Re: Got a Dell system? Want serious speed for a low cost?

Wow, I can't say thank you enough. I thought 850 was the highest speed recognized by the bios of the T. I've ordered 1ghz processor, should have it on Tuesday, and can't wait! b ps and the only reason I stopped by here was because #*#*! Nascar 4 wouldn't recognize my DVD drive...talk about bad luck turning out good. "rrevved" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:[email hidden]...

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> > I have a Dell XPS-T600. If you have an XPS-T series Dell, > read on. If you have another Dell model, then check the > Dell upgrade FAQ at: http://roberthancock.netfirms.com/dell > > To install a PIII-1000 processor in your Dell XPS-T series, > like I did, read the following info that I posted to the > AVSIM Fly! forum. It is applicable to any Dell XPS-T owner > who wants major gaming/simming performance without > replacing Case/RAM .. etc. > > I am using my XPS-T600 as an example, but it applies to any > XPS-T series system. > > All you have to do is to upgrade your XPS-T BIOS to A09 or > better and then open the case, unsnap the plastic shroud > that fits over your processor, unplug the P3-600, and plug > in the new P3-1000. The new P3-1000 has a little plug on it for > the fan, which you simply plug into the motherboard. > You put the case back on, power on and your system > will recognize that you now have a P3-1000. > > Dell doesn't have a processor fan mounted on the chip. > It uses the plastic shroud to duct air from a case fan. > Your new chip will have a processor fan mounted on the > chip, so you don't need the plastic shroud. Throw it away. > > There is a little plastic clip and you press it open > to take out your P3-600. The new P3-1000 is a little > smaller and the clip doesn't contact it. Don't worry > about it. The chip plugs in so tightly, that unless > you are constantly transporting your system from > place to place, it won't move. You have to -really- > push hard to seat the chip. Someone said that the Intel > specs say 25 pounds of force. I don't know about that, > but a firm pressure is required. Anyone who has had > problems with the upgrade, on the Dell forum, has found > that this was the source of the problem. > > When I made the decision to do this upgrade, I had > concerns that it would really be this easy and work. > Believe me, it is a no-brainer. You will kick yourself > for not having done it sooner. > > The Dell Upgrade FAQ page answers all the detailed > questions: http://roberthancock.netfirms.com/dell/ > for ALL Dell models.. > > ..and there is quite a discussion over on the > Dell forum at: > > http://delltalk.us.dell.com/messages/overview.asp?name=dim_upgrade > > Be -sure- to go over to the forum. There is a lot of help > (and happiness) about this upgrade over there. hehe. > > There have been no problems reported with this upgrade. It > actually took longer to remove the case, than to plug in the > new chip. > > Go here to download the proper BIOS update: > http://support.dell.com/us/en/filelib/ > > For my XPS-T, the latest A11 version is the one I used, > but anything from A09 up will work fine: > >

http://support.dell.com/us/en/filelib/download/download.asp?fileid=R22940&fo rmat=23575&sid=DIM_PNT_P03_XPS_T___&lang=EN&lib=1&os=W98&searchtype=filter

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> > You just download the BIOS upgrade program and run it. > > There are several dealers that sell the PIII-1000. > > You may want to check http://www.pricewatch.com > > and also http://www.resellerratings.com . > > Or, here is a link to the processor that you need: > ---------------------------------------------------- > > http://www.us.buy.com/retail/product.asp?sku=10261995&loc=101 > > PENTIUM III P3 1GHZ 256KB L2 SLOT1 SECC2 100MHZ FSB > > Type: Processor > Platform: Pentium III > Mfg part#: BX80526H1000256 > > Usually Ships in 24-48 Hours > Our Price: $327.95 > ---------------------------------------------------- > > The Dell forum is also a great place for dealer recommendations. > > I bought my processor at: http://www.microx-press.com and had > no problems. You may want to order the RETAIL version of the > chip, since it comes with a 3-year warranty and the Intel fan > already installed, or if you're feeling frisky, you can get > the OEM version for less money, and a 30 day warranty, buy > an appropriate fan and install it yourself. > > As to the performance in Fly! or FS2000, or any other sim/game, > the difference was -astonishing- on my system. I have a Voodoo5 > and have since ordered a GeForce2 GTS so it will have true AGP > texturing for Fly!, and a couple of other games I use. > > It probably increased my framerate in Fly!, under similar > conditions, about 50-60%. It is nearly liquid-smooth under > all conditions at 1024x768x32 with full visibility, etc. > > Similar framerate increases happened in all -sims- that I tried. > > My system will be even smoother in Fly!, I hope, when my > $172 GeForce GTS arrives next week: > > ------------------------------------------------------------- > > http://www.essencom.com/parts/video.htm > > Leadtek GeForce 2 GTS 32MB AGP Retail with TV-OUT 2nd-generation > GeForce GPU with Giga Texel Shading Architecture . 8 texels per clock > with Advanced Hypertexel pipelines . Most complete DirectX7 hardware > implementation for the highest gaming quality and frame rate . High > Definition Video Processor for the fastest DVD, 2D and video > processing (with enhanced motion compensation) . 32MB DDR memory . > Super Size Heatsink (220% size compared to regular size) . WinFastDVD > playback package . Retail in stock $ 172.00 > > --------------------------------------------------------- > > I am spending a little over $500 for a serious performance > upgrade. You will get MUCH more performance with this upgrade > than just installing another video card or whatever in your current > XPS-T. > > Trust me, you will be a (very) happy camper. > You can thank me later.. :) > > It's a great time to do the upgrade, since Intel just > -significantly- reduced their processor prices, a week > or so ago. > > NOTE: Intel is ceasing production of the P3-1000, Slot 1 > Coppermine chips, at the end of the quarter, so now > is the time to grab one... > > Go for it! >

Thanks for the great tip! The P3 1GHz I ordered arrived today. I just plugged it in and WOW! I used to have a P3 550 and my frame rates in N4 have doubled. I didn't think it would be such an increase, maybe 50%, but this is great. I'm currently using a 64MB GeForce2 (not Ultra) instead of my trusty old V3 3000, so it was obviously CPU-limited, not video-card-limited. No problems so far - it seems to run cool enough. The extra fan mounted on the CPU is higher-pitched and a bit noisy though. It's worth it. For any Canadians thinking of this upgrade to their Dell T-series, I picked up the P3 1GHz CPU from http://www.microson.com for $494 + $15 handling/shipping + taxes. It arrived exactly a week after I placed my order. I feel like I own a Mazda - "zoom - zoom"... ...Klinn "rrevved" <[email hidden]> wrote

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> Great! You are going to be shocked at how easy it is and > how fast it is.. > > >"rrevved" <[email hidden]> wrote > >> > >> I have a Dell XPS-T600. If you have an XPS-T series Dell, > >> read on. If you have another Dell model, then check the > >> Dell upgrade FAQ at: http://roberthancock.netfirms.com/dell >