Simple hardware (CPU) question:

LMiller7 · 19 Dec 2015

Up to Windows 7 NX was recommended but not required. Starting with Windows 8 it was required. PAE is often specified as a requirement but it is a prerequisite for NX. You can't have NX without PAE. All 64 bit CPUs support NX. The CPU must also support the SSE2 instruction set.

Windows 8.1 added the requirement that the CPU must support the CMPXCHG16b instruction for a 64 bit OS. All these requirements have been carried over to Windows 10.

Most CPUs in computers capable of running Windows 7 have these necessary features. But there are some exceptions.

TV2 · 20 Dec 2015

I had retired all of my old P4 machines long before Windows 8 came out, so that is why I never ran into the problem and remained ignorant!

HalS · 04 May 2016

JJewell said:

Is there any such thing as a Pentium 4, Socket 478 CPU that meets all of the requirements to run Windows 10?
If there is, which one would it be? Socket 478 responses only please.

Hmm, I think the problem is that while it is a simple question, it is a highly specific CPU question.

Anyway, the answer seems to be yes. http://processorfinder.intel.com
Tick off the search terms for - Type 478 socket - Intel 64 support - Execute Disabled Bit.
And the winner is, Pentium 4 Prescott, No. 511 Intel 4 Processor 511 (1M Cache, 2.80A GHz, 533 MHz FSB) Specifications
On amazon and ebay for around $30.

I had a similar situation upgrading a Dell with a P4 (easier because I had a 775 socket).
Anyway, turns out some early P4 Prescott chips do run 64 & NX, but don't report it correctly, thus all the confusion.

Carsomyr · 04 May 2016

HalS said:

Hmm, I think the problem is that while it is a simple question, it is a highly specific CPU question.

Anyway, the answer seems to be yes. http://processorfinder.intel.com
Tick off the search terms for - Type 478 socket - Intel 64 support - Execute Disabled Bit.
And the winner is, Pentium 4 Prescott, No. 511 Intel 4 Processor 511 (1M Cache, 2.80A GHz, 533 MHz FSB) Specifications

Hate to burst your bubble but that CPU is a socket 775 CPU, not a 478.

HalS · 04 May 2016

Carsomyr said:

Hate to burst your bubble but that CPU is a socket 775 CPU, not a 478.

Eh, Intel says they shipped that CPU in both socket 478 and 775 sockets.
Pics of the processors for sale show some are 478, some are 775.

Intel 4 Processor 511 (1M Cache, 2.80A GHz, 533 MHz FSB) Specifications

Ordering and Spec Information

Retired and Discontinued

Spec Code	Ordering Code	Step	ECCN	CCATS	US HTS	RCP	Socket	TDP

Boxed Intel® Pentium® 4 Processor 511 (1M Cache, 2.80A GHz, 533 MHz FSB) mPGA 478
SL7D8	BX80546PE2800E	C1	3A991.A.1	NA	8473301180-MPU	N/A	PPGA478	95 W
SL7K9	BX80546PE2800E	D1	3A991.A.1	NA	8473301180-MPU	N/A	PPGA478	120 W
SL7E2	BX80546PE2800E	D1	3A991.A.1	NA	8473301180-MPU	N/A	PPGA478	84 W
SL7PK	BX80546PE2800E	E1	3A991.A.1	NA	8473301180-MPU	N/A	PPGA478	84 W
SL88G	BX80546PE2800E	E0	3A991.A.1	NA	8473301180-MPU	N/A	PPGA478	84 W
SL8JX	BX80546PE2800E	G1	3A991.A.1	NA	8473301180-MPU	N/A	PPGA478	95 W

Intel® Pentium® 4 Processor 511 (1M Cache, 2.80A GHz, 533 MHz FSB) mPGA 478, Tray
SL7K9	RK80546PE0721M	D0	3A991.A.1	NA	8473301180-MPU	N/A	PPGA478	115 W
SL7KA	RK80546PG0721M	D0	3A991.A.1	NA	8473301180-MPU	N/A	PPGA478	115 W
SL88H	RK80546PG0721M	E1	3A991.A.1	NA	8473301180-MPU	N/A	PPGA478	95 W
SL8JX	RK80546PE0721M	G1				N/A	PPGA478	84 W

Anyway, I had a 775 pin Prescott in a Dell 5150 that I updated to Win-10. I ran into a problem was that although the processor actually HAD the NX and 64bit commands, it didn't report them to the Win-10 installation program, so it would install the 32bit version of Win10, but not the 64bit version.

Probably not an issue for the OP, I assume they just want to get the 32bit version of Win10 loaded.

HalS · 04 May 2016

Carsomyr said:

JJewell said:

Is there any such thing as a Pentium 4, Socket 478 CPU that meets all of the requirements to run Windows 10?
If there is, which one would it be? Socket 478 responses only please.

Hate to burst your bubble but that CPU is a socket 775 CPU, not a 478.

Hey, good question, actually, now that I think about it, same processor in different sockets....

Looks like the OP might have an even better answer. Yes, there are P4 socket 478 CPU that will run Windows 10.
But they're scarce because they originally cost $1,000, and they might not work with your specific computer's bus and cache setup.

Appears there were actually a few Pentium 4 extreme chips made for 478 sockets!
Pentium 4 Processor Extreme Edition supporting HT Technology 3.40 GHz, 2M Cache, 800 MHz FSB Specifications

Ordering and Spec Information

Retired and Discontinued

Spec Code	Ordering Code	Step	ECCN	CCATS	US HTS	RCP	Socket	TDP

Boxed Intel® Pentium® 4 Processor Extreme Edition supporting HT Technology 3.40 GHz, 2M Cache, 800 MHz FSB, mPGA 478
SL7CH	BX80532PG3400F	M1	3A991.A.1	NA	8473301180-MPU	N/A	PPGA478	102.9 W

Intel® Pentium® 4 Processor Extreme Edition supporting HT Technology 3.40 GHz, 2M Cache, 800 MHz FSB, LGA775, Tray
SL7GD	JM80532PG0962M	M6	3A991.A.1	NA	8473301180-MPU	N/A	PLGA478	102.9 W

Intel® Pentium® 4 Processor Extreme Edition supporting HT Technology 3.40 GHz, 2M Cache, 800 MHz FSB, mPGA 478, Tray
SL7CH	RK80532PG0962M	M0				N/A	PPGA478	70 W

Yikes big problem is the $70 - $180 price tag for a P4EE used processor!