Processor/motherboard replacement

[jyoung]

Instead of getting a new video card, I'm thinking maybe it might be more beneficial for me to get a new processor since a good dual-core CPU would cost about as much as the video cards I'm looking at and I'm still using a single core P4 clocked at 3.0 ghz.

My question is, if I go that route, what kind of things would I need to take into account as far as compatibility with the rest of my system is concerned?

Also, how hard is it to switch these things out on one's own? Soldering is definitely out of the question for me, in case that's going to be an issue, but if it's as easy as installing RAM, which I've done before, I'd probably be up for doing the job myself.

[ElCapichan]

Instead of getting a new video card, I'm thinking maybe it might be more beneficial for me to get a new processor since a good dual-core CPU would cost about as much as the video cards I'm looking at and I'm still using a single core P4 clocked at 3.0 ghz.

My question is, if I go that route, what kind of things would I need to take into account as far as compatibility with the rest of my system is concerned?

Also, how hard is it to switch these things out on one's own? Soldering is definitely out of the question for me, in case that's going to be an issue, but if it's as easy as installing RAM, which I've done before, I'd probably be up for doing the job myself.

It shouldn't be that difficult and difinately no soldering. What CPU are you thinking about getting, and how much are you looking to spend for the whole thing? Are you going to get more RAM as well?

As far as Intel Dual Core's go, I'd look at these two. Both are going to be pretty good CPU's and it is just up to you to decide how much you are willing to spend.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115028

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115029

Motherboards are a bit more difficult to decide what is right. There are different brands, chipsets, SLI, etc. ASUS, MSI, DFI, and GIGABYTE are al good choices. I have an ASUS mobo and it has worked great for me.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131142

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813130081

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813128044

[George]

I'm using an MSI mobo, and while heat is not a problem, which is good since it's a 680i chipset, it doesn't seem to overclock all that well. Has onboard X-fi sound too.

As far as a processor, you should be able to get a Q6600 Quad Core for 250 nowadays, or for the same price one of the new dual cores. The choice is up to you, dual cores are slightly better for gaming but quads are the future.

The motherboard/cpu installation is the trickiest part of building the computer, but thankfully it's among the first steps. Make sure you handle the CPU with care and never force it into the mobo if it doesn't seem to wanna take.

[ElCapichan]

The scariest part is putting the CPU in place, but it is actually so easy. It really couldn't be any easier. If you do decide to go quad, this is what you would want for your price range.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115017

Like TrialSword said, Quad may not be the way to go now for games, but it will be very soon. I believe Crysis makes use of quad core tech.

[[+Duracell-]]

I'd go with the Core 2 Quad for now. Fast enough for any game you throw at it, and future games will support multi-threading, so more cores = better performance. And if you do any kind of video editing, encoding, or 3D rendering, quad cores will shred through them.

As for a motherboard, find something with the P35 chipset like this one:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813128050

Geenrally, motherboards from either Asus, Abit, MSI, Gigabyte, and DFI are good buys. The main difference between each is usually features (number of x16 PCI-E slots, SATA ports, etc). Just find something you feel will satisfy you.

If you're using a P4, you'll probably need to buy a new video card anyway. More than likely, it's an AGP card. You'll need a PCI Express card unless you can find a motherboard that'll support both a Core 2 Quad and an AGP card.

[ElCapichan]

In all honesty, you are going to need a new mobo, cpu, and gpu to get the performance you want that will last you at least 2 years... or so you hope.

If it were me, and knowing you don't like to get the best or most expensive out there, I'd go with the following.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115017
Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz 2 x 4MB L2 Cache LGA 775 Processor - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131180
ASUS P5K LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130038
EVGA 320-P2-N815-AR GeForce 8800GTS 320MB 320-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail

This should last you at least 2 years. Although with the way technology is evolving, it could be less. I though my system was going to last me 3, but now I am looking into the Intel 45nm chips when they come out, DDR3, and the nVidia 9 series, and it has only been 1.5 years since I built my "top of the line" system.

[jyoung]

My current system is already running a PCI-Express card, so there's no problem there aside from the quality of the card itself (nVidia 6800).

The nVidia 8800 is likely to be the card that I'll get eventually, but I'll probably pick it up a little later down the line since it looks like a simple processor/motherboard upgrade will get me through the games that I actually care about at the moment (Quake Wars, Team Fortress, and maybe Unreal Tournament if it's any good), and I'm not going to get Vista any time soon, so that makes DX10 stuff pretty worthless for the time being.

RAM isn't an issue either now that I have 3 GB of DDR2.

[raystorm]

Don't forget about a good quality power supply. I thought about upgrading my pc here and there and while I think my 430W Seasonic PSU should be enough if I ever upgrade anything its something to keep in mind.

That Quad Core cpu is quite tempting as is those mobo's shown above but I'll probably just OC my stuff in the meantime unless all the new games coming out runs like shit.

[Opaque]

Soldering is definitely out of the question.

Wow.

You thought processors got soldered in?

[Frogacuda]

Installing a CPU is easy, but somewhat delicate. As long as you don't bend or break anything, and you mount the fan correctly, there's really no where to mess up anymore. No soldering, and even the days of jumper settings are long gone.