Upgrading the CPU

[deepgrewal22]

I have a Pentium 4, 1.6GHz, 400MHz (FSB), Socket 478 processor which I want to replace with a faster processes of similar specifications.

Without wanting to and without having to change the motherboard, I was thinking of purchasing a processor with all of the same specs except the clock speed.

I have already flashed the BIOS to the latest edition available. I found a processor that runs at 2.4GHz and has the same specifications.

Will this make a huge difference? I realize that I may have to reinstall Windows XP over again and perhaps other software.

Please comment with your advice and suggestions. Thanx...

Deep Grewal
"Microsoft Works" - oxymoron

 

[wolluf]

Assuming your board supports the faster cpu, you can just replace old cpu with new - should be no need to reinstall anything, it should just work.

But, I doubt you'll see much performance improvement for most use (some apps are mainly 'processor bound' - these will run faster - but most are affected mainly by slowest component - which is not the processor. You don't mention how much RAM you have - presume running XP - should be at least 512MB for XP - or use of machine).

 

[deepgrewal22]

Good point. I should provided a better box profile:

IBM NetVista A22p (Type: 6823-11U)
Pentium IV 1.6GHz (400MHz FSB)
IBMIBM Motherboard (400MHz)
1.12GB PC133 SDRAM
160GB 7200 RPM IDE HDD(1)
80GB 7200 RPM IDE HDD(2)
WriteMaster DVD+/-RW, CD+/-RW
USB 2.0 Ports


I thought that Windows XP associated the CPU with the Serial Key for the O/S and could detect when the CPU had changed within the same installation of the O/S to hamper "illegal" distribution of OEM version software.

The malware and virus profile is also clean. I know this is a debatable topic for geeks and can get you into a barfight, but my machine is pristine. I also re-image a complete and pristine image of the system onto the hard drive yearly.

I ordered the new CPU just about 2 hours ago and am eager to see what happens. It only cost about $50.

Deep Grewal
"Microsoft Works" - oxymoron

 

[BadBigBen]

I thought that Windows XP associated the CPU with the Serial Key for the O/S

it may...

[b]Can hardware components be changed and upgraded?[/b]
Product Activation is able to tolerate a certain degree of change in a hardware configuration by allowing a current hash value to have a degree of difference from the hash value that was originally activated. As a result, users can change their hardware without the product believing it is on a different PC than the one it was activated on. If the user completely overhauls the hardware making substantial hardware changes (even over long periods of time), reactivation may be required. In that case, users may need to contact to contact a Microsoft customer service representative by telephone to reactivate.

[b]How does product activation determine tolerance? In other words, how many components of the PC must change before I am required to reactivate?[/b]
Common changes to hardware such as upgrading a video card, adding a second hard disk drive, adding RAM or upgrading a CD-ROM device will not require the system to be reactivated.

Specifically, product activation determines tolerance through a voting mechanism. There are 10 hardware characteristics used in creating the hardware hash. Each characteristic is worth one vote, except the network card which is worth three votes. When thinking of tolerance, it's easiest to think about what has not changed instead of what has changed. When the current hardware hash is compared to the original hardware hash, there must be 7 or more matching points for the two hardware hashes to be considered in tolerance. If the network card is the same, then only 4 additional characteristics must match (because the network card is worth 3, for a total of 7). If the network card is not the same, then a total of 7 characteristics other than the network card must be the same. If the device is a laptop (specifically a dockable device), additional tolerance is allotted and there need be only 4 or more matching points. Therefore, if the device is dockable and the network card is the same, only one other characteristic must be the same for a total vote of 4. If the device is dockable and the network card is not the same, then a total of 4 characteristics other than the network card must be the same.

[b]Are the changes cumulative? In other words, if I change one component today and one tomorrow, is that two component changes?[/b]
The changes are cumulative; however, if a user is asked to reactivate, the hardware profile is reset to that new configuration.

[b]What are the 10 hardware characteristics used to determine the hardware hash?[/b]
The 10 hardware characteristics used to determine the hardware hash are: Display Adapter, SCSI Adapter, IDE Adapter, Network Adapter MAC Address, RAM Amount Range (i.e. 0-64mb, 64-128mb, etc), Processor Type, Processor Serial Number, Hard Drive Device, Hard Drive Volume Serial Number, CD-ROM / CD-RW / DVD-ROM.

source: Microsoft Product Activation: Frequently Asked Questions

http://www.microsoft.com/piracy/basics/activation/mpafaq.asp

Ben

"If it works don't fix it! If it doesn't use a sledgehammer..."

 

[cdogg]

As Ben's reference suggests, changing the processor only is fine.

It is worth noting that in the event that you are asked to reactivate, a phone call to Microsoft and a very brief explanation is all it takes. They won't turn you down...


On a side note, you are the unfortunate victim of a Pentium 4 motherboard that only supports PC133. Intel made the crazy decision in the early days of the P4 to manufacture a cheap alternative to Rambus RDRAM. Unfortunately PC133 just couldn't cut it. Though it was still faster than many PIII solutions at the time, it was far from the rest of the P4 pack. A faster CPU may buy you a little more time for now, but for that PC the end is near I'm afraid!!

