CPU Upgrade info needed

[Keithchr]

Hi,

If you look at my spec you will see that it has a low processor speed of 1.5ghz. I know this is not really ideal for importing analogue video and editing video and therefore I am looking to fit a faster processor. Can I do this myself? - I managed to fit a new HDD and DVD Burner and some memory. Will I have to fit a new motherboard too if I upgrade to say 2.4Ghz. I Think the fastest chip my mb will support is 2Ghz. I am I right in thinking that it is not worth upgrading to 2Ghz from 1.5Ghz. I am in the UK. Any comments would be appreciated.

[dxj40c]

You are probably right. You might be ready for a MB upgrade. But, the downside is you will most likely have to use a different kind of RAM and video card. I've done this kind of upgrade twice (PII>PIII and PIII>P4), every time I've had to buy different RAM and video card (AGP, AGP4). This makes the over-all upgrade a bit pricey.

I've noticed though, that some boards (usually manufactured during a 'transition' period) will accept both the older and newer RAM and/or AGP slot type; I would like to think they are doing us a service, but, more than likely, they are just making use of their old parts, but a little careful shopping may fix you up at minimal expense. Good luck.

[redwudz]

Not sure on your memory type, but if it is PC133, you would see a large speed increase with DDR~3200 memory. It would probably be best if you changed out the motherboard. Get a micro ATX MB as that seems the size you have presently. About 512MB DDR3200, a separate graphics card, maybe 8X AGP. A faster processor, for a AMD CPU, around 3GHZ.

If your case is easy to work on, it's not really that hard. Remember you need a good CPU cooler also. The Micro ATX boards are mostly interchangeable.

Another option that may be easier is a 'bare bones' package. New case, MB, memory, CPU. You supply the HDs and CD, etc., from your old machine.

There are a bunch of 'How to' sites out there on building a computer, just look around.

No matter what your decision, spend a lot of time researching. It will really pay off in the long term.

[Cobra]

Keith,

How much do you have to spend, and what do you want taken from your current system? Since you are in the UK, I could try knocking up a crude specification for you to work off.

Cobra

[Keithchr]

Thanks very much for the help guys.

[Keithchr]

Hi Cobra,

I would like to keep most of my existing kit: hard Drives. dvd rom and dvd burner...would it be an idea to have a better graphics card? At the moment I use on board sound via ac97 is it?

I just want to make my video's smoother and render more quickly. I am by no means an expert. I dont mind spending around £3-400 if this will give me what I need. Appreciate your time.

[Cobra]

Keith,

All my prices have come direct from eBuyer UK (www.ebuyer.co.uk). The digits in brackets are QuickFind codes - put them into the search box on eBuyer and it will take you right to the product. I should remind you that clock speeds (GHz) can't account for actual speed when comparing between different processors - the Athlon64 CPUs will perform much faster for a given clock speed than your current CPU.

I have made several options that should be very nice:

1 - AMD Sempron-based:

- AMD Sempron XP2600 Retail (inc. heatsink/fan) (65078)
- 512MB Crucial PC3200 (DDR400) RAM (46420)
- Asus A7N8X-E Deluxe motherboard (58198)

£191.35 inc VAT and shipping

2 - AMD Athlon64-based (1.8GHz):

- AMD Athlon64 2800+ Retail (inc heatsink/fan) (62050)
- 512MB Crucial PC3200 (DDR400) RAM (46420)
- Asus K8V-SE Deluxe motherboard (59993)

£242.12 inc VAT and shipping

3 - AMD Athlon64-based (2.4GHz):

- AMD Athlon64 3400+ Retail (inc heatsink/fan) (58432)
- 512MB Crucial PC3200 (DDR400) RAM (46420)
- Asus K8V-SE Deluxe motherboard (59993)

£308.36 inc VAT and shipping
£374.15 inc VAT and shipping (if you add another 512MB Crucial RAM)

I have suggested the Crucial RAM as opposed to the cheaper eBuyer RAM as I have experienced many problems with eBuyer and Viking RAM - all modules seem to fail MemTest and some are so choppy they crash Windows XP during installation.

Should you require a case and PSU (Power Supply Unit) I would suggest this:

- Ebuyer Value KME 5260 (silver finish with a side window, 400W PSU included) (51366)
- Ebuyer AC Power Lead (Kettle Type) (20293)

£34.06 inc VAT (if ordered with the other items, will not increase delivery charge)

You may also wish to add fans to your system to keep it cool. I would suggest these:

- LED 8cm Case Fan Green LEDs (43061) x 3

£2.94 for three inc VAT (again, delivery should not change)

With these fans, I would suggest you place them:

- One at the front, pulling air inwards (there is a mounting on the hard drive caddy - means your hard drives are kept cold)
- One on the side panel (there is a special fixture for it on that case) pulling air inwards
- One on the rear panel, lower mounting, extracting air

This will keep the airflow balanced (your fourth extractor fan is in the PSU) and will give good airflow through your case.

You can take the:

- Hard drives
- Optical drives
- Floppy drive
- Graphics card
- Connectors (IDE, Floppy cable, audio connections)

...out of your current PC and use them in your new one. They should all fit fine.


As far as I can see, the purchase of these components as required should build you up a really nice machine. It all depends on your budget.

I hope this helps,

Cobra