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General discussion

upgrade 1.6 MHz Pentium CPU?

Oct 15, 2004 2:22AM PDT

Dear Friends, I am running a 1.6 Pentium 4 and I was thinking about investing in a faster CPU. They are surprisingly hard to find. I found a place which can sell me a 2.4 MHz for $159, but the tech recommended a 3.06 Mhz for $199. Although my mainboard sports a 400 MHz FSB he says the 3.06, designed for 533, will run on it. Do you suppose either is worth it?

Discussion is locked

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Re: upgrade 1.6 MHz Pentium CPU?
Oct 15, 2004 2:32AM PDT

I'm going to write no.

My kid's machine went from 2.0 GHz to 2.8 and that didn't pay back much. What did pay off was a newer video card. He went from a GeForce 2 GTS (64MB?) to a GeForce 5500 with 256MB. That was about 99 bucks and for the games exactly what was needed.

With further price erosions, I would now get the 5700...

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Point? It depends on the rest of the machine and what the goal is.

Bob

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Re: upgrade 1.6 MHz Pentium CPU?
Oct 15, 2004 11:48AM PDT

Most P4 systems/motherboard that came with 1.6Ghz processor are just not designed for the new higher end procesors.

You need to tell us what motherboard you are using, exact brand and model, or the exact system model. Things have changed a lot since the early P4's, you almost definitely have RDRAM and your processor choices are limited.

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Re: upgrade 1.6 MHz Pentium CPU?
Oct 17, 2004 7:13AM PDT

1. I have updated my profile with more system specs.
2. I believe I could update my CPU to a Northwood 2.6.
3. I am also looking at overclocking it to 1.9 MHz, the max recommended by the book. I am not sure as yet whether I can do this in the BIOS screen or it requires something else in hardware switches.
4. Several problems or malfunctioning programs are causing me to hesitate before upgrading further.
5. The system is not that old, it was the low-end P4 model of the batch at the local geek store.
6. I hope the procedure of my reply to my message was correct. Thanks.

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Re: upgrade 1.6 MHz Pentium CPU?
Oct 17, 2004 10:46PM PDT

Your system specs belong in your message not in your profile. Can't find an ECS motherboard by the model you mention.

If you have a 478 pin 1.6 then you can probably move up to a faster one.

Don't expext to safely overclock a P4 processor, , you can try running the BUS faster but the multiplier clock is locked. You are unlikely to get the system to remain stable at a higher bus speed.

If you have problems you should describe them in your message.

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Re: upgrade 1.6 MHz Pentium CPU?
Oct 17, 2004 10:58PM PDT

You have three versions of that board
Model:M925G ver8.0 & 9.1b - Model:M925ALU v7.3

http://www.pcchips.com.tw/PCCWeb/Support/CPU_Support.aspx?DetailID=231&MenuID=48&LanID=0

Look beside M/B model name for version. Use this to determine CPU. And for best results go with the fastest CPU.
_____________________________________________________

Don't overclock, Better than even chance of rendering your system inopertable.
_____________________________________________________

"Several problems or malfunctioning programs" Meaning?

PCChips ....
not well known for relibilty or stability.

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Re: upgrade 1.6 MHz Pentium CPU?
Oct 19, 2004 2:56AM PDT

Update: An investigation of my hardware reveals a new problem with the CPU: Pulling one of the retaining levers causes no tension, that is the clip is broken....Feeling around I find a little piece of broken plastic at the bottom. Consequently, the heatsink is not seating firmly and this may be causing overheating. Efforts to remove the clip have failed. I will have to take it in for repair and maybe then I can get a new CPU if cost-effective.