XP CPU: duo core?

the OS does not determine how fast the cpu is. The OS may use more of the cpu for background apps etc, which could cause the system to run slower, but you can't make your cpu run faster in XP.

If you want to make your system run faster then get a better cpu (just as long as your mobo can handle it), Overclock your current cpu, or turn off things like indexing and optional services off in XP (this option wont give you much of a benifit, but it's better then nothing)

Also make sure to defrag your hard drive, run virus / spyware scanners, etc.

Rik, so far you have revealed you have XP Home and a Pentium 4 processor. How do you overclock it is your question. With the MB system BIOS settings that control your hardware. Your Pentium 4 is all we know. Please list your system specifications. Like is it an Emachines or a HP or Dell? List the model number. Many of those manufacturers lock up the BIOS due to warranty obligation. Your system may not be overclockable. List your CPU, MB, RAM, video card, etc. Or the machine maker and model number.

troll?

He's not a troll. He's a 52 year old gentleman with a question.

Yeah, the general idea of overclocking may have thrown him off. Like if you have never head the word, you probably have no clue as to anything. I think OP was thinking he could buy a faster processor and didn't realize XP wasn't limiting him in his choices. He probably is still not clear that XP is not the limiting factor in upgrading his processor. 8) I majored in Psych. Wanna see my crystal ball. 8)

sorry guys,

am just trying to match a P4 - on an xp system - to a dv edit software which has it licked

thought this would be as easy as unplugging one cpu and plugging another one in, but Dell seem to have made the D-3000 so that it cannot be upgraded to anything higher than a P4

no, i am not trolling :-|

R

Well, just a quick look over of the specs provided on the link, your are stuck with a Pentium 4 in that system and that is old technology. Yiou would want to upgrade to a Core 2 duo or Core 2 quad system to get better performance for video editing and general usage. The upgrade to the Intel core 2 would be substancial as far as performance. You asked about putting a dual core in your system. The product page does not state a Pentiun D is supported. I am not familiar with your Dell, but even if the MB supported a Pentium D it wouldn't be wrth it. I would suggest leaving your system the way it is, it's not upgradeable. Look for a Core 2 duo dual core system. A core 2 quad would be even more suitable for video editing. I would think your Dell system has the BIOS locked and the system is not able to be overclocked. Sorry, for the scrambled response. I have a lot going on right now.

just got owned! I was under the impression that all P4's were socket 478 . I guess you do learn something new everyday. (and looking back at my mobo it does support p4. I probably should have put that together)

Cheers

to be fair i wouldn't vote for me either

Besides, you have no rectitude.

thanks guys - yes i think the socket is a 478

can you run XP on a dual core though - i read somewhere that xp will only utilise one of the two processors; someone else said XP Pro was the best o/s for a x2, and that there were 'ways' of getting xp to work both halves of a dual cpu?

method to the madness is that a dv edit plug-in i want to use is not Vista ready (yet), hence the interest in xp

R

thanks Badge - this helps - i guess a question now is to look for a [xp] retail C2D, or build / barebone one? Ric

It is time for a new computer.

thanks Badge

both look cool - esp the xp

wonder how this barebones would work out pricewise after i'd added processor + HDD etc?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/ASUS-T3-P5 [...] =de_a_smtd

R

xp seems to be such a dependable o/s that you get the feeling Microsoft rushed in getting Vista off the ground too soon - so the performance difference between them is comparatively slight? you'd expect Core 2 new technology to be light years ahead of 'old tech' P4, but this obviously isn't so?