Check this out for compatability

http://support.intel.com/support/motherboards/desktop/d845wn/sb/cs-008944.htm

Faster FSB CPU's simply won't work.

The old 400MHz 2.6 is the fastest it can handle, according to Intel.

 

if its possible the only think you might be able to do is change the multiplier. Which the multiplier on that is x4, hence 400fsbx4=1600mhz. Say if you were to change the multiplier to 6, it would be 400x6=2400mhz. But I dont know a whole lot about old p4s, if you can change the multiplier but you can check in the bios though.

 

Correct me if I'm wrong... but I don't think it'll even POST with an 800 {or 512) MHz CPU, so it'd be difficult to change the Multi!!!!

You are probably better saving a bit of cash and getting a cheap Core2 - like an E2160, board & RAM. That'd eat the old P4 for breakfast.

You could always source a used 'board + 800FSB CPU {don't get a Celeron! get the "proper" P4}, but I'm seeing a lot of failing P4 S478 motherboards at work at the moment, so it'd be a bit of a gamble.

 

Thanks for the advice. I think I'll keep it cheap-ish and just get exactly what Intel says to get bus-wise. Can't justify spending much (to get the next generation of good stuff) as I've used up my "spending money on myself" credits with my wife! Looked in to 2.5 P4 Pentium.