Can I upgrade my 2.4ghz Pentium 4? XP?

[Atarithejedi]

• Hello I have a Compaq Evo SFF 510 running a 2.4ghz Pentium 4. I was wondering if I might be able to "upgrade" the chip to one with a higher GHz? For example 2.8ghz to give it just a little bit more boost? Already maxed out the ram at a whooping 2g 😜
• Thanks 

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi:

Here is the link to the d510 quickspecs:

DA - 11349 - Worldwide

According to the specs, it appears the best processor you can install would be the Intel Pentium 4 Processor with the 533-MHz Front Side Bus, 512KB.

It may be possible to install this processor, but I can't guarantee it will work.

Intel Pentium 4 Processor supporting HT Technology 3.06 GHz 512K Cache 533 MHz FSB Product Specifica...

It has to have this stepping code:  SL6PG

Intel® Pentium® 4 Processor supporting HT Technology 3.06 GHz, 512K Cache, 533 MHz FSB, mPGA 478, Tray

• Spec CodeSL6PG
• Ordering CodeRK80532PE083512
• Shipping MediaTRAY
• Stepping D1

There was a BIOS update that added a microcode update for Intel Pentium 4 D1 processors.

v.2.21

Compaq Evo D510 Small Form Factor Software and Driver Details

I see a couple of those on eBay, shipped from China for $25.

[Atarithejedi]

So a while back I picked up some other towers I found a Pentium 4 with a 3.0 GHz. I tried it but the setup just looks different I might go with the one that you're speaking of. Forgive me my electronic background is with arcade machines and is not necessarily with computers or hard drives but I have a basic understanding. Figure if I can get one of those chips even for just a few dollars it's worth giving it a shot versus putting the money against the lottery 😜

If I'm successful I'll come back to this thread and given update

[Paul_Tikkanen · Accepted solution]

You're very welcome.

You have to be very selective on what processors you install in those old PC's.

The d510 can only support a processor in the Pentium 'Northwood' processor family.

Pentium 4 3.0 GHz...there were none made with a 533 MHz FSB which is the fastest processor FSB the d510 can run.

So, if you got the Northwood spec right, and the 512 KB cache right, the only one you could have gotten would have been one of these:

Intel Pentium 4 Processor supporting HT Technology 3.00 GHz 512K Cache 800 MHz FSB Product Specifica...

The reason it didn't work is because that processor has an 800 MHz FSB.

That one would have worked in the HP d530 (the model series that came out after the d510).

Then it may even be the stepping code of the processor which narrows things down even further.

That's why I had to find the right ordering code for the 3.06 GHz 512 FSB processor that had the D1 stepping code that BIOS update provided support for.

I think it would be a worthwhile experiment.

You might even be able to turn on the Hyperthreading option in the BIOS if your PC has the revised version of the  motherboard (I don't know what that one is).

Years ago, HP used to have two forums -- one for HP business class desktops and notebooks and this one, which was originally developed for the HP consumer class PC's.

I joined the HP business PC forum in 2007 because like you, I came across an old d510 for free that had the 266 GHz processor and I wanted to upgrade it. 

I remember reading posts where folks got the 3.06 GHz processor to work in the d510.

The problem is, when HP merged the two forums, they decided to delete literally thousands of the discussions on the old business PC forum instead of moving all of them to this forum, thereby losing a huge amount of that great info that could have been of use to you and to others still liking to tinker with legacy platforms.

I learned so much about my HP d510, d530, dc7100, dc7600, etc., on that forum.

Unfortunately, I can't remember everything I ever learned about them.

I'm looking forward to reading the results of your processor upgrade project.

[Atarithejedi]

 Paul has hit it on the head. I'll try to go up to 3.06 if possible for the Pentium 4. I don't know I just have this strange obsession to upgrade this and get it as high as I can get it. Generally speaking all I'm going to be using for is a dual boot 98 XP. I have two classic ROM burners EMP 10 & 30 along with some of my OG PC games and programs. My goal is to get this PC with a few extra bills and whistles

Reading straight off the chip it is a Pentium 4 2.4ghz /512/533  SL6RZ

[Atarithejedi]

Okay following up on this I can say I was able to get the new chip at 3.06 gigahertz with 512 KB and 533 megahertz to function in my Compaq D510 SFF. I recommend to anyone else in the future who may be experiencing this the 3.06 is the absolute highest megahertz I could find that will go for this machine. There's a 2.8 and a 2.66 out they're all relatively the same price so might as well get the 3.06 if you're going to do it. Furthermore, I recommend to make sure that your BIOS is the most up-to-date version. It took me a little while looking online but I found out that indeed my motherboard did have the most up-to-date bios. Coincidentally enough I found information on the BIOS through HP website via Bulgaria of all places. You're mileage may vary and I do notice a difference in performance. Like to thank Paul Tikianen for his assistance. I really hope that we can fill in more the lost information since HP did merge the two forums as he described years ago.

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Anytime.

Glad to have been of assistance.

That's great news you were able to upgrade to the best processor possible.

Does your PC's motherboard have the option to enable hyperthreading?

If hyperthreading is enabled, the processor will show up twice in the device manager under the Processors device manager category.

If hyperthreading is disabled, or there is no BIOS setting for hyperthreading, the processor will only show up once.

[Atarithejedi]

Oh yes the hypertethering I'm going to have to play with that and see if I can get it rolling If it will. I believe the chip is only showing up once. I can say that this little machine never thought it would get so much love and attention 🙂 But again I want this also to be out there for anyone else in the future who's looking to upgrade there d510

[Paul_Tikkanen]

If you look at page 8 of the HP d510 Quickspecs at the link below, it indicates this: Hyperthreading Support - Systems shipped after February 1st, 2003 will include support for Hyperthreading. To take advantage of Hyperthreading, the system must be configured with a minimum processor speed of 3.06GHz. HP has performed qualification testing under both Windows XP Home and Windows XP Professional. HP strongly recommends that customers upgrade to the latest version of the Microsoft Service Pack for these operating systems. This will ensure the best possible user experience

Compaq Evo Desktop D510 845G

The serial numbers on HP PC's denote the date of manufacture by the 4th, 5th and 6th characters.

I don't know if this was true of the Compaq d510.

The 4th = the year of manufacture (0 - 9).

The 5th and 6th = the week of manufacture (01 - 52).

So, if your PC has that kind of serial number configuration and the 4th, 5th and 6th characters of the serial number are 306 or higher, that should mean it was made in the 6th week of 2003.

[Atarithejedi]

So I was kind of going around about my serial number is USB 315 02 BP. Don't know if the serial number will work however there's an ink stamp on the inside of my shell which states 28 December 2002 which would put it just before the hypertetheran ability. I did see an old post from about 5 years ago where somebody asked a very similar question and you had replied with a link but of course the link is now dead and gone I'd like to see about updating the bios. I think mine might be at the highest or newest bio but I can't be for sure. It'll be a shame if I just am a little short on the cutoff but I wonder if there's another workaround?