How do I upgrade CPU?

[xthekidx]

So I'm looking at buying this computer from someone for cheap and most of the components look pretty good except the cpu is kinda slow. Its a Core2Duo 6400 2.13GHZ. He has a Gigabyte GA965P motherboard in his system and I want to upgrade the cpu to an 3 ghz intel core2duo or maybe a core2quad.

So I need to know how exactly I go about doing this (how do I replace the old cpu with a new one), and what cpu do people recommend for best price/performance ratio?

 

[alvine]

ok here is your motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128012
now you have to look at processors
i would recommend q9550
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115041

 

[xthekidx]

forgot to mention; this is a computer that i am buying for a friend (she doesn't know anything about computers so i am trying to get her a good deal on a decent computer). She mostly uses itunes, the web, some word processing, and your other everyday stuff. she isn't a big gamer. she wants a computer that will be good enough to run apps well for several years to come, preferably something that can multitask fairly well. (last time she bought a computer was like 6 years ago).

 

[jsc]

The 965 motherboard may not support the Q9000 series CPU's. In that case a Q6600 would be an excellent choice. Put on a decent HSF and OC it to 3.3 GHz. For another $50, add 4 GB of your memory brand of choice.

 

[Nik_I]

forgot to mention; this is a computer that i am buying for a friend (she doesn't know anything about computers so i am trying to get her a good deal on a decent computer). She mostly uses itunes, the web, some word processing, and your other everyday stuff. she isn't a big gamer. she wants a computer that will be good enough to run apps well for several years to come, preferably something that can multitask fairly well. (last time she bought a computer was like 6 years ago).

if that's all she uses her computer for, and she can keep it for that long, then an E6400 would be plenty.

 

[jsc]

The 965 motherboard may not support the Q9000 series CPU's. In that case a Q6600 would be an excellent choice. Put on a decent HSF and OC it to 3.3 GHz. For another $50, add 4 GB of your memory brand of choice.

Or to avoid any problems with overclocking, just use the stock HSF and run it at 2.4 GHz.

 

[nocteratus]

it depends on the rev of the MB GA-965P-DS3, rev 1.0 & 2.0 don't support the q9550.
Rev 1.0 is limited to 65mn CPU with a max of 1066 fsb.
Rev 2.0 support some 45mn CPU with a 1333 OC fsb.
Rev 3.0 support almost all but non officially the 45mn at max 1333 fsb.