hippie, cop, bum, admin, user, English, Irish, French, Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Buddhist, Muslim, indian, cowboy, tall, short, fat, skinny, emo, punk, mod, rocker, straight, gay, lesbian, jock, nerd, geek, Democrat, Republican, Libertarian, Independent, driver, pedestrian, or bicyclist, either you're an asshole or you're not.
Cynthetiq is offline  
 

Tags
dell, questions, speed, upgrade

Thread Tools

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On



All times are GMT -8. The time now is 06:25 AM.

Tilted Forum Project

Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Search Engine Optimization by vBSEO 3.6.0 PL2
© 2002-2012 Tilted Forum Project

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 110 111 112 113 114 115 116 117 118 119 120 121 122 123 124 125 126 127 128 129 130 131 132 133 134 135 136 137 138 139 140 141 142 143 144 145 146 147 148 149 150 151 152 153 154 155 156 157 158 159 160 161 162 163 164 165 166 167 168 169 170 171 172 173 174 175 176 177 178 179 180 181 182 183 184 185 186 187 188 189 190 191 192 193 194 195 196 197 198 199 200 201 202 203 204 205 206 207 208 209 210 211 212 213 214 215 216 217 218 219 220 221 222 223 224 225 226 227 228 229 230 231 232 233 234 235 236 237 238 239 240 241 242 243 244 245 246 247 248 249 250 251 252 253 254 255 256 257 258 259 260 261 262 263 264 265 266 267 268 269 270 271 272 273 274 275 276 277 278 279 280 281 282 283 284 285 286 287 288 289 290 291 292 293 294 295 296 297 298 299 300 301 302 303 304 305 306 307 308 309 310 311 312 313 314 315 316 317 318 319 320 321 322 323 324 325 326 327 328 329 330 331 332 333 334 335 336 337 338 339 340 341 342 343 344 345 346 347 348 349 350 351 352 353 354 355 356 357 358 359 360