Suggested mobo upgrade

You'll want to upgrade both the CPU and motherboard at the same time, otherwise you'll be stuck with Socket 775, which is basically a discontinued technology.

If you don't have $800 to pony up for a complete new system right away, I'd recommend an AMD quad-core (or at least triple-core) processor, which you can get in a combo deal with a motherboard for under $200

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?Ite...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?Ite...

Either of those deals should let you keep your existing DDR2 RAM, and the motherboards come with onboard video, which should hold you over until you can get an add-on graphics card.

When you're ready for a GPU, a 58xx series will be well matched to that processor, though if she's not planning on doing gaming, you don't need anything nearly as powerful. Or if she plans on gaming but don't have a big budget, a 5770 will do. Yes, at that point, you will need to upgrade the power supply also.

she uses the hp pavillion above.
internet, farm town, farmville, internet gaming alot!
she isnt into the real heavy gaming, yet, on board graphics will work for now, but I see no upgrade path for what she has now and would like to future proof her system.
It has ddr2 ram currently, but it is only pc2-5300 (333mhz)
Id like to be able to do a little tweaking for her, especially after she used my new x2 550 BE build!!
I was looking at this combo option from newegg:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?Ite...

reasonable cost, as I have just spent a bit of cash on my build.

the only other thing I will probably add is a better psu and some faster ram.
Any thoughts on the above combo guys?

I defintitely see your point with the quad, capt_taco.
I tnik we'll go with your orininal suggestions.
Thanx man.
Jeff

Best answer selected by jhandley.

Well,
Looking at the available processors for the board, the prices on the faster intel cpu's that would work seem pretty high, and there is no upgrade path beyond that.
For a little more than what I would be paying for the cpu I can get a newer cpu and mobo..
Unless im not looking at the right processors!

according to the mobo spec page:

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=c00...

•Socket: 775
•Supports the following processors:
◦Core 2 Duo E6x00
◦Core 2 Duo E4x00
◦Pentium D 9x0 Dual Core
◦Pentium D 8xx Dual Core
◦Pentium 4 6x1 series
◦Celeron D 3xx series

I did find this:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

according to the mobo specs, it should work, no?

and she would like to play some newer games, crysis, wow, fallout. etc. games of that nature
She also plays alot of online poker as well.

I don't think your existing motherboard will support a quad core.

Socket 775 CPUs can use either 65nm or 45nm technology, with 45nm being what most of the newer and better processors use. A lot of older motherboards only support 65nm, and if that's the case, then you are not only limited to Socket 775 CPUs, but basically to Socket 775 CPUs that came out in 2007 or earlier. Which would rule out a Q8200. It looks like all the CPUs on your support list from HP are 65nm and top out at dual-cores, so that's not a good sign.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Intel_Core_2_micro...

Now, it's often that a mobo manufacturer will come out with a BIOS update that lets the board deal with newer CPUs (which would at least let you use a handful of 65nm quad cores like the Q6600) ... but since this is a board made specifically for HP, I don't think it's too likely there will be any BIOS updates. HP wants you to buy a new machine; they don't make any money if you upgrade your old one.

In summary, while there's a chance you'll be able to save a few bucks and just drop a late-model quad core like a Q8200 into the existing motherboard, I'd say it's a slim chance, and there will be a lot of uncertainty until the moment you try. The AMD quad core is going to work for sure, and I'm about 75% sure your existing board is going to top out below the AMD's performance level anyway.

I guess what the issue comes down to is, how serious is she about playing Crysis or anything on that level.

If you're not looking for a full-on gaming rig, I agree, just replacing the CPU is going to be the cheaper improvement, and it'll be plenty for doing Internet gaming and the like that you mentioned. A noticeable upgrade, but understand that it'll be the max for that machine unless you rip out the motherboard.

If she really IS looking to play a lot of newer games, $150 for a newer motherboard and current-generation CPU is where to start. It's really your call to figure out whether or not that's a waste of money for your purposes.

I agree with minimizing the upgrade for her by sticking with the c2d line, now the choice becomes the limit on the processor side as well as if I want to overclock a little.

I like the combo that zipzoomfly posted as it gives me options.
Im assuming backward compatibiltiy with the DDR2 667 PC2 5300 ram?

BUT, I would still be at the end of any possible upgrade path with said equipment!!
Tough choices, these.

Most bang for the buck now vs future proofing her system?

Actual cost out of pocket appears to be about the same, a little less with the c2d processor / mobo upgrade since i can use everything else she has including the ram.


I may just go that route for now and see if she makes full use of it.
Surely I can do better than the 1.6 ghz she has now!

One thing for sure is dropping the locked mobo, now that i know a bit more, I want the option to do some tweaking!

I really appreciate the help you guys, youve thrown some options out there for me to consider.

Well, you're right about one thing -- either option is definitely going to beat the dog poop out of what she's got now. Whichever you decide, good luck!

Ya!!
After using my new X2 550 build and jumping onto hers I feel like I went back in time to my old zeos 386 sx!!!!

Thanx for the assist man.

This topic has been closed by Mousemonkey