I can't seem to find this info anywhere - SX280 max CPU

[Topcat]

What's the max CPU that can be used in a Dell SX280? I've been searching for over 2 hours....someone has to know... I know they won't support dual cores, but will they run the 2mb L2 cache and 64-bit supported cpu's?!?

[Wizard]

Re: I can't seem to find this info anywhere - SX280 max CPU

what's chipset?

Due to small size they can only can handle so much watts.

Secondly lot of dual cpu P4s are prescott which is too high watts for small factor (over 100W)
and let alone the single core P4 prescott of celeron 2.4 (73W) and P4 2.66 both 533 fsb at 84W. That is why I strictly choose Northwood P4 for good power and HT feature (800Fsb and 2.8GHz, 68W). The most these can handle is northwood 3.0GHz.

Over 3.0GHz prescott, the watts rapidly climbs past 100W mark.

Cheers, Wizard

[Topcat]

Re: I can't seem to find this info anywhere - SX280 max CPU

I've seen a few of them with 3.4's in them... It's an Intel 915G Express Chipset.

[Wizard]

Re: I can't seem to find this info anywhere - SX280 max CPU

Socket 775 only hmm!

P4 651 = 3.4GHz later generation prescott 65W rev D0
P4 651 = 86W both are 2MB cache, prescotts

P4 650 = 3.4GHz - 2MB prescott 84W

But there are older 1MB prescott cpus that are hungry too:

P4 550 (3.4GHz 84W 1MB 84W
P4 550(3.4GHz - 1MB) 115W
P4 551 (3.4GHz - 1MB) 84W

You can see quite spread of P4s in watts and knowing big names like Dell, tend to use coolest CPU usually especially in small cases. You would have to check those SX280 3.4 CPU type with a CPU ID utility. If it say rev D0 then it is cool cpu.

BTW: google: "erols process spec" without quotes and click first link.

PS what's is your going price for SX270 that needs recapped? as I don't have funds to buy working ones but at good price and can fix too.

Cheers, Wizard

[Topcat]

Re: I can't seem to find this info anywhere - SX280 max CPU

All the 270's I get I repair, I don't sell broken units. I do have a couple of them here that are missing various parts (hdd's and opticals).

The chipset is the 915G, supports 800fsb. I ended up with 4 sx280's, one without a CPU, so I was going to jam the fastest thing I could in it.

[Wizard]

Re: I can't seem to find this info anywhere - SX280 max CPU

Okay. 800 fsb? not all these P4 I listed uses 800 so that narrows to few especially with socket 775. Some came with 1066 fsb.

P4 D (dual cpu) is way too much power and I think requires different chipset too.

Cheers, Wizard

[arneson]

Re: I can't seem to find this info anywhere - SX280 max CPU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6kbB8BtV6I
This guy at the end shows 3.4gig and 3gig of ram right about 5:15 he shows upgraded specs.

[Topcat]

Re: I can't seem to find this info anywhere - SX280 max CPU

FWIW, I stuck a 3.4GHz/800fsb/1mb CPU in one with the A9 BIOS, it would post, bitch about an incompatible CPU, and halt itself....

[Wizard]

Re: I can't seem to find this info anywhere - SX280 max CPU

Try 3.2 or 3.0. Is A9 bios the latest?

Cheers, Wizard

[kc8adu]

Re: I can't seem to find this info anywhere - SX280 max CPU

FWIW, I stuck a 3.4GHz/800fsb/1mb CPU in one with the A9 BIOS, it would post, bitch about an incompatible CPU, and halt itself....

maybe edit the bios to insert the microcode for your chip?

[kc8adu]

Re: I can't seem to find this info anywhere - SX280 max CPU

btw it looks like there are a few bad caps showing in that very crappy video.
all the sx boxes are hard on caps.run way too hot.

[Topcat]

Re: I can't seem to find this info anywhere - SX280 max CPU

btw it looks like there are a few bad caps showing in that very crappy video.
all the sx boxes are hard on caps.run way too hot.

Yes they are. This 280 was full of bad panasonics when I got it. The extreme heating, plus the fact that this machine ran 24/7, they roast even good brand caps. As tough as the good brand caps may be, they're not indestructible!

I may see what I can do with the BIOS, it's been a while since I hacked one, so it may be worth a shot. A GX280 will run the same 3.4, and the SX280 is the same chipset, so they have it disabled likely for power reasons.