Problems with Pentium 4 socket 478

Gary_Busey

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Mar 21, 2006
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I just bought a new P4 3.0E socket 478

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819116175

I also ordered this cooler:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16835185114

Here's my mobo:

http://support.gateway.com/support/supinfo/content.asp?id=606537

My first problem is, the HSF I ordered doesn't fit. For some reason, I have a different HSF mounting bracket is different that the one in the instructions for the HSF and it's even different than the one in the support documents for the MOBO. Here's the one shown in the support documents:

251632104.jpg


and here's mine:

20fclqs.jpg


As you can see, on mine, there are two metal bars that clamp down on the HSF to lock it in. It's not the same as the one show in the documents. Anyone know why this would be?

My second problem is that the processor I ordered doesn't work. It's 478 and my motherboad is 478, but when I turn the computer on, it powers up but there's no hard drive activity or anything. But once I put the original P4 Northwood in, everything works fine. Is it dead? Any ideas?
 

TheMaster

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Jul 4, 2004
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did you update your bios before you put the new cpu in?

another problem i see is that the p4 2.0 had a 400mhz fsb.. which means your memory is too slow.

The newer northwoods need ddr 400 or pc3200 memory, as they operate on an 800 mhz fsb.

I know it sounds the same but ddr is dual data rate, which corresponds to 2x 400 = 800 mhz.

I'm not even sure your mobo can support those speeds. :!:
I think you need an 865 chipset for DDR 400 memory.

Check with your oem before you blow more money on this relic.
 

mpjesse

Splendid
Yes... to TheMaster listen. For sure, your problem is 1 of 2 things:

1. Motherboard/BIOS doesn't support higher freq. CPU (the most likely)
2. Your memory is PC2100/DDR200 (this could be the problem, but even if your mobo supported a 3ghz CPU, it would just underclock the cpu to 1.5Ghz, or 15x100mhz as opposed to the correct 15x200mhz)

In either case, you've wasted your $$$. OEM BIOS updates RARELY include extended CPU support. And even if you do find a BIOS update, you're still stuck w/ the PC2100 memory problem. Since P4's are multiplier locked, you'd have a 3.0Ghz CPU running at 1.5Ghz.

My advice:

Resell the CPU on eBay or get a whole new mobo, RAM, and case. Sorry.
 
I have that 3.0 Pentium Prescott running currently in a DFI Lanparty Pro 875B motherboard. Here:

http://us.dfi.com.tw/Product/xx_product_spec_details_r_us.jsp?PRODUCT_ID=1134&CATEGORY_TYPE=MB&SITE=NA

Take a look at teh 865 and 875 chipset socket 478 boards here. They are inexpensive for the most part:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.asp?N=2000200280+1070509907&Submit=ENE&SubCategory=280

PC3200 DDR 400 mhz RAM:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.asp?N=2000170147+1052107965+1052407862&Submit=ENE&SubCategory=147


With your processor add an 865/875 MB and some PC3200 RAM and use your optical drives, etc. and build. I built mine many years ago and still use it in one of the offices. I have 2 gigs of PC3200 and two hard drives running. Hooked to a wireless network too. The girls don't kmow the difference. One of them wants one just like it. :D
 

1Tanker

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Apr 28, 2006
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I just bought a new P4 3.0E socket 478

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819116175

I also ordered this cooler:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16835185114

Here's my mobo:

http://support.gateway.com/support/supinfo/content.asp?id=606537

My first problem is, the HSF I ordered doesn't fit. For some reason, I have a different HSF mounting bracket is different that the one in the instructions for the HSF and it's even different than the one in the support documents for the MOBO. Here's the one shown in the support documents:

251632104.jpg


and here's mine:

20fclqs.jpg


As you can see, on mine, there are two metal bars that clamp down on the HSF to lock it in. It's not the same as the one show in the documents. Anyone know why this would be?

