P4PE - Getting the most of CPU choices

[iain010100]

I have a P4P-E with a Pentium 4 1.8 MHz cpu. I'm on a budget and want
to upgrade the CPU, but I don't know if I must also upgrade the
motherboard. It wouldn't make much sense to get a 3.2 MHz processor if
the motherboard maxes out at half of that. I'd like to get the most
possible out of this motherboard with as little waste as I can get away
with, but I don't understand all the issues involved with figuring it
all out. Can someone please point me to the right place or give me some
idea on an appropriate upgrade path?

Thank you,

-- Iain

 

[Bill Smith]

That board only supports 533fsb, but you can run it @ 800mhz fsb with
only 1 stick of ddr 400, see the asus site for more info. I wouldn't
recommend it, so that leaves you with this option: Find if you can, a
2.8b and overclock it with ddr400 memory or upgrade the board. The
first choice is way cheaper and it will run anything you want,
provided your graffix is up to snuff.

 

[DaveW]

The bottom line is that Intel no longer manufactures the top end CPU's that
that motherboard used to be able to take. I own the P4PE and have a 3.06
GHz 533 FSB 512k L2 cache CPU in it and it runs very fast. But Intel no
longer makes this CPU. You might, with a BIOS update, be able to get
acurrently produced Intel Prescott 2.8 GHz 533 FSB 1 MB L2 cache CPU to
work, but that's about it. I would recommend going with a new motherboard,
if I were you.

 

[Bob Willard]

I have a P4P-E with a Pentium 4 1.8 MHz cpu. I'm on a budget and want
to upgrade the CPU, but I don't know if I must also upgrade the
motherboard. It wouldn't make much sense to get a 3.2 MHz processor if
the motherboard maxes out at half of that. I'd like to get the most
possible out of this motherboard with as little waste as I can get away
with, but I don't understand all the issues involved with figuring it
all out. Can someone please point me to the right place or give me some
idea on an appropriate upgrade path?

Thank you,

-- Iain

Would you be better off getting more RAM instead of a faster CPU?
What makes you think that CPU clock rate is the bottleneck in your PC?
Or a better VGA or more HD or ... ?

 

[iain010100]

Thanks DaveW, that's what I was sort of expecting to hear.

 

[iain010100]

Hi Bob, I've already maxed out the available RAM slots with 1.5 gb. (1
double-sided, 2 single-sided DIMMs)

 

[Custom Computers]

If you go look on Pricewatch you can still find the Intel 3.06 Ghz
533Mhz cpu. One site listed it for $210

 

[Paul]

I have a P4P-E with a Pentium 4 1.8 MHz cpu. I'm on a budget and want
to upgrade the CPU, but I don't know if I must also upgrade the
motherboard. It wouldn't make much sense to get a 3.2 MHz processor if
the motherboard maxes out at half of that. I'd like to get the most
possible out of this motherboard with as little waste as I can get away
with, but I don't understand all the issues involved with figuring it
all out. Can someone please point me to the right place or give me some
idea on an appropriate upgrade path?

Thank you,

-- Iain

Your overclocking option is here. Users have reported that the
board is "on the edge" at FSB800, and it might have to be set
at FSB796 to work. Only one DIMM can be used at DDR400. (As
you are on a budget, I cannot recommend this option, due to
the risks involved with having a good working config when
you are finished. This option is more suited to
"risk-takers".)

http://support.asus.com.tw/technicaldocuments/technicaldocuments_content.aspx?SLanguage=en-us&NO=747

The processors with the FSB800 here are Northwoods. They
will be hard to find. Similarly, the 3.06GHz/FSB533 will also
be hard to find.

http://support.asus.com.tw/cpusuppo...aspx?type=1&name=P4PE&SLanguage=en-us&cache=1

One of the analysis web sites, claimed that the 845 Northbridge,
when run at DDR400, has a lower latency measure than some of
the later dual channel boards. If an application was dominated
by the delay from CPU request, to first word of data coming back
from the Northbridge, the 845PE would win. (This only applies
to FSB800/DDR400 operation.) I have no clue as to which apps
benefit from this.

HTH,
Paul

 

[Mechanic]

I have a P4P-E with a Pentium 4 1.8 MHz cpu. I'm on a budget and want
to upgrade the CPU, but I don't know if I must also upgrade the
motherboard. It wouldn't make much sense to get a 3.2 MHz processor if
the motherboard maxes out at half of that. I'd like to get the most
possible out of this motherboard with as little waste as I can get away
with, but I don't understand all the issues involved with figuring it
all out. Can someone please point me to the right place or give me some
idea on an appropriate upgrade path?

Thank you,

-- Iain

If you're up for it, why not try the overclock route. My 2.4 has been
running rock solid at 3.2 for over a year at stock voltages without
overheating. Save some cash and a little life extension.