Upgrade a Pentium 3 CPU to a Pentium 4 CPU
Computer technology is evolving rapidly, and minimum system requirements have advanced to a point where Intel Pentium 3 processors are increasingly regarded as relics. Swapping the Pentium 3 for a Pentium 4 can be difficult and time-consuming, but it can be done by following these steps.
Instructions
Removing a Pentium 3 CPU
1. Power down your PC and disconnect all wires leading into the device. Then lay the PC tower on a firm, flat surface with the access panel facing up.
2. Open the PC tower and disconnect all wires leading into the motherboard, including the SATA hard drives and IDE cables (the wires leading from your CD/DVD player). If your tower is small, remove the sticks of RAM from the motherboard as well.
3. Remove the processor heatsink. Whether it is a fan, heatsink or a combination, it can be removed by pulling the four stabilization pins from each corner. Carefully lift the heatsink and remove it.
4. Remove the motherboard by undoing the screws. Most motherboards have 8 to 12 screws holding it in place.
5. Remove the processor by opening the protective shield and carefully lifting the processor straight upward. Set aside the processor with the bottom facing upward.
Installing a Pentium 4 Processor
6. Place the new Pentium 4-compatible motherboard inside your PC tower and fasten it with the screws from the old motherboard.
7. Rest the Pentium 4 processor inside the CPU bracket (the large square) so the indentations line up with the cuts on the bracket wall. Do not slide the processor into the bracket, but slowly drop it straight down. This is to ensure that you do not damage the CPU. Once in place, close the metal shield/door.
8. Attach the processor heatsink by connecting the four support pins to the same holes that held the old heatsink. If your heatsink includes a fan that needs to be powered, make sure you place the heatsink in place so the power cable reaches the corresponding motherboard socket.
9. Reconnect the cables to the new motherboard. Depending on the layout of the new board, this might take a few minutes as you try to locate all the connector slots.
10. Close the tower and reconnect the power cable and cords.
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