Computer Questions?

[taker36904]

I have two(2) questions that i really would like to know.My pc is an HP Pavilion 523n.

My first(1st) question is what is the best way to find a processor upgrade.My processor(cpu)is a socket type A.At the moment,i am using AMD Athlon XP 2200+,the speed is 1.80GHz. I went to geeksquad at bestbuy where i live and they said IT IS upgradeable.

My second(2nd) question is what kind of case(tower) can i get to make more room in my pc.

Remember i have a HP Pavilion 523n.
I also added a link of dxdiag that i saved to give you guys a little more information.

Thanks in advance.

dxdiag.txt

[Krispy Kritter]

You should be able to use any socket A cpu. However, the limiting factor will be what the BIOS actually supports. It's possible that the fastest cpu your current BIOS supports, is already in your pc. I've never worked much with HP, so I don't know if they provide BIOS upgrades or not. If they do, they should be available on their website.

As to your second question...Most OEM's don't use standard MB sizes, so aftermarket cases are hit and miss. The only way to know for sure is to try it.

With all of that said...you would be better off building a new pc from scratch. Socket A cpu's and MB's are end of life and hard to find anyway. For the money, you will see a much bigger increase in speed upgrading to newer hardware. For example, you could get a socket 939 (currently being phased out - replaced by socket AM2) 2.2 ghz cpu and generic MB for less than $100 and it should run quite a bit faster (1.5-2 times) than your current hardware.

[ahhaa]

If you want to learn about building computers, its better at first to work on a 2nd computer, keeping one fully working so you can ask Qs, d/l drivers etc.

Many 'real' computer shops should have used, working AMD-based machines in the $100 range. You'd be looking for a 2600 (Barton core) so you can check out overclocking. Consider it buying a CPU & getting the case, PS, HD, etc for free.

You should realize too that BIG changes are happening right now- Vista, 64 bit, dual proc/core machines

[lennyt]

Have you looked at TigerDirect?

http://www.tigerdirect.com/indexus.asp?

[InXess]

The only way to find out what is the fastest processor your computer can take is to check MB specs with the manuf. Most of them provide a list of possible and tested-approved upgrades. HP may be in that respect tough as they are a maker of computer systems not MB's, they have a vested interest in pitching a complete new system to you rather then facilitate user tinkering.

[Nelson37]

OK, you want a new case and a new processor.

For your board, you are limited in CPU upgrade and this makes your old processor worthless.

You can literally find a large, usable case in the trash. Zero cost. Boards will usually fit, but get two.

A new, current motherboard and relatively budget CPU is not that pricey. Sell the old machine for a few bucks, Keep your video card and capture stuff, if no on-board video put an old cheap card in it.

You will need RAM, Power supply, Hard drive. Shop carefully and you will end up with not much more money in the box and a better, more upgradeable PC.

[Ron B]

I have a Barton 2500+, I don't think it would be worth your effort to upgrade.

[budz]

taker36904 you'd be better off in building a new computer. you can still get socket 939 cpu's and mobo's for under $150.00. if you take a look at Ebay the socket A barton 3200+ cpu's prices are over $100.00. you can get a brand new socket 939 processor for $34.50-$60.00. you maybe able to use the old RAM and will definitely need at least 1gb.

[ViRaL1]

Mobo specs here - http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=bph07899&lc=en&cc=us&dlc=en&produc...=90387&lang=en

939 SHOULD support the RAM, but it's a bit slow. You might be able to find a deal on a socket A Sempron if you're not looking to upgrade mobos. It might not be a bad idea to invest in a whole new setup. One of the drawbacks of the HP (as well as other OEMs) cases is that it might take some work to get another board in there and hooked up properly. So a new board may mean a new case and power supply as well.

[InXess]

taker36904, if you can find an inexpensive socket A CPU you may go for it if it makes financial sense to you. You need to pay attention to CPU model as they come in 2 flavors if I remember correctly depending on bus speed. Be sure to have your current CPU and MB specs before you look for a matching replacement. You may up it to Athlon XP 3000+ or 3200+ max I believe (or Sempron). Otherwise a MB/CPU replacement combo, as pointed above, is the next cheapest option.