Upgrade Pentium 4 to Q6600 quad-core?

dunkel · 06-07-2007, 02:28 AM

I want to upgrade my 3-year-old 3.06 GHz Pentium 4 PC. The computer has a regular size case with a 300 W power-supply. I plan to change its motherboard to ASUS P5L-VM, its memory to 4 x 1 GB DDR2 800 (PC2 6400), and its processor to Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 2.4 GHz. Does this update sound feasible? Can RH Enterprise 4 or 5 and MS Windows 2000, XP, or Vista handle multi-core processors? ThanX!

Lenard · 06-07-2007, 06:08 AM

Quote:

Can RH Enterprise 4 or 5 and MS Windows 2000, XP, or Vista handle multi-core processors?

Yes RHEL 4 or 5 can handle this, with the appropriate version (AS or ES $$$$). As a workaround try using CentOS (a freely available RHEL AS/ES clone minus branding).

Yes, Windows 2000 and XP cannot handle 4 core (2 core/CPU limit), Vista or Windows 2003 Server can but you need to purchase ($$$$$$) the version which has support for this.

pwc101 · 06-07-2007, 06:48 AM

As far as I am aware, Windows XP Pro can support up to two processors, irrespective of the number of cores within them. This is from the Windows XP Pro End User License Agreement:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Microsoft EULA

1. GRANT OF LICENSE. Manufacturer grants you the following rights, provided you comply with all of the terms and conditions of this EULA:
* Installation and Use. Except as otherwise expressly provided in this EULA, you may install, use, access, display and run only one (1) copy of the SOFTWARE on the COMPUTER. The SOFTWARE may not be used by more than two (2) processors at any one time on the COMPUTER, unless a higher number is indicated on the Certificate of Authenticity

Emphasis added.

Therefore, as long as you're running XP Pro, you can run as many cores as you like, so long as there are no more than two individual processors.

Of course, none of this licensing business is of the remotest importance when it comes to Linux

As for the RAM, there are issues with XP and more than 2GB of RAM, which require some quite exotic workarounds. I'll see if I can dig up more info.

HappyTux · 06-07-2007, 07:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dunkel

I want to upgrade my 3-year-old 3.06 GHz Pentium 4 PC. The computer has a regular size case with a 300 W power-supply. I plan to change its motherboard to ASUS P5L-VM, its memory to 4 x 1 GB DDR2 800 (PC2 6400), and its processor to Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 2.4 GHz. Does this update sound feasible? Can RH Enterprise 4 or 5 and MS Windows 2000, XP, or Vista handle multi-core processors? ThanX!

I see no mention of upgrading the power supply you will want to do this as well I highly doubt that the 300w will have the 24pin connector you will need for the new motherboard and 300w is really not enough power for what you want to install anyways, you would probably want something in the 500w+ range from a good quality brand like Antec, Enermax, OCZ .... Another thing with the price of the q6600 right now you might want to wait until the price cuts happen near the end of July buying the cheapest Core processor you can find then upgrade to the q6600 for less money than you will spend for the q6600 at this time, now is definitely the time to buy the ram though with the dirt cheap prices going on I just got 4gb (2x2gb dual channel kits) delivered taxes in for like $180 CAD.

Edit: Another thing you will want to be running a 64bit install so you get to use all the 4gb of ram without losing any of it to the 32bit work around that is needed you want it set to 64bit mode.