From: "Russ Poffenberger" :Sent: Wednesday, January 31, 2001 9:38 PM
Subject: [PCBUILD] Upgradeability of Dell Dimension XPS R400


> I have a client with three Dell Dimension XPS R400 computers. They have
P-II
> 400Mhz (slot 1) processors and 128MB RAM. The BIOS comes up saying
revision A03
>
> The Motherboard is fairly conventional, 2 ISA, 4 PCI and 1 AGP slot. ATX
form
> Factor, mid tower case.
>
> Does anyone know what the possibility is of this mobo supporting P-III
> Coppermine processors? If it won't (I suspect the biggest sticking point
> would be whether it can supply the different Vcore.)
>
> If that route fails, then a mobo upgrade is also a possibility. What is a
decent
> low cost single CPU P-III motherboard (under $100, or even $70 or so). I
would
> like it to support 100 and 133 Mhz speeds (so it will probably be a VIA
chipset)
> What about ones like Amptron, Lucky Star, Tekram, etc?
>
> Thanks for any info.
>
> Russ Poffenberger               Engineering Specialist
> Schlumberger Technologies ATE   DOMAIN: [log in to unmask]
> 150 Baytech Drive
> San Jose, Ca. 95134             Voice: (408)586-6718  FAX: (408)586-4675
>

Russ,

If the R400 is based on the SE440BX motherboard then it can be upgraded to a
750 Mhz Coppermine P III with a 100 Mhz bus speed. The SE440BX motherboard
is an OEM version and the board's voltage regulator limits you to the 750
Mhz Coppermine P III for reliability.  Upgrade the BIOS to version A12.
There seems to be some issues with A13 and Processors over 450 Mhz unless
you need the fixes in the A13 BIOS.

Also if you have the Sound Blaster live sound card upgrade the drivers to
the latest version before upgrading the processor as you may experience
lockups and or Blue screens of death.  If you have a 3dfx Voodoo video card
then you should update those drivers to the latest also.

If you decide to get new motherboards make sure that they will fit in the
Dell case and the plug for the motherboard from the power supply may be
proprietary for Dell motherboards.

Mary Wolden

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