Processor and RAM upgrade query

[Jonny5isalive]

Hi all, it's good to be back! Happy new year to all. Hope someone can help.

 

I have the following currently installed:

 

VIA Technologies P4M266A (2 slots) Motherboard,

 

Pentium 4 2.8Ghz cpu, (not sure if it's HT or not)

 

1.25Gb RAM

 

 

I'm waiting for another 1 Gig RAM stick to go with the one I've already installed. I've run the Crucial memory scan and it says I can only install 2 sticks of 1Gig memory on my VIA motherboard and this is the maximum. I'd like more but if that's all I can put in then that's all I can put it. Is there any way of fooling the pc into using more memory per slot?

 

The Crucial scanner picks up the correct cpu type and running speed but doesn't suggest any brands/models to upgrade the cpu. Is there a scanner that can determine which socket type my pentium 4 is and what I can upgrade to? Does anyone know an easy way within windows of doing this?

 

I'm aware you can overclock the cpu and I'm pretty sure the decent heatsink and fan can cope with that, but does it make the OS unstable?

 

Many thanks, Jon-Paul Clarey.

[Tootech]

There isn't a scanner that I know of.

 

You really need the board make and model, but looking at the spec I would guess that the fastest would be a 3.4 - 3.6 GHz Pentium 4. which were the last ones made before they went over to Socket 775.

[Match]

You really need the board make and model,

 

VIA P4M266 - VIA Technologies, Inc.

 

There you go Tootech :) looks like to upgrade the CPU you would need to upgrade the motherboard. also it would appear that you have only two memory slots so 2 Gig is going to be the most Ram you can install, unless you replace it all with 2 X 2Gig sticks that I don't think they did in 184 pin DDR, but don't quote me on that.

[Tootech]

Isn't that the chipset specification - so for example this board that I pulled from Google uses that chipset, and I would go to Biostar's website to check their CPU compatibility list.

 

Biostar U8668 D - motherboard - micro ATX - P4M266A - Socket 478

 

That would be my way to do it:)

[Match]

Hmmm I always thought that certain chipsets would only support certain CPU's, so in this case the chipset being designed to support P4's then the Motherboard Make and model would be irrelevant, as it will only have a P4 compatible socket which would be S478 ???.

 

as in the for eg the Intel G31 chipset supports the Intel duo and Quad CPU

 

Intel G31 Express Chipset - Overview

 

and so would have to be a S775 socket.

 

But after saying that this is something that I have noticed researching different motherboard specs, and could just be that I have been lucky so far, and isn't a definite rule.

 

But if Johny5 would be kind enough to post his Motherboard Make and model or PC make and Model we will see.

 

But then this won't mean I'm right just that I have made another lucky assumption based on chipset type.

[Jonny5isalive]

Hi all, the advice and info is much appreciated. I apologise for the delay in getting back to you all on this matter. I'm know more about software than hardware unfortunately. I'm not sure if my Pentium 4 is a 478 or 775 socket to be honest. At the time of upgrading the CPU I guess I must've been lucky when I thought I'd upgrade to a faster P4. I simply looked on Ebay for a faster one than I already had and got a shop to fit it.

 

In terms of Motherboard and Chipset specs, the only info I know is posted above. The PC was supplied through the Littlewoods catalogue years ago and carries RAMCOM branding, (does this help anyone?) Internals are the original VIA Motherboard and P4 1.8. I've simply upgraded hardware from time to time and it continues to work well, most of the time.

 

How can I determine which socket type my cpu is?

 

Please get back to me if you need more info, serial numbers etc.

 

Many thanks in advance, Jon-Paul Clarey.

[Tootech]

Its a socket 478, no doubt of that.

 

Run this utility, it should tell you the motherboard maker and model

 

SIW | Download

[Match]

OK not much to go on there

 

any info like Model or name would be useful

 

Failing that try downloading and installing Everest Free Edition and see what that can tell us.

 

|MG| EVEREST Free Edition 2.20 Download

[Jonny5isalive]

Hi, I've installed SIW, just trying to upload screenshots of the info of what I've got. I've forgotten what to do through Paint! It's been ages since I last used it.

[Match]

press PRTSCRN open paint and select edit and past save image, and upload ;) that help as a quick reminder.