CPU upgrade advise please

[simonmd]

After seeing many peoples system specs, the weak link in my system is obviously the CPU itself.

I believe there are different numbers of pins on the newer CPU's so could somone tell me what to look for?

Currently, I have an AMD Duron 1300 which is about two years old. Will just another Duron with a higher speed fit? I'd like to keep with AMD as they seem to have a better reputation for performance.

[ctjoyce]

Your gonna need a new processer and motherboard. AMD 939 is what you should look for.

Cheers
Cameron

[simonmd]

I'd rather not get a motherboard as well, are there any other options?

[candle_86]

What is your motherboard brand and model number. That is a socket 462 so depending on your board you may be able to run an XP or Sempron 462 in it

[ctjoyce]

Why? Can you please explain to me why you would not want to upgrade to the current tech? Yes you may be able to run an underpowered XP or a outdated Semperon, but why? A decent 939 Motherboard will run you about $90. Then you can get a x64 3200+ for about $180 or a 3600+ for $215. So all in all you can get a pretty good system for about $300.

Cheers
Cameron

[GeForce]

I agree with what cameron said. However, this page shows an
AMD Sempron 2500+ 1.75GHz (Socket A) CPU for just over

[simonmd]

Hmm, interesting. How do I find out what 'socket' I have? Also on that page is an Intel Celeron D 320 2.4GHz, Socket 478. Would that be better?

[ctjoyce]

http://www.cpuid.com/download/cpu-z-132.zip

Run that, and it'll tell you everything. But you cant put an intel processer into a AMD board.

Cheers
Cameron

[simonmd]

Nice one, very usefull, thanks!

[candle_86]

We just need to know your specs. If that is a 462 board with at least a 266mhz FSB try to find an XP-M cpu. Great chips and most major motherboard compaines relased bios to support them. The advantage is unlocked multipliers plus 266fsb barton cores.

[GeForce]

But you cant put an intel processer into a AMD board.

And just to make it clear, that works the other way around too. You cant put an AMD processor into an intel board.

Simon, if you have Socket A (Socket 462) motherboard then the Celeron (Socket 478) is not going to fit. Even if it did, I would say go for the Sempron.

Jon

Edit: Typo

[candle_86]

Only get the Sempron if you can't find an XP chip that you can afford. If you can run a 266fsb try to get an XP-M 2600 or if you can do 333fsb get a Barton 2600, they will both out preform a sempron.

[congo]

You can open the case and read the mainboard model number on the board itself if it's there.

If you are lucky enough to have a good socket A board, you might get a reasonable CPU for it, the max cpu's for certain socket A boards were an XP3200+ with a 400mhz FSB speed.

The best boards in socket A (462) used an nVidia nForce2 Ultra 400 chipset, so touch wood.

Don't get ANY Duron CPU for gaming, they, like Intel Celeron's, are meant to go into word processors, not gaming rigs.

[candle_86]

Well it would help us to know though if your running SD-Ram I can promise you there is not alot that can be done

[congo]

Considering that his PC is only 2 years old and is a socket A, it's unlikely to have sdram Candle.........

We actually only need a mainboard ID so a CPU support list can be found.