A new processor.

[sephen]

Hello,Andrew here with a question about computer motherboards / processors / chipsets, or what ever you prefer to call them.

I am currently running a 2005 sony Vaio tower. With a Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 3.00GHz processor with two gb of ram.

However, I game quite a bit; World of Warcraft, Star Trek Online -- And I want to get Battlefield 3, an extremely advanced game.

Does anyone recommend or know of a fairly cheap(Below $200, preferably) but fast and effective processor that could handle online and high-intensity graphics gaming?

Any and all support would be appreciated. Thanks a bunch.

 

[deadjon]

Need more information, you after JUST a processor that will fit into your existing tower? or you wanting to upgrade the entire system.

 

[sephen]

I would like to replace the processor in my computer. Everything else is alright. I even just recently updated he graphics card. I want to know a good processor to buy for intense gaming. While still being moderately cheap.

 

[deadjon]

If you can tell me the exact model of your tower I'll be able to throw some ideas out, some LGA775 motherboards arent compatible with newer bits and I wouldnt be sure what to recommend without some more info.

 

[sephen]

I am not 100% sure where I can find that info. I am running windows XP, where do you think I should look?

 

[deadjon]

Ive just had a look at all the towers using 3.0ghz P4s and it would seem you can only upgrade to a Pentium EE 3.46ghz.
Its not worth the upgrade and I would recommend an entirely new build

 

[sephen]

Ah, well. Thanks a bunch for the advnicem then.

 

[ulysses35]

Stephen,


have you tried using CPUz to identify the make & model number of the motherboard ? use google to find / donwload cpuz and this will tell you what manufacturer provided the motherboard in your PC.

Once you have this info you will be able to look into better detail on what you can upgrade.

 

[simon12]

I suggest a new motherboard and CPU on that budget try to get an i3 2100 if you can't quite afford it get a Pentium GXXX (make sure its one with 3 numbers in the model) or an Athlon x3.

 

[iam2thecrowe]

if you want to play something like battlefield 3 your going to need a decent quad core CPU, which means motherboard and CPU upgrade. for a little over $200 you could get a reasonable motherboard, phenom x4 955 and 4gb ddr3 ram.

 

[Tamz_msc]

If its a LGA 775 socket motherboard, it might be able to support Core2D Duos, otherwise, you have to get a new system if you really want to play Battlefield 3.

 

[$hawn]

remove out ur graphics card, and sell the rest....u can build yourself a much better system with the money....no point in upgrading that processor....LGA 775 is practically dead anyway...and the LGA775 core2quad chips cost a bomb!!!

 

[diellur]

Whether or not LGA775 is dead or not is beside the point, it still works. For a new system, you obviously wouldn't pick that socket but for a budget upgrade of an existing system, it's still perfectly viable.

Sephen, if you have no luck with CPU-Z, open up your PC (I'm assuming you're OK with this if you upgraded the graphics card) and see if you can see the make / model of your motherboard written anywhere on it. Also, put up your full specs...it helps us help you.

 

[sephen]

I downloaded and installed CPU-Z here is all the info it gathered on my CPU:

Processor-
Name: Intel Pentium 4 530
Codename: Prescott
Package: Socket 775 LGA
Technology: 90 nm
Core Voltage: 1.344V
Intel(R) Pentium (R) 4 CPU 3.00ghz

 

[djabhi003]

Cick the motherboard Tab in CPU-Z and see if u can find the model of the motherboard etc..

 

[sephen]

Motherboard:
Manufacturer: ASUSTeK Computer Inc.
Model: PTGD2-VX Rev 1.xx
Chipset: Intel i915P/i915G Rev. B1
Southbridge: INtel 82801FB (ICH6) Rev. 3
LPCIO: Winbond W83627THF

 

[djabhi003]

The 915 boards aren't compatible with any dual core processor. With the type of processor you have now, you aren't going to see much of a diff if at all between a higher clocked Pentuim 4.

 

[mavroxur]

Your upgrade path is dead. The 915 chipset supports single core processors with a maximum of an 800FSB. A 3.46 Extreme Edition P4 is the fastest it'd run.