Looking For Max CPU Support For Dell Machine

[flynempire]

Hi, need to see if I can upgrade an older Dell system and I did get an answer at the Dell forum but wanted to post here also.

Here is the info on the machine:

 

• Model: Dimension 8300
• Service Tag: <<censored by mod for security reasons>>

I was told 3.4GHz max either Northwood or Prescott. Now I know there are some Prescotts that have 2 MB of L2 Cache. I would love to give this machine that type of processor if it could support it.

I looked at the documents there but could not find much. If anyone can find the right info and pass it along I would appreciate it.

[xendrome]

Socket 478 Northwood C 3.4GHZ should work on it with the latest bios udate, 800mhz bus on that CPU

 

pop your case and make sure your ram is DDR-400, if not your going to have to change the ram also.

And are you running A07? what is your manufacture date?

[flynempire]

It has A07. Ram is DDR-400. So no on Prescott then?

[xendrome]

It has A07. Ram is DDR-400. So no on Prescott then?

 

Prescott runs super hot compared to Northwood, but either should work, what is the ship date on the system?

[flynempire]

OK good to know.

 

• Ship Date: 2/25/2004
• Warranty end date: 2/25/2007

[Joe User]

You should be able to put in one of the P4 EE 3.4 GHz (Socket 478) chips into this, which is as fast as you're going to get.

 

But remember that this system will not work with Windows 8 or later. You might want to re-think spending money on it.

[flynempire]

It currently works with Windows 7 SP-1 right now. I do not plan to go further than this, It is not mine but a friends.
 

The only reason I plan to spend any money on it is because of how cheap the CPU's are on eBay. I actually bought 2 Processors for two other Dell Dimensions not 8300 though and with free shipping I paid only 12 bucks total for both CPU.

That was too good to pass up.