Pick an Intel CPU

Matching your processor and motherboard's Front Side Bus (FSB) is absolutely required for your system to function. In addition to the speed of the FSB, also make sure you pick the correct CPU socket. Both the socket and FSB must match to ensure your new processor will function.

Steps

  1. Identify your motherboard's FSB speed(s). Motherboards will supports several bus speeds, but a processor will only support one speed. A motherboard listed as supporting 533/800MHz FSB will support either a 533MHz or 800MHz, but not higher or lower.
  2. Identify what socket your motherboard has. All Pentium 4 Processors are not created equal, there are at least three different processor pinouts.
  3. Older Pentium 4 Processors use socket 423; this socket is easily identified because the CPU is the largest.
  4. A recently discontinued socket, 478, is much smaller than socket 423.
  5. The latest socket is known as either 1366, or LGA, and is easily identified because the CPU does not have any pins on it; the motherboard contains the pins and the CPU has the "socket."
  6. After identifying your FSB and socket, you need to make sure that the specific model of CPU is supported on your motherboard. Many 775 motherboards will not accept a dual-core CPU, even though dual-core CPUs use the 775 socket. Some other motherboards will only work with 65nm Quad-Cores but will not work with 45nm Quad-Cores, you need to check what the motherboard chipset supports.

Tips

  • If you already have a particular processor in mind (or hand), you can find the compatible motherboards at Intel's processor support site.

Warnings

  • Pentium 4 motherboards have two power connectors: a 24-pin connector powers the system, and a 4-pin connector provides current directly to the CPU. Make sure your power supply has both connectors if upgrading your motherboard, and make sure both are connected when installing your new parts.
  • Make sure you properly install the processor's heat sink. Newer Pentium 4 Processors operate at a very high temperature, and can be destroyed due to overheating if the heat sink is not properly installed.

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