this is my motherboard specs: (don't laugh) http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/genericDocument?lc=en&cc=us&dlc=en&docname=c00022505

This is the processor I'm wanting to buy:                                                        Key Features
Product Type Processor
Front Side Bus Speed 800 MHz
Processor Type Pentium 4
Socket Type Socket 478
Package Type Retail

 
Processor
Product Type Processor
Manufacturer Intel
Processor Type Pentium 4
Clock Speed 3.2 GHz
Processor Instruction Set Intel MMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3


Processor Specifications:
sSpec Number:
CPU Speed:
PCG:
Bus Speed:
Bus/Core Ratio:
L2 Cache Size:
L2 Cache Speed:
SL7B8
3.20E GHz

800 MHz
16
1 MB
3.2 GHz Package Type:
Manufacturing Technology:
Core Stepping:
CPUID String:
Thermal Design Power:
Thermal Specification:
Core Voltage:
478 pin
90 nm
C0
0F33h
103W
73.2°C
1.25V-1.525V
 
Memory
L2 Cache Size 1 MB
L1 Cache Size 16 KB

 
Other Features
Included Devices Cooling Fan, Heat Sink
Processor Features Hyper-Threading Technology
Compatible Chipsets Intel 865G, Intel 865GV, Intel 865P, Intel 865PE, Intel 875P



This should work for my motherboard even though its a Prescot and i currently have a northwood in my motherboard? and also do you think $120 is a good deal?

Whats the difference with the OEM and a retail? I already have a bigger fan and heatsink than what came with mine so would it make a difference if i got the one with the fan and heatsink?

Hey Guys, been a while. Thought I'd stop by and see if any one has dipped into cod4 yet and came across veni's post - I see it's a little dated - dont know if he went and bought that socket 478 yet but wanted to suggest maybe something socket 775 instead - processors have improved greatly with the new socket and the cost has dropped substantially - i recently bought a mobo+cpu combo from tiger direct for nearly the same price ( http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3312415&CatId=1599) except the cpu is a p4 3.2 with a 2 meg cache. a nice improvement over my previous 2.8 p4. I know you may have just wanted to upgrade the cpu but for that much, for a p4, you could still get a p4 with a better chipset. Also if your case is roomy enough you can get some really good cpu coolers for cheap; Some examples - http://www.xoxide.com/intelsocket775.html - I got the arctic freezer for a whopping 25$ which dropped my cpu temp from 140 degrees with the shitty stock intel fan to around 96-100 degrees with the new cooler.

OEM=Origional Equipment Manufacturer=Usually means just what you ask for, i.e. just the proc, or mobo, or vid card-no drivers or manuals or extra fluff-usually plain box-great way to save cost but no support or software.