PC Help

Azurel · The Bringer of Levels Gender: Joined: 24 Sep 2002

Ok, I recently learned that it is possible to upgrade your processor, as long as it's within the same model line. In my case, a higher AMD than the one I have. The problem is I have no idea how to go about this. What do I need to know before I start looking around for a new processor?

Silver Adept · Otaku Lord Age: 41 Gender: Joined: 20 May 2003

First, you need to know what type of Socket your motherboard is. Most AMD chips use the Socket A type, but you should be sure of this. Knowing what type (Athlon, Duron, etc.) and speed your current processor is will give you an idea of what Socket it is in.

From there, all you need to do is find a processor that fits your Socket and that your motherboard can handle. (Some MB's can't handle the newest top-o-the line stuff.)

Generally, I tend to upgrade in a package - both motherboard and processor, just so there's no chance of incompatibility or the processor's talents going to waste because the board can't handle it.

Azurel · The Bringer of Levels Gender: Joined: 24 Sep 2002

out of curiosity, do you know how much that would cost to get a medium to high-end MB and processor?

Silver Adept · Otaku Lord Age: 41 Gender: Joined: 20 May 2003

Not off the top of my head would I know, but I tend to make a generally good guess that you should probably budget about $500 US for a pretty good motherboard and processor. It may nto end up costing that much, but that's what you should think about in terms of power supply, motherboard, and processor (realized that the power supply's also very important if you're upgrading.)

Shino · Posted: Mon Aug 09, 2004 8:37 am Post subject:

http://www.pricewatch.com/

Best place to find the lowest price. This is where I found my ram.

Azurel · The Bringer of Levels Gender: Joined: 24 Sep 2002

So if I get a motherboard/processor set, does that mean that I don't have to worry about it being another AMD? i.e. if I get a package motherboard with pentium 4, then I can replace my current motherboard with the AMD?

Shino · Posted: Mon Aug 09, 2004 1:14 pm Post subject:

In theory if all PC parts work for both types of processors.

I have not heard of any incompatibilities of hardware, but i would do a little research before going down that route.

Let me know what you find.

Silver Adept · Otaku Lord Age: 41 Gender: Joined: 20 May 2003

That's why you need to pay attention to the Socket designs. Chips of the same Socket will interchange. Chips of different Sockets won't.

And there are certain chipsets that tend to perform well with one manufacterer and poorly with another, so pay attention there, too.

If you get the package, the motherboard and processor should work with each other, so you won't have to worry about what manufacturer it is.

Musashi · Scrummy Translator Gender: Joined: 07 Nov 2002

Try . I didn't actually buy my motherboard and processor here, but I did order some other things for the PC I built. Service was absolutely top notch. Extremely fast shipping (Free FedEx on most items). Excellent prices. They also have about a 9.5/10 rating at resellerratings.com

I got an ASUS P4C800-E Deluxe Motherboard. From what I gathered it was pretty much top of the line as far as Asus P4 boards go (assuming you want to go P4 and not AMD). Processor I got was a P4 3.0Ghz, 800Mhz FSB, 512Kb cache. All together, it ran me about $420 or so, though if I'd ordered it from Newegg I would've gotten it a little cheaper.

And yeah, if you get a new motherboard and processor, for the most part you should be able to plug all your other components into the new board regardless of whether its AMD or Intel.

Azurel · The Bringer of Levels Gender: Joined: 24 Sep 2002

I've found my solution, I'm buying a new computer. I need to save maybe $100 more before I can get all the components that I need added on.