Upgrading CPU's in two different computers

[ERK40]

I have a Dell Dimension 2350 and an Emachines W3644.

Both have factory motherboards and CPU's in them and I am just wondering about upgrading the CPU's.

The Emachine will be used more for gaming (but not major gaming) It already has a 8600GT video card in it. I have played Fallout 3 without major glitches.

I am currently building me a gaming computer but my son will be getting this one and I want him to be able to play a few more current games on it.

The Dell dimension 2350 I am just wondering how high I can go on a CPU for it.

Both have XP 32 bit and I will not be changing this.

 

[13thmonkey]

you need to tell us what they current have installed, and if you have a budget. 90% the dell will have a mobo that will be limited in what it can accept.

 

[ERK40]

emachine has a AMD Sempron 2.4

Dell Dimension 2350 has an IntelP4 1.7

It's not so much as a budget has I just wanted to see how high I can upgrade the CPU's with the factory motherboards installed.

 

[Deleted member 217926]

I'm going out on a limb here ( not really ) and say no they can't be upgraded in any meaningful way that's not a complete waste of time and money for you. Both those systems are completely obsolete to the point you almost could not give them away. A P4 1.7Ghz will not even be able to do high def video on youtube. An 8600GT is about as good as you are going to get without creating a huge bottleneck ( and you might be bottlenecking with that ) with the Sempron.

 

[13thmonkey]

+1 thats where I was going to end up. The case, and HDD can be reused, maybe the PSU, but they tended to size them perfectly and no more. Actually the hdd being ide is probably junk too. Sorry, not the news you wanted.

 

[jaguarskx]

Sadly, your PCs are a bit too old to upgrade. That's assuming the motherboards can accept more powerful CPUs.

The best thing to do is to buy new computers if you are looking for more performance. Your other option is to buy used PCs as long as they not expensive for the performance that can give.

 

[ERK40]

I'm back after doing a little bit of homework (at least on the emachine)

This is the emachine I have

http://support.gateway.com/emachines/emac/1015006R/1015006Rsp3.shtml

This is the motherboard specs

http://support.gateway.com/emachines/MOTHERBD/Shared/4006232R/4006232Rsp2.shtml

It says it can run a an Athlon 64X2 dual core CPU. Socket AM2. Can a socket AM2+ cpu work? And if I do put another CPU in it what am I supposed to look for in the CPU I pick?I know I can find an Athlon 64X2 dual core on ebay. WOuld a 2.1 dual core be faster than a 2.1 single core? I do plan on getting a new PSU for the emachine since it is a 300w. I was going to try for a 400 or 450w one.

Also on the computer specs it say it can be upgraded to 2GB or Ram which I currently have it but on the motherboard specs it say 4GB of ram. So can I put 2 2gb ram in each slot as opposed to one?

I know you guys said these are too old to upgrade but they are not going to be used online for anything other than updates. These are just something for the kids to have around to play with. Nothing major.

I do know on the Dell I discovered I can only go up to 2 512MB of ram which it is at currently. I had read somewhere (but can't find it) that I could put a P4 2.5 in it as opposed to the 1.7 but I am not sure.

Edit: just found the notes I made on the Dell.

Motherboard is a 7W080 Socket 478 400mzh if that means anything.

 

[InvalidError]

In both cases, you would probably do yourself a favor by going with a new motherboard+CPU+RAM combo.

DDR2 is quite expensive these days, about twice as expensive as DDR3. If you are going to upgrade CPU + RAM, you may as well upgrade to a motherboard with DDR3 support in the process which is going to give you access to much more interesting CPU choices along with all the other benefits from having a modern platform for only $75 or so more.

 

[ERK40]

Best answer selected by ERK40.

 

[I B Normal]

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