i would say.... maybe, on the assumption that it is old and will not work with new technologies (or at least at optimal performance)

No. There is no way to get a true Dual Core onto that motherboard. Totally different architecture. Nor could you get any of the P4 HTs to work either, if it's 2.2ghz vintage (which would be Socket 478 400mhz FSB iirc) So it wouldn't be an LGA775 anyway.

I'm afraid he'll have to go the whole hog, it's almost always that way. New processor=new motherboard+new memory+new video card (usually) which it almost certainly will in this case because the *new* PCI-e motherboards won't support AGP of that vintage (and very few have AGP at all now anyway)

sorry to be the bearer of bad news

Aye, but it could also be one of the short-lived P4 2.2B's (running at 533MHz) and, if so, it is a classic piece of computer history (). Why? Because most of the "B" range were 2.4GHz or faster if I recall correctly. Why is this relevant? Well, it's probably not, but it is interesting (if tangential) trivia. Hmm, I'll show myself out. *Leaves*

Well, I guess if it is a classic piece of computer history, Esq would be best authority on that.

I do have an old LGA775 MoBo I could give to him. I used it on my olde 3.2GHz rig. As before, not advertised (obviously) as dual-core compatible. Would it still work?

I wondered if they would be incompatible, but then why wouldn't Intel design a new socket for the C2Ds to save confusion?

just because the socket is the same form factor doesn't mean that the processor is compatible. LGA775 has been around for a few years now and covers a wide range of Intel processors from mid-range 2ghz+ upwards. It might well physically fit, but the BIOS won't support it.

Intel have been roundly criticised in the past for forcing new socket arrangements onto the market when they introduce new processor (Socket 7 to Slot 1, for instance) so they've really tried to keep the LGA775 form factor for as long as possible, which means you don't have to buy new cases or coolers, and the pc's physical footprint stays the same.

Edited by - Tawakalna on 9/4/2007 2:53:13 AM

So, theoretically, if I flashed the BIOS I could get it to work. (I'd probably get the local computer guy to do it, but... theoretically...)

Flashing the BIOS is easy, but the problem is whether or not an update that supports better CPUs is available. As the evil Mullah said, the socket maybe the same, but if the BIOS update (if there is one) doesn't support the new CPU, then flashing it will make no difference.

and NEVER EVER reboot the machine during the flashing process until it says to, or you'll kill the BIOS EEPROM, and it will never work again.

There are supposed to be recovery tools available to fix such things, but I have never had the opportunity to try them.

It would help if you gave the specifications on your friend's system, in particular the motherboard model.

For example, I have a Pentium D 945 on an Asus P5B.