Changing a cpu

[ronan]

Do any of you computer boffins know is it difficult to change a computers cpu ? My computer isn't very old but it is slow, especially if using anything that requires a bit of grunt like cad/cam or games.
I use the "can i run it" thing online and its frequently the cpu at fault when the computer won't run something.
What can i expect to pay for something decent and up to date ?

 

[tigler]

What puter is it ? As in what operating system and what is the current ECU ?
Desktop is fairly easy, depending on the CPU type. Laptop, can be quite tricky.

 

[GeorgiePorgie]

There are different CPU's and its knowing what the motherboard will take.

CAD/CAM programs require a fast CPU(preferably a quad) along with a dedicated graphics card and ample Memory not to mention a big hardrive..

If your comp is old then you're stuffed.

 

[GeorgiePorgie]

Tell us the specs of your current...not so old comp

 

[Wozzaaah]

Worst case scenario is you drop another mainboard and cpu in, it wouldn't cost you the earth but depending on the rest of the spec it may not be cost-effective. Plenty of cheap, well-specced base units about now.

 

[ronan]

Its only 2 years old , its a desk top , i have replaced the video card and it is faster for things like games , cad etc.
I'm on the laptop now , but i'll fire up the desktop and find out the spec of the current cpu.

p.s the current cpu is Pentium(R) Dual-Core CPU E5300 @ 2.60GHz

 

[mike os]

and the motherboard?

 

[Pete.]

More likely you are running processes that are draining the resources. I would look into killing off every unwanted process before getting into swapping hardware, since it costs nothing to do and you don't have to open the case. Also, how much RAM are you using?

 

[ronan]

and the motherboard?

all i can find out about the computer is here

http://g1w0134.austin.hp.com/bizsup...riesId=4079828&prodTypeId=12454&printver=true

 

[GeorgiePorgie]

Well all the high specs ie mem,HD but naff 2.6Ghz dual core processor.

so you where right to think about changing it.

 

[ronan]

Well all the high specs ie mem,HD but naff 2.6Ghz dual core processor.

so you where right to think about changing it.

Any suggestions as to what would be a good one to replace it with ? Also what sort of prices and somewhere to get one ? pc world have nothing listed.

 

[graffian]

I don't know what motherboards are what for pentium these days, but looking at the linked motherboard it gives a clue to whats compatible. You will usually find cpu's that fit the slot but are newer than the documents are also OK, so you might be ok with a Q9x.

Looking at the link you put I think the fastest cpu would be a Q8300, you won't get one from ebuyer or scan.
However there are some on ebay[search: Q8* core]; I did find some new ones but they were ~90 quid. If you going for new stuff a new board and cpu might be best.

You can get performance benchmarks from cpu benchmark
You can compare CPUs at cpu-world

I can animate a model of a velocette gearbox on a six year old dell laptop! I run XP[no idea about vista/seven] I shut all services that aren't required, it makes everything mucho better, pick the max performance options for graphics and shut all useless processes[as Pete suggested].

Make sure your hard disk isn't a lardy old thing, or buy a solid state disk for the operating system and program files. The cpu benchmark site have benchmarks on hdd.

My pc was upgraded 6 months ago, with stuff I bought for my milling machine 4 years ago. So it's probably slower than yours, I don't anticipate an upgrade for a few years.

I like the Quadro graphics cards, you can pick them up on ebay, I have several and paid about a quid for the one I am using at the mo, I have no idea what they are like for games[probably s***e] but they make a lot of differance to the graphics with cad.

Memory run the max you can use, I am limited to 3gb, I only have 1.5 and will wack some more in sometime[maybe].

And if that's a load of s***e, well what do I know.

 

[hareng]

The Q9550 will go in but personally think its money better spent on new mobo, CPU, psu and probably GPU.
Q9550 only available secondhand too unless super old stock.

Nothings generally worth upgrading over 2 years old catches me out every time. From a newer E6600 mid 2008 all i retained was 2 DVD, 3 old SATA HDD and GPU everything else obsolete 2 yrs ago.

 

[CRB]

all i can find out about the computer is here

http://g1w0134.austin.hp.com/bizsup...riesId=4079828&prodTypeId=12454&printver=true

Download CPU-Z, it gives you everything you need to know.

http://www.cpuid.com/softwares/cpu-z.html

HP and others tend to get custom boards and are not necessarily easy to upgrade.

 

[tigler]

I can animate a model of a velocette gearbox on a six year old dell laptop!

Could you send me that file by email please ?! Velocette Viper owner here with tongue hanging out !!

 

[pedrobedro]

It tells you in the specs what you can upgrade to, the best is at the top of the list, Core 2 Quad Q8xx0/Q9xx0 (Yorkfield core) (95W).

 

[mike os]

well your choice is fairly limited

Motherboard supports the following processor upgrades:
Core 2 Quad Q8xx0/Q9xx0 (Yorkfield core) (95W)
Core 2 Duo E8xx0 (Wolfdale core) (65W)
Core 2 Duo E7xx0 (Wolfdale core) (65W)
Pentium Dual Core E5xx0 (Wolfdale core) (65W)
Celeron Dual Core E1xx0 (Conroe core) (65W)
Celeron 4xx series (Conroe core) (35W)


in an LGA775 format

if you can find one of the above these days ....http://www.amazon.co.uk/Intel-Q8400-Core-Quad-Processor/dp/B00280YJIE... need to check on the foxcon website for compatibility first

Foxconn H-I41-uATX motherboard

check before you buy.. if it is incompatible you will kill one or both components

 

[CompoSimmonite]

The CPU on the desktop I bought from a store (PC World) was STUCK to the motherboard meaning impossible to change it without destroying the motherboard. So unless you built the PC yourself check that the same hasn't been done to your PC before buying a new CPU.

Paul H

 

[hareng]

It can be changed Paul, but as above why bother replacing with £130+ inferior components Q8400 onwards or even a Q9550 at around £300 when the I5-3570K is superior at less cost but needs new mobo.

Best bang for buck has to be AMD FX-4100 less than £80 plus mobo. Even better comes assembled and tested with new ram http://www.amazon.co.uk/ADMI-Bulldo...1_6?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1351451468&sr=1-6
Just nick your current HDD, Mouse, Gpu if same fitting, keyboard and DVD.
Far better propositions the I5 and AMD FX-4100 but may require a better psu. Easy to assemble nowadays, its just plug and play

 

[ronan]

It can be changed Paul, but as above why bother replacing with £130+ inferior components Q8400 onwards or even a Q9550 at around £300 when the I5-3570K is superior at less cost but needs new mobo.

Best bang for buck has to be AMD FX-4100 less than £80 plus mobo. Even better comes assembled and tested with new ram http://www.amazon.co.uk/ADMI-Bulldo...1_6?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1351451468&sr=1-6
Just nick your current HDD, Mouse, Gpu if same fitting, keyboard and DVD.
Far better propositions the I5 and AMD FX-4100 but may require a better psu. Easy to assemble nowadays, its just plug and play

It seems to make better sense to do as you say hareng, is easily do-able by a computer novice like me ? Eg. Swapping one part for another , clicking things into place ? And how do i save the programs , photos , files etc to put them back in after the work has been done ?