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Dell Dimension 3000 CPU Updgrade
Hello, it is a pleasure to be part of the Dell Community now, and will hopefully be able to get some insights on my problems and to be able to give insight to others user's problems (:
For starters, right now I own and Dell Dimension 3000 series with the following specs
Pentium 4 @ 2.8Ghz (No HT)
1.5 GB RAM
Sparkle GeForce 9400GT (PCI)
What i would like to do is upgrade the RAM to the Max amount (2GB, i see). Also what i would like to do, is to upgrade the Processor. Now i see it has a Socket 478, and right now I've browsed on a
-Pentium 4 @ 3.2Ghz (with Hyperthreading) Socket 478
and a
-Pentium 4 @ 3.4Ghz (With Hyperthreading) Socket 478
I've never put in another CPU before and would like some insight on my situation, I really don't know what i'm going to have to do (You snap the new Processor in from the old one, right?). But i hear that you have to "Flash" or Update your Bios, which i really don't know how to do. Is there a way to just Snap in the new Processor and not having to worry about Flashing your Bios.
Also i see on the Driver Downloads for the Dell Dimension 3000 Series under "Bios" is an Update to A03, its the only one. So that probably is the one i'd have to update to, But it also says its "Optional"...
Any insight?
shesagordie
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May 17th, 2010 16:00
Esche93
Either the Socket 478, P-4 3.2GHz, or the P-4 3.4GHz will be fine as you can install any [Desktop] SOCKET 478 PROCESSOR Broken link has been removed from this post by Dell>
Prior to installing the processor, check that you have Version A03, when added support for newer processors was added.
The BIOS version A03 update and installation instructions can be downloaded from HERE Broken link has been removed from this post by Dell>
The procedures for replacing the processor are HERE Broken link has been removed from this post by Dell>
As you intend to reuse the heatsink, plan on cleaning it's base and applying thermal compound to the processor.
Directions for cleaning and applying thermal compound, are HERE. Broken link has been removed from this post by Dell>
You only need a small tube of thermal compound, this can be purchased from any computer store.
Bev.
Esche93
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May 18th, 2010 13:00
Thanks (: Those Installation instructions will help ALOT
shesagordie
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May 18th, 2010 13:00
Esche93
Happy to have helped.
Bev.
scprokop
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October 26th, 2010 20:00
I have a question on the same lines I guess, if I upgrade the processor to a HT processor will I have to upgrade the heat sink and the fan or will they work ok with the new processor, also do I have to stick to an 800FSB with 512mb or can I get one with 1GB?
shesagordie
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October 26th, 2010 21:00
scprokop
The default heatsink and fan will work fine with HT processors.
The Dimension 3000 Specifications are HERE Broken link has been removed from this post by Dell>
1mb Prescott CPU's should work fine.
Bev.
scprokop
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October 26th, 2010 21:00
Sorry just double checked its the Prescott so 1024kb as upposed to the 512kb laptop processors but still the question remains as above, do I have to change fans?
shesagordie
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October 26th, 2010 21:00
scprokop
Intel Laptop [Mobile] processors are not compatible with the Dimension 3000.
Bev.
rdunnill
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October 26th, 2010 22:00
I used a hyperthreading 3000 back in 2005-07 and it didn't have a special fan or heatsink.
My souped-up dual-core 3000 has a standard 92mm fan. (There are mounting holes at the back of the case.)
scprokop
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October 29th, 2010 05:00
You managed to soup up a 3000 to a dual-core? You sound like me with my GX240, never admit that anything is impossible, hence how I got a Geforce 6200 in a GX240 Small Desktop ;) I've ordered a P4 3.4/800/1mb HT so will let you guys know how it works out. Next will be the RAM and then to figure out which graphiccs card I can use, I'm thinking 9 Series without changing the PSU
rdunnill
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October 29th, 2010 18:00
I installed a third-party G41 mainboard with E6500 CPU and 2gb DDR3 RAM in mine. :)
scprokop
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November 2nd, 2010 11:00
Nice! Ok, installed the chip, only downside is he board now doesn't like wireless cards so thats no biggy I'll just hardwire it I mean a gigabit lan is faster than wireless N any way. Only othe downside is the board doesn't support anything this powerful so the bios only recognises 2.8 but still its an insane little upgrade its atleast doubled the speed without increasing the RAM so I'm very happy and the heat sink doesn't need changed either it pumps out warm air but the bottom of the case where the processor is is icy cold. This is with an A03 Bios as well.
cosmicbandito
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May 28th, 2013 09:00
I'm sick of our Apple so I dug my wife's old Dimension 3000 out of a closet and want to bring it up to speed. I've poked around on several forums including this one, what's the best approach? Just to install a new socket-appropriate CPU and max out the RAM?
What about replacing the mobo/cpu/etc with a 3rd party kit altogether? Some people make that sound impossible because of Dell proprietary concerns, but others say it'll be fine.
Thanks.
rdunnill
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May 28th, 2013 10:00
The people who say the 3000 can't take a third-party motherboard haven't tried.
The 3000 is mATX, but the front panel cables, apart from the front audio, are short. The front USB has a ninth lead that should be removed, as it can short out the power supply. The front audio cable is SoundBlaster-type, and must be modified to work with a standard Azalea header.
This 3000 is equipped with an ASRock SATA 6gb/s mainboard, Phenom II 945 quad-core CPU, 5670 DDR5 video card and Samsung 840 SSD. It's dual-booting Windows 7 and Ubuntu.