Processor help.

[Inconclusive]

I had an old computer sitting about so today I decided to take upon myself to format it, update all the drivers (used Driver Genius) and get security on it.

It's not a bad little machine but not the best, so I'm going to make it a project. I know the processor is where I should probably start and have no idea what I can upgrade to. I will supply as much information on the computer as possible in the hope that I can get some feedback.

Thanks for any help.

 

[robertris2]

That's an lga 775 board, which supports;
Pentium D (Smithfield) up to 3.2 GHz and Pentium4 (Prescott) up to 580 and 670.

If you can find a cpu that will work, chances are its at a high price.

 

[Inconclusive]

Will they make a substantial difference? Will they bring my Windows Experience Index rating up?

I will Google some now.

 

[robertris2]

You may see a noticeable difference, but nothing ground breaking. You have to figure out if the price/performance ratio stacks up in your favor.

 

[kelthic]

What is your budget for this? you would see better returns by upgrading your cpu and motherboard together to something newer.

 

[DJDeCiBeL]

Will they bring my Windows Experience Index rating up?

WEI is a joke, so don't worry about that part. But I agree with kelthic, a new mobo/CPU combo will probably be a much wiser investment.

 

[Inconclusive]

What is your budget for this? you would see better returns by upgrading your cpu and motherboard together to something newer.

I don't have a budget, I was hoping you guys would give me a rough price.

Yes, I would upgrade my mobo too.

You got any ideas? Must fit my current case though.

 

[robertris2]

I don't have a budget, I was hoping you guys would give me a rough price.

Yes, I would upgrade my mobo too.

You got any ideas? Must fit my current case though.

Well... Which case do you have?

 

[kelthic]

Also what do you want to be able to do with this pc. when you say "I don't have a budget", that leaves room for every conceivable upgrade under the sun. You might get an i3 suggestion, which would be a relatively budget purchase, or you might get an i7-3770k suggestion, which would be very expensive and one of the best cpu's on the market. It's hard to judge where to start unless you provide a little more direction for us.

 

[Inconclusive]

Well... Which case do you have?

I take it you didn't look at the pictures?

The case for the HP Pavilion 061.

This one to be exact.

 

[Inconclusive]

Also what do you want to be able to do with this pc. when you say "I don't have a budget", that leaves room for every conceivable upgrade under the sun. You might get an i3 suggestion, which would be a relatively budget purchase, or you might get an i7-3770k suggestion, which would be very expensive and one of the best cpu's on the market. It's hard to judge where to start unless you provide a little more direction for us.

I see where you're coming from.

I just plan to use it for my son to play some Lord of the Rings game online with no lag and medium graphics. He uses Photoshop as well but only for small time stuff so as long as it can run okay that is fine. I don't need or want to pay a fortune.

Maybe in the region of £100 - £150?

 

[kelthic]

LOTRO is a pretty fun game. Go with an I3 2120 and an H61 motherboard and you should have a pretty good start on the computer.

 

[Inconclusive]

LOTRO is a pretty fun game. Go with an I3 2120 and an H61 motherboard and you should have a pretty good start on the computer.

I Googled h61 but lots of different mobos came up.

Could your provide a link please?

 

[kelthic]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115077
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157315

Sorry these are american links.

 

[DJDeCiBeL]

One like this would work just fine for you I think. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157236 It's mATX, but it'll suit your needs.

Edit: just saw that kelthic just posted a link for basically the same one without HDMI, but either one will do.

 

[Inconclusive]

Thanks a lot guys, would my other parts and case be compatible too?

 

[kelthic]

One like this would work just fine for you I think. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157236 It's mATX, but it'll suit your needs.

Edit: just saw that kelthic just posted a link for basically the same one without HDMI, but either one will do.

good pick!

 

[DJDeCiBeL]

Thanks a lot guys, would my other parts and case be compatible too?

Well, you would definitely need new RAM too, actually. And here's the sticky bit: You might actually need a new HDD and optical drive too, if they're not SATA.

 

[DJDeCiBeL]

Addendum to my post above: You COULD use a PCI IDE card for the optical drive, but the HDD would have to be SATA, since you can't boot from an IDE device on a PCI card I don't think.

 

[robertris2]

Lol you may also need a new psu.

 

[kelthic]

agree with the ram, the HDD can use an adapter from ide to sata. Also, now that i'm thinking about it, you're windows license is prob tied to the old motherboard with an HP computer... Might be better to consider some other options.

 

[DJDeCiBeL]

Lol you may also need a new psu.

I think that may be the ONE thing he won't have to replace. Even a 250W PSU should be fine without a discreet GPU.

 

[DJDeCiBeL]

But yes, after some thought, it seems that the best Pentium D or P4 that you can find that works with that mobo is your best option after all, on that budget.

 

[robertris2]

I think that may be the ONE thing he won't have to replace. Even a 250W PSU should be fine without a discreet GPU.

Won't he need an 8 pin atx for the cpu? What if he has no sata plugs

 

[DJDeCiBeL]

Won't he need an 8 pin atx for the cpu? What if he has no sata plugs

Yep, you're right. I was stupidly assuming that it would, lol.