One last upgrade for Dell 8300, 478 MB

[paJAMbla]

I doubled my memory to 2 gigs, added another 160gig HD, and plan to replace my AGP 6800gs video card with the 7800gs. I have one final upgrade I am considering: replacing my P4 2.8 ghz cpu with a 3.4. My question is whether or not I will see enough increase in speed & performance to make it worthwhile.

http://item.express.ebay.com/NEW-Intel-P4-3-4-GHz-Socket-478-800FSB-1MB-PRESCOTT_W0QQitemZ250086406150QQihZ015QQcmdZExpressItem

Thanks

[glc]

I question whether it's compatible. You won't notice much of a difference even if it is. I also question whether the PSU can handle a 7800GS.

[paJAMbla]

Thanks GLC. I had read a long time ago...I think on Dell's forum, that P4 upgrades similar to what I'm thinking of doing aren't usually worth it. I just wanted confirmation from this forum on a jump from 2.8 to 3.4. And maybe its not compatible anyway...just assumed it was cuz of it being socket 478.

I forgot to mention that I upgraded my psu last year to one of the Dell compatible psu's from pc power & cooling.

[flanzig1]

For a 7800GS, need at least a 400w supply with 20amps on the +12v.

The Dell 8300 is listed as supporting up to a 3.4 P4 but probably need a BIOS up date depending on your version.

[paJAMbla]

I'm fine on the psu. My current cpu has L2 cache of 512. The current cpu's I'm looking at, like the one referred to above, are 1mb L2 cache. Will that make a difference in terms of compatibility?

[glc]

Yes, the 1mb cache models are Prescott core - the 512k cache is Northwood.

Found on the Dell forums:

Not all 8300s will take the 3.4 CPU - be sure you have return privileges in case you get the "unsupported processor detected - system running at 2.8 GHz" message. The later run of 8300s will take the 3.4 - the earlier ones will not.

[paJAMbla]

I have investigated and apparently I can go as high as a 3.4 cpu. People with my same 8300 have even put in Prescotts. However, I'm concerned about apparent heat issues so to be safe I would only do it if I can find another Northwood @ 3.4ghz. Can anyone tell me where I can find a socket 478, Northwood, 3.4 cpu? So far, I can only find them on ebay and I have some reluctance where ebay and computer parts are concerned.

[glc]

3.4 Northwoods are scarce and not cheap.

http://www.starmicro.net/detail.aspx?ID=543

[paJAMbla]

Pretty riDICulous for a processor that dated and not even made anymore.

Thanks for the link though.