My second problem is that the processor I ordered doesn't work. It's 478 and my motherboad is 478, but when I turn the computer on, it powers up but there's no hard drive activity or anything. But once I put the original P4 Northwood in, everything works fine. Is it dead? Any ideas?
Not all s478 boards(even ones that run Northwood P4's) are Prescott compatable. Your board likely doesn't have strong enough VRM's and Capacitors to deal with Prescotts increased current draw. Even if you can find a BIOS update, it's possible that the Prescott could smoke your mobo.Be cautious. GL :)
 

fainis

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the link for the mobo won`t help us much ....just tell us what is the name of that board you have....

first the new cpu ..won`t help unless it`s fully supported by the new board .... fsb, voltages etc....you also need HT compatible bios but that`s not imperative for it to work

it seems that your new mobo only supports 533fbs (max) cpus
 

martyjs

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I don't know what the others are raving about, but the cooler you showed in the picture appears different than the one in the link. Best guess is AMD cooler, not 478. :?
If the cooler wont work then the system will overheat almost strait away. possible causing the Motherboard to lock up. It's happened to me a couple of years ago. :(
 

Gary_Busey

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Mar 21, 2006
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I don't know what the others are raving about, but the cooler you showed in the picture appears different than the one in the link. Best guess is AMD cooler, not 478. :?
No, it's 478. The one in the picture is the stock cooler, the one in the link is the aftermarket one I bought.
 

Gary_Busey

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Maybe the fan but in the last week I,ve replace 1 478 fan and cleaned 2 more were I work. That bracket is the same or simalar to AMD and socket 370. I,ve also replaced I 370 fan and heatsink and cleaned another 1. It's not a socket 478 bracket. :!:
It has to be. It's not the same as other Intel brackets, but it's definitely not an AMD bracket. Gateway wouldn't send me an Intel machine, with an Intel motherboard and Intel processor, and put an AMD bracket on it.
 

mpjesse

Splendid
Possibly socket 423 (the ones with the Rambus memory) or Custom built Motherboard for 478. I have not yet seen a socket 478 board with that bracket, but I've been working to long with PC to say it was never done.
the following link shows some socket 423 M/B's :wink:
http://accessories.gateway.com/AccessoryStore/PC+Accessories_316441/PC+Components_316805/Computer+Cooling_375500/1991599_ProdDetail

The bracket issue is moot. Even if he could get that heatsink mounted, it doesn't matter because the cpu isn't compatible w/ the mobo. That's what we're raving about.
 

Anoobis

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Feb 4, 2006
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Another question: Is it ok to use something like window cleaner or bathroom cleaner to clean the thermal paste of a CPU or heatsink?
Although a lot around here seem to disagee I recommend 90% or better Isopropyl Alcohol, q-tips and cotton balls. All of which can be bought at just about any drugstore on the cheap.
 

mpjesse

Splendid
OEM BIOS updates RARELY include extended CPU support. And even if you do find a BIOS update, you're still stuck w/ the PC2100 memory problem.

its surely worth a try still...

why in the world is it worth a try? even IF he could find a BIOS, his new P4 would be clocked at 1.5Ghz, 500mhz slower than his current 2.0Ghz setup. there's absolutely no point.

just trying to see the logic here...
 

mpjesse

Splendid
Another question: Is it ok to use something like window cleaner or bathroom cleaner to clean the thermal paste of a CPU or heatsink?
Although a lot around here seem disagee I recommend 90% or better Isopropyl Alcohol and q-tips and cotton balls. All of which can be bought at just about any drugstore on the cheap.

I agree, Alcohol is best because it evaporates so quickly. An even better combination would be bleach and ammonia. That'll take the paste right off... ;-)
 

Grimmy

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Feb 20, 2006
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Pretty much agree.

I think Gary should have took more time researching what his MB could run, rather then jumping on any P4 CPU.

He would have been okay with a Northwood / 533 CPU type. Seems as though he will not run that Prescott on it at all.

That is, if I found the right MB, and if it has 845G chipset:

Intel for Gateway ESSEX -- Video/Sound/Net socket 478-Part No. 4000783 4000828 2519577

Motherboard features:

¡¡

* Intel® 845G chipset
* Supports 400-megahertz (MHz) and 533-MHz system bus speeds
* USB version 2.0 on all ports
* Ultra 66/100 IDE controller
* Fast DDR memory (DDR 200 or DDR 266)
o 2-gigabytes maximum memory (using 512-megabit technology)
* SoundMax 1981 integrated audio
* Optional integrated Intel graphics
 

TheMaster

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OEM BIOS updates RARELY include extended CPU support. And even if you do find a BIOS update, you're still stuck w/ the PC2100 memory problem.

its surely worth a try still...

why in the world is it worth a try? even IF he could find a BIOS, his new P4 would be clocked at 1.5Ghz, 500mhz slower than his current 2.0Ghz setup. there's absolutely no point.

just trying to see the logic here...

LoL exactly.. he needs a new mobo to support higher speeds and new memory.

Return that stuff if you can and just build a budget conroe rig with an E6300.
You're buying a new cpu, mobo and memory anyway. :wink: