I have a Dell Dimension 4400 with a pentium 4 1.7 ghz processor, win xp, and 768 mb of ram. I would like to upgrade my processor to a pentium 4 2.8 ghz. Since i already have a pentium 4 processor will my motherboard work with a 2.8 ghz one? If i can do this how do i go about installing it? Also, should i think about getting a better fan for my computer if i upgrade the processor? I am always wanting to learn new information so any insight would be grately apreciate. Thanks.

Unfortunately, you will need to call dell to find out what processor your particular motherboard will support. It is possible it will only support 2ghz.

Dells mb's are proprietary, contacting them may be the only way you can be sure. Maybe someone has upgraded that particular board and will post back here.

If you go to intel's website, there is a section to select a processor. The "boxed" version will include everything you need (heatsink, fan, thermal compound, instructions).

Once you know exactly what you can get, you can search for the best price.

Here is a link to a basic installation guide. You can run a Google search for more detailed instructions.

http://www.basichardware.com/HowTo_Install_CPU.html

Good luck.

As I also have a DEll, you could log onto your personal Support page at DEll and check out all the specs. of computer and it should tell you what prcocessor speeds your computer will take. If you haven't already done it, you can find a lot of info there.

I found some technical specs of all Dell systems, from the 8088 systems all the way up to their Pentium 4s. Yes, 4400s can be upgraded to the latest Pentium 4 processors without a new motherboard. They have 478 pin mobos, so you won't have to buy a new motherboard or anything, just slip the new processor right in.

Hold on a second here. I could be wrong, but I do believe that the 1.7 is a 400 MHZ system bus, and the 2.8 is a 533 system bus. I think the 400 mhz went as high as 2.60. That may be as high as you can go.

Ken is right:

You can't just slip in a 2.8 at 533 fsb when the board only supports 400 fsb. If you do, it will never run at 2.8, it will run at a much lower speed.

I can almost quarantee that the MB will not take a 533 bus, only 400.

If you ever plan on upgrading a computer in the future, never buy from dell, gateway,hp, compaq, etc. It just causes so much headache when u want to upgrade. Just build your own rig, its much easier to work with and u know exactly whats in there from the get go.

It is not just the bus speed. Also need to consider the chipset, powersupply, etc. There are many 478 mbs that only support 2ghz, 2.2 ghz, etc.

You need to check with dell re your specific motherboard.

If i did upgrade from a 1.7 to a 2.2 would there be a significant difference in speed?

No