On the bright side, you've saved money holding on for this long and in the end after you eventually do a complete system overhaul, you'll be pleased with the difference that a new system makes...

~cdogg
"Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results." - Einstein
[tab][navy]For posting policies, click [/navy]here.

 

[deepgrewal22]

BadBigBen,
Thanx for finding such a thorough and nice-to-know excerpt on the topic at hand. I never knew about the voting system.

cdogg,
Yes, I have modified almost everything in the box since I first bought it. PC133 SDRAM is not the best and you do have my strategy correct about upgrading the current box to the max. I am reluctant to buy a new box and would rather build one myself. With all of the work that I put into the current box, it's difficult to scrap it and buy a new one. I don't want anything to do with Vista either. I will skip the entire O/S and stick to Linux and XP.


Deep Grewal
"Microsoft Works" - oxymoron

 

[BadBigBen]

deepgrewal - 'twas a quick search on google...

With all of the work that I put into the current box, it's difficult to scrap it and buy a new one.

unfortunately, you'll end up scrapping most of it, except the HDD and optical drive perhaps (but these I would scrap aswell)...

the reason being that most components from then do not integrate at all into modern PC's...

the good thing about building the pc yourself, is the fact that you can build it to the standard you want, far cheaper than comparable prebuild units...



Ben

"If it works don't fix it! If it doesn't use a sledgehammer..."

 

[cdogg]

I'm not sure that "far cheaper" is as true today as it used to be once you factor in the cost of the OS, shipping, and time. But of course having the option of hand-picking each part is definitely to your advantage...

~cdogg
"Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results." - Einstein
[tab][navy]For posting policies, click [/navy]here.

 

[tf1]

I think you will find that the CPU upgrade will only make a marginal improvement. Your NetVista PC is a fine balance of components and to get any significant improvements will not be simple.

The motherboard limits you to a 400MHz FSB, PC133 memory and IDE hard drives. These components fit together nicely without any obvious bottleneck.

So installing anything significantly faster is either prohibited because they won't work with your system (SATA2 drives, DDR2 memory, etc.) or will simply be too fast for the other components.

By all means fit a 2.4GHz Northbridge processor: the improvement will only be small and won't be too misbalanced against the rest of the system. Make sure it really is cheap though: £10 or £15 at the most. And watch out for hyperthreading though: does it work on this motherboard?

Start saving pennies for a major upgrade!


Regards: tf1

 

[wahnula]

Start saving pennies for a major upgrade!

My vote goes with tf1. The benefits of a faster CPU will be minimal. 2.4-2.53GHz Northwoods are not Hyper-theadeaded CPUs.

Tony

Users helping Users...

 

[deepgrewal22]

Thanx for the continuous feedback. I paid about $50 (USD) for this 2.4GHz CPU which should be arriving soon. At this point, even a $50 cost is worth it for a slightly better performing CPU. It is really to peg (100% usage) my current CPU. With the additional 0.8GHZ, I'm hoping to make this better.

I have had the resources to purchase a new PC or build a new PC for years. I'm just hangin' on, I suppose.

Deep Grewal
"Microsoft Works" - oxymoron

 

[SimonDavies]

Out of interest what are you running that's causing the CPU to suffer like that? Its unusual finding an app that does something like this these days (yes I understand it's a slow processor but even so).

SimonD.

The real world is not about exam scores, it's about ability.

 

[deepgrewal22]

Usually when I launch FireFox 2.x.x, it causes high CPU usage during regular browsing (no direct file downloads or anything). Also programs such as SpyBot and even the installation of USB devices (cameras, mp3 players) for synchronization or file transfer also load the processor.

I was able to install the new processor over the weekend and now I feel like I have a new computer. CPU usage is normal and everything is running faster and smoother. Even simple games run wihtout minor glitches/pauses/blips.

Deep Grewal
"Microsoft Works" - oxymoron

 

[cdogg]

Out of curiosity, did you do a clean install of Windows when you replaced the CPU?

~cdogg
"Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results." - Einstein
[tab][navy]For posting policies, click [/navy]here.

 

[deepgrewal22]

cdogg,

No, I plan on doing a clean install and imaging the installation after Windows XP SP3 is out of beta.

Deep Grewal
"Microsoft Works" - oxymoron

 

[cdogg]

Ah, OK then. I'm glad to see you got your $50 out of it!!

 

[Johnthephoneguy]

I tried this route myself in the past, I was never happy until I had replaced the CPU, MB and the RAM and really improved the system. I think in the long run you will wish you had spent that 50 on a new MB and trashed the old system.

JohnThePhoneGuy

"If I can't fix it, it's not broke!

 

[deepgrewal22]

The motherboard is a proprietary unit which is installed in a proprietary case. I would have to buy a new motherboard from IBM and, possibly, a new case from IBM. The form factor is not a universal and generic one, but instead is customized to the specs that IBM designed.

Deep Grewal
"Microsoft Works" - oxymoron