ASUS P5N-E SLI CPU Upgrade

The_Alien

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Hello to all the very clever people reading this! :)

OK so trying to upgrade from Vista with Windows 7 & 8 it appears that my early CPU has issues and so have taken this opportunity to upgrade my CPU but to be honest, I'm a bit lost on all these different types of CPU's and basically would like to know what the fastest available CPU is for my motherboard.
I currently have an Intel(R) Core(TM)2 CPU 6700 @ 2.66GHz, 2666 Mhz, 2 Core(s), but is this the fastest available and also, will this M/B take a quad core?
Given the issues I've had installing Windows, I may upgrade the RAM too but not clear if the DDR2 goes any faster than the 800mhz?
If I can improve on what I currently have, it will mean that I don't have to buy a new M/B etc which would be cost prohibitive.
Any help would be very much appreciated!
Many thanks,
The Alien
 

The_Alien

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Thanks for the prompt reply. I now need to find out what the fastest available is so will have a look around this here site:)
 

The_Alien

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I think I'm going to need it as it's a discontinued item so it looks like I'm going to have to go down the 'used' or eBay (spit!) route unless I can find a supplier with old stock:-(

The Alien
 

The_Alien

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Thanks again!.. I've just ordered one from eBay (I'm in the UK) for £60, be with me on 8th Dec. I'm guessing the BIOS will sort itself out when I plug it up it? I hope that this is the solution to my woes!

I won't be overclocking as that has always made me nervous but, a reasonable step up from my dual 2.66MHz in its native form so, fingers crossed!

Thanks again for your help/guidance!

The Alien
 

Mr_Venbeer

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Glad to hear that. Hopefully everything will run good when it arrives. Good luck ;)
 

Helious

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I have the same motherboard as you and I was running the same original CPU(the one you currently have) and now I run a Quad-core -- it's a huge upgrade, I upgraded to 8GB DDR2 800mhz RAM (I had 4GB originally) and also now run a ASUS GTX 560TI

If I was you, I would upgrade your BIOS, it's very easy to do -- here's a direct link to the latest/last BIOS for that motherboard http://dlcdnet.asus.com/pub/ASUS/mb/socket775/P5N-E%20SLI/1406.zip

which I got from after expanding the BIOS section of downloads http://www.asus.com/Motherboards/P5NE_SLI/HelpDesk_Download/

Good work on buying that CPU, that's an awesome CPU. Be sure to use a good thermal paste and when you apply it don't use too much.
 

The_Alien

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Hi Helious.
Many thanks for confirming I've made the right choice. It appears that the original CPU has issues with Windows 7&8 as it simply won't install either so pleased to hear that the Quad is a good upgrade. I already have 8GB of RAM and if the CPU upgrade doesn't allow me to install Windows and get off of Vista (spit!), then the RAM is the next step, fingers crossed!

I've installed CPU's before and will be careful with the paste, I still have some somewhere from the original build.

Also thanks for the links for the BIOS upgrade, it's the original as I'm always nervous with the BIOS, if that breaks it's game over! So will be very careful!

The Alien
 

The_Alien

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Hi, I've tried to install 8.1 (just get's to the blue window and sits there) and Windows 7 (just keeps looping on installing files) without success and looking on TechNet I read that there are issues with early 64Bit CPU's (which mine is, very early) with later OS's, which is what has brought me to upgrading to a Quad. I've checked all the media etc and all passed so that's all that's left!

I'll find out on Monday! :)

Thanks again.

The Alien.
 

The_Alien

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Well that didn't go well :-(

Put the Quad in and booted up to no POST beep and no video/activity so had to take it out and revert back to the old CPU. Can anybody provide any guidance, please?

Thanks,

The Alien.
 

The_Alien

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Hi Helios,

Did you see my update on the Quad failing; did you experience this?

Thanks,

The Alien
 

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