hi gamingmage, thanks for the quick info, the problem with dell pc components
not always are compatable with other makes of parts, i had a similar problem in the past,i'm using a new biostar motherboard which i had there sitting for a while and i'm trying to use it as it has a lot of good features on it, besides the cpu i described it can also take a intel p4 x 3.06ghz x 533mhz.
thanks again
oskyad1