Swapping CPU's

[blown38pontiac]

I currently am running a dell dimension E520 computer. I have been throwing the idea around of building a new computer from scratch but dont really have the money for all of that right now. I was thinking of just swapping the CPU out. Here is what I have.....

Computer is used for mild gaming, photo editing, web browsing, and school related activity. What id like to know is your opinions on if I'd notice a difference with just swapping out the CPU or is it not really worth my money? Also if you have recommendations on CPU's to use and or parts you think I should upgrade. Please give name of part and/or links. Preferably newegg.com Thanks for your time.

 

[baddad]

That chipset should handle a e6700 (check with Dell) and a 9800gt would give you a big boost.

 

[blown38pontiac]

Now what would be the benefits of switching it to a E6700? I'm not to computer savey. I look mainly at the cores and the GHz. Its a dual core with 0.2 less GHz as mine right now.

 

[jsc]

Yes, but the Core2's have a much more efficient architecture. Several years ago, when the Core2's first hit the market, one of the British computer magazines did an issue with a lot of CPU testing. An E6600 (2.4 GHz) was about 40% faster than your chip.

I think there are three thing that the Intel engineers got really right:
The second gen 300A PII Celeron (the semi-oldtimers know what I mean)
The 440BX chipset for the PII and PIII.
And the Core2 architecture..