Let me go ahead and say "I AM NEW HERE".
Well back on topic
I would like to upgrade my cpu/processor in my Dell Dimension 3000 (yep, it's kinda old),from: Intel Celeron CPU 2.40GHz Socket 478 (as it says in my "System Properties") to a Intel Pentium 4 with 3.0+GHz.
What I need to know is what/where I need to buy to make this work.
My price spending range would be around $200.

You wouldn't gain much unless you changed the motherboard too

Well, I'd Rather not go through all of the modding in all of that.
And about getting a new computer, rather not on my budget, not even Refurbished.

So save your money, and don't spend anything on this Dell

What are you trying to gain out of upgrading? What do you do with your PC? How much RAM does it currently have?

2g RAM and Visiontek ATI Radeon X1300 PCI version.

Copy/Paste:

Those proprietary motherboards have such crippled bios, that there is only so much you can do as far as upgrading. Your CPU upgrade is not going to do much for you as I already said. If you want to throw away your money, it's your choice

The best he'll get out of a CPU upgrade is a Pentium 4 3.2GHz with Hyperthreading and a 800MHz FSB. That is a nice step above a Celeron.

If you go that route, you may want to upgrade your RAM with the cash left over and get some that is rated for 800MHz.

That said, if you're trying to play some of the newer games etc., it's not going to happen.

How much would a P4 3.2GHz thats compatible with the Dim3000 cost exactly, and can you provide a link?
Well, if you can't find one, then the Dell Forums say that I can use this one: Intel Pentium 4 3.0E Prescott 3.0GHz 1MB L2 Cache Socket 478 89W Single-Core Processor at Newegg.
All I need to know is that what else would I have to buy heatsink/cooling fan/any part (minus a new mobo/case/new computer) for this processor or the 3.2 GHz version.
Or (I seriously doubt) a better Dim3000 compatible Processor.

If you buy a boxed version of the CPU you'll get a heatsink and fan. You won't need anything else but you might want to upgrade your RAM if the FSB on the new CPU is significantly faster than the old CPU. You may also want to use aftermarket thermal compound.

I don't know all the current prices of every CPU out there heh. Go search around on Ebay (if you feel safe buying your CPU there).

1.read your manual:
http://support.dell.com/support/edoc....htm#wp1075776
2.what you can use depends on how it was origionally configured
3.if this is what your talking about:
http://www.starmicro.net/detail.aspx?ID=509
Google can be your friend, if you use it
The rest is up to you

Thanks for your help.
But finding a boxed version is gonna be a little hard,

Socket 478 Heatsinks.

Hmm.
Hate to be asking again but...
Will this work?
http://item.express.ebay.com/Compute...QtabnavZ7#tabs

I'd assume so - if you're willing to eat that bill :/.

Cheaper to buy an OEM CPU off Newegg and just get the aftermarket cooler.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...name=Pentium+4

Probably my last post/Question on this topic:
So, If I buy this cpu: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819116027
and with this Cooling Fan:
https://www.upgradebay.com/c1_itemde...emid=168733942
Will they work together?

The heatsink supports Socket 478 so yes. However, it's $34, when the link I posted to Newegg has loads that are <$20. Why pay more?

Ok.
After reviewing many heatsinks and fans this is the one I decided on:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835106606
Do I need to upgrade my PSU to make this heatsink and my chosen cpu above work?
I already know where to get those types of PSU and new hard drives that work with my computer from.

Your PSU should be fine. If you run into issues upgrade as necessary - but there's no reason to fix something that isn't broken.