I just abandoned an attempted upgrade of my DELL P4 from 2.53Ghz to 3.06Ghz. It's a big let-down for me, technically and psychologically. But here's my gig:I did careful analysis and research before ordering the processor, including software analysis of my chip, but the processor didn't work when I installed it. There was an immediate IRQ issue or conflict and I could not even get Windows XP to boot up. I decided after 6 hours of work, and sweating about flashing upgraded bios among other steps, not to take it further. I just finished restoring my P4 to its original condition. Took about 10 hours in all. Man, never again; never again!I got various advice from folks here and at DELL forums, but I just couldn't deal with it. Years of MS upgrades, years of software and some hardware upgrades--all went well, but all time consuming and challenging to an amateur like me. I prefer to sim, not be a PC engineer. On my own, with no help around me personally, the IRQ issue could have taken hours, days, or weeks, to resolve. I had no way of knowing if I'd EVER even solve it. I am returning an upgraded power supply as well, and not switching to a 6800 card or a Radeon 800XT. I just can't deal with any of this stuff any longer: the time, the risks, the feeling that one false move and BOOM!Bottom line is: if you feel like upgrading, and you are NOT highly competent with hardware and software, better check out in advance what you're getting into, especially if it is the processor and requires flashing BIOS, etc. This is NOT for amateurs in my opinion. I think that those PC experts and near-experts who are--well, experts--make it sound a lot easier than it really is. Well, try being a PC tech moron like me, mate, and then see what it's like to do this stuff, arghhh!I am relieved I have my PC back the way I want it. Just had to post because I feel relieved, frustrated, happy, and pi##ed off, all at once!JS

I do not really consider myself and expert but I have never had trouble upgrading of course, most of the computers I have upgraded or helped people upgrade were custom built, you tried to upgrade a Dell. Now I did have a dell and had no trouble upgrading it though, I did not upgrade the CPU. It maybe that your trouble was because it was a Dell, I mean they are good computers no doubt, but I have heard many people say that doing big upgrades can be very difficult to do.

Not quite familiar with P4 CPU's so I'm not sure what would cause the IRQ conflict - maybe the HT capability requires an extra interrupt? I'd probably have selected reset configuration data in BIOS and simply reinstalled XP from scratch :)Wouldn't call myself a computer expect either, I'm self taught. So far nothing has gone BOOM, but I very nearly crushed an Athlon T-Bird once, bent a capacitor on my X800XT, scratched one of the chips on a RAM module, had a too weak PSU kill a harddrive etc. but the hardware can take a bit of beating it seems.Of course it's very annoying when you finish building a system and it won't boot or keeps locking up or something. Almost (*almost*) makes you wish you'd bought a Dell instead.

Upgrading from 2.5 Ghz to 3.06 Ghz would barely be noticeable anyway.Whenever I upgrade the processor, I also upgrade the motherboard. Also, many vendors will install the processor/heat sink onto the motherboard for you, which I would highly recommend.Matt

Not a huge difference maybe but it might be enough to make those barely flyable scenarios a little more flyable.