Question : Problem: Want to upgrade processor and RAM

I want to upgrade this computers motherboard:

Desktop Board D845GEBV2 - this came form the Intel Website

Support for an Intel® Pentium® 4 processor in a µPGA478 socket with a 400/533 MHz system bus

The supported processor page indicates this:
3.06 GHz 533 MHz 512 KB P09 or greater.

Does this mean the system will take DDR PC3200 RAM?  The system currently has PC2100 in it, but I want to make sure I get the fastest RAM compatible with the new chip and motherboard.

Thanks for the help!

Rick

Answer : Problem: Want to upgrade processor and RAM

The first step is to be sure you have at least the P09 BIOS version so the faster P4's will work.   If not, upgrade the system to the latest BIOS BEFORE you change processors.
http://downloadcenter.intel.com/Filter_Results.aspx?strTypes=all&ProductID=889&OSFullName=OS+Independent&lang=eng&strOSs=38&submit=Go%21

The next step is to FIND a compatible Socket 478 3.06GHz, 533MHz FSB Pentium IV.   This can be a bit of a challenge, but there are usually a few on e-bay.   Be sure you don't get a Pentium-M with similar specs (there are a lot of these available).   You want an SL6QC, SL6PG, SL6S5, SL6K7, SL6JJ, or SL6SM processor (these are the Intel sSpec numbers).   Here's an SL6PG currently available on e-bay:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Intel-P4-HT-3-0GHz-533MHz-FSB-512KB-Cache-SL6PG-478-Pin_W0QQitemZ360043937272QQihZ023QQcategoryZ14293QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Finally, as noted above, you can use a max module size of 1GB ... and you need to be sure you get the correct density modules.   The simplest way to ensure compatibility is to buy from one of the vendors who use "selectors" and guarantee compatibility when you buy their suggested modules.   Crucial is an excellent choice [http://www.crucial.com/store/mpartspecs.aspx?mtbpoid=A62467DAA5CA7304 ], and is very competitively priced [the same module is $8 more at Newegg ($2 more plus $6 shipping)].

So the best upgrade you can do for that board is going to cost your around $180 for a new CPU and 2GB of memory.   Depending on what you have in it now, that may or may not be a worthwhile expense.   I would seriously consider buying a new motherboard/CPU/memory combo with an Intel Core-based processor.   The performance increase would be HUGE relative to what you're considering here.

Something like this:

   Motherboard ($67):  http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128078
   Memory - 2GB ($40):  http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820211066
   CPU - E2180 ($78):  http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116052

That's $195 for a MUCH better upgrade to your system.   For not much more, you could use a better CPU and/or go with 4GB of memory ==> and have a system that was MUCH more likely to satisfy you for a few more years than simply upgrading your current motherboard.