Earlier in the week I posted some information about an off-the-shelf HP I bought, and slightly modified. It has a E2200. So far, I am very happy with the performance.

However, I imagine in a few years I will want to upgrade the CPU. I cannot overclock, the BIOS is locked (no fsb options). So I can imagine that eventually I will want to repalce the CPU.

What is a good CPU that will work with this system, remembering I cannot change the fsb?

Also, the CPU fan is screwed into the motherboard. It's hard to describe, it's not a hack...it's an ASUS motherboard and an ASUS fan...it's just uses screws to attach put pressure on the chip. I'm used to those levers that apply pressure, not screws. But it's been a while since I've worked with hardware, so it just might be the way things are done. Is that the case, or will I have problems with the fans that come with any upgrade CPU...or aftermarket cooler?

Nehalem will come out at the end of the year, replacement cpus for LGA775 will be hard to come by, by then.
Also i can't say what cpu you can get without knowing what motherboard you have now. Download Everest ultimate @ www.lavalys.com
and post here what chipset/mobo it says you have.

The new LGA 775 HSFs don't use levers any more. Do you have push pins(plastic) or metal screws?

Imo, why upgrade a HP? Get a new motherboard/case(and may be new PSU) and just OC the E2x00 CPUs. They can easily hit 3Ghz+ with a little work and a good motherboard (hint: P35-DS3L for that chip)

+1 Ya just can't make a silk purse out of sow's ear! Ditch the case, get a new mobo, psu, 2-4gb pc6400, and a decent GPU if you game and voila'. You are back in business with a budget competitive system .

+1 Ya just can't make a silk purse out of sow's ear! Ditch the case, get a new mobo(DS3L is a great board), Arctic 7 pro, psu, 2-4gb pc6400, and a decent GPU if you game and voila'. You are back in business with a budget competitive system .

You guys need to read his old thread, we've been thru this...
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/ [...] henom-9500

Check HP.com for details on your model, they should have a list of compatable processors.

Well if you did want to buy a new mobo you could try to pin mod the e2200. I have never tried it but if it works it should give you 2.9ghz and that would be good jump in performance.
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/228129-28-e4300

Thanks for the replies. I should have mentioned when I said "slightly modified", I meant I put an Antec 500w PSU and a 8800GT GPU in.

The system is fine, I'm happy with it. And I didn't pay hardly anything for it. I'm just thinking about a year or so from now, what I can do.

@B-Unit: That thread was a different topic. I'm asking what upgrade path I have, not looking at my current performance.