If I seem faster it’s because I am
I replaced my 2.4 gig Intel processor with a 3 gig. It wasn’t problem free.
My logic board has the 478 processor socket which is getting a bit old. The only processor available, from my supplier of choice, was the 3 gig. I’m thinking the 578 socket is near end-of-life and I’m not sure how much longer I’ll be able to get replacements. I could buy a new logic board, processor and faster memory, but probably not for the $107 the processor cost. Anyway, that was my thinking. I’m hoping this will extend the life of my system by a year or two.
I installed the processor and a new Zalman cooling system on my Asus P4P800 Deluxe logic board – nothing, it’s dead. I put the old processor back in – runs great. Hmm, I put the new processor back in – nothing. A lot of research on the internet led me to believe I needed to flash my bios. That wasn’t pretty either, but eventually I was able to update my bios from version 1005 to 1019 and the new processor worked wonderfully.
Does the extra 600 MHz make a big difference? Naa. It’s a little faster booting and everything is a bit snappier and that’s it. It didn’t seem slow to me before. It’s a little more not-slow now.
The new Zalman cooling system wasn’t as exciting as I’d hoped. It was supposed to be very quiet. I guess my old Intel fan wasn’t all that noisy after all because it’s not quieter now. I’ve turned down the Zalman fan speed and it’s fine, though I can still hear it.
This processor runs hot they say. It’s idling at about 37c and at load is in the mid 40s. I’m keeping my eye on it. They say the top end is 86c. If it gets more than 47 I’ll turn the fan speed up. Wish me luck.