Clarification on processor support

[seven_deuce offsuit]

I have a Gateway Media Center PC GX7022E with an Intel D945GBI motherboard (http://support.gateway.com/s//MOTHERBD/Intel2/WMEOEMD945GBIG1/WMEOEMD945GBIG1nv.shtml) and a 82945G/945G Intel Chipset (Gateway 2000 82945G).

I've been reading threads that say that a motherboard with a 945G chipset can't support a Core 2 Duo processor when on Intel's site says they can.

http://www.intel.com/products/desktop/chipsets/945g/945g-overview.htm

This PDF says the same thing but in more detail (just type Core 2 Duo in the search box).

http://www.intel.com/Assets/PDF/datasheet/307502.pdf

Are there 945G chipsets that can't support Core 2 Duo, and more importantly, can my motherboard support it?

There is a 1066MHz FSB limitation on my motherboard so 1333MHz Core 2 Duos will obviously not work.

[RabidDog]

There is a 1066MHz FSB limitation on my motherboard so 1333MHz Core 2 Duos will obviously not work..

THey might actually work, and work well, but you might have to fiddle about with the FSB speed and/or get an unlocked chip .. or just run it 266mhz slower-er than normal..

[seven_deuce offsuit]

I was leaning towards the E7300 or the E7400 and was wondering if processors like those would work on my motherboard.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2010340343%201051707842%20...2&name=1066MHz

THey might actually work, and work well, but you might have to fiddle about with the FSB speed and/or get an unlocked chip .. or just run it 266mhz slower-er than normal..

I've never heard of a 1333MHz CPU working on a 1066Mhz motherboard and I really don't want to risk spending money to find out. But if it does, I'll take the E8500 right now.

[jagabo]

I've never heard of a 1333MHz CPU working on a 1066Mhz motherboard and I really don't want to risk spending money to find out. But if it does, I'll take the E8500 right now.

It will work, it will just run 20 percent slower.

[seven_deuce offsuit]

How would an E7400 1066 @ 2.8GHz compare to an E8500 1333 @ 3.16GHz running 20% slower?

[INFRATOM]

The difference between upgrade and building a new system is not much and what will you do with the parts you take out. That said check these options
Buying CPU in places like frys you get a motherboard included RAM in these days is around $30 after rebate.
You can get a G31 motherboard for $50 it accepts all kind of CPU it also has built in graphics very stable you can add your video card too.
If you do video work mostly go for Quad. Tell us how much you want to spend? we'll give you suggestions.

[seven_deuce offsuit]

Well, I was actually just looking to only upgrading my CPU until I save up for a Core i7 build in the future (which is going to take a while).

But if I were to build a budget rig it would look like this.

• Processor:
  
  Q6600 2.4GHz http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115017
  
  Fan/Heatsink:
  
  Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835186134
  
  I plan on overclocking the Q6600.
  
  Motherboard:
  
  Gigabyte G31 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128357
  
  RAM:
  
  2 G.SKILL 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231098
  
  Hard Drive:
  
  Western Digital Caviar Black 640GBs http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136319
  
  CD/DVD Drive:
  
  LG Black CD/DVD Burner http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136152
  
  Computer Case:
  
  Cooler Master Centurion 5 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119068
  
  I excluded a video card and power supply because I already upgraded those recently. I'm good with the monitor I'm using for now so I didn't include that either.

I compiled this list rather briefly and altogether adds up to about $500 excluding shipping and taxes, so it might end at around $575. What do you guys think? Any suggestions on how I can make this budget PC cheaper, keeping in mind that I do a lot of video editing and encoding? Or is the price good enough for a budget build?

[jagabo]

How would an E7400 1066 @ 2.8GHz compare to an E8500 1333 @ 3.16GHz running 20% slower?

The E7400 will be running at its rated clock speed of 2.8 GHz. The E8500 will be running 20 percent slower than its rated clock speed, about 2.5 GHz. Although the E8500 has more L2 cache the higher clocked E7400 will be faster in most applications.

You may need a BIOS update to support the new CPU. Perform the BIOS update before installing the new CPU.

Intel quad core price cuts on Jan 18?
http://www.theinquirer.net/inquirer/news/390/1050390/intel-price-cuts-loom

[JohnnyMalaria]

I have a similar motherboard on my Gateway - an Intel D945GCZ.

It's operating voltage is 1.25 - 1.4V

The Core 2 Duo is 0.85V – 1.3625V.

This difference is one of the reasons I chose not to upgrade the CPU since the board doesn't permit voltage adjustment. There was another which quashed my excitement at the time but I can't recall what it was.

[DarrellS]

If you're going to use onboard video, I'd go for a G43 or G45 chipset. The G945 doesn't support HD and neither does the G31.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128354

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128353

Five SATA connectors, eSATA, Firewire, DVI and HDMI

[seven_deuce offsuit]

I have an ATI Radeon HD 4850 that I bought off a friend for only $100 so I jumped at the chance and it works perfectly. I have plans on using it on the G31 for HD support if I decide on getting that particular motherboard.

Intel quad core price cuts on Jan 18?
http://www.theinquirer.net/inquirer/news/390/1050390/intel-price-cuts-loom

Wow, now I'm feeling more inclined to make a new build. Thanks for the good news!