[SOLVED] best cpu for really old motherboards that you can come up with

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boju
Pentium D is the earlier dual core models. Same chipset yes but don't know why Gigabyte supports the newer core2duo when Intel doesn't list them.

Best cpu imo are the models listed on Gigabyte.
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Cool project man.

Go for the highest frequency (or close, depending whats available) quad for the Gigabyte and same highest Pentium D for the Intel as listed on each of their supported cpu list page in the provided links.
 
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boju said:
Cool project man.

Go for the highest frequency (or close, depending whats available) quad for the Gigabyte and same highest Pentium D for the Intel as listed on each of their supported cpu list page in the provided links.
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Thanks! THe only thing is on the gygabyte page it has little red X thing at all the quad processors, does it mean they can not be used, or is it okay?
 
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mm.farid said:
Hey guys, I have 2 old office PCs and the plan was to equip them with the best CPUs I can find.

Motherboards are Gigabyte GA-945GCM-S2C and Intel D945GTP

I know it's not much, but would like to do this as a hobby or smth. Would appreciate suggestions and ideas
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I much prefer going to the manufacturer's website for CPU guidance -- https://www.gigabyte.com/Motherboard/GA-945GCM-S2C-rev-10/support#support-cpu and https://www.intel.com/content/www/u...000005841/boards-and-kits/desktop-boards.html
The 945 motherboard can support core 2 quads. Now it just depends what you can find cheap.
 
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kanewolf said:
I much prefer going to the manufacturer's website for CPU guidance -- https://www.gigabyte.com/Motherboard/GA-945GCM-S2C-rev-10/support#support-cpu and https://www.intel.com/content/www/u...000005841/boards-and-kits/desktop-boards.html
The 945 motherboard can support core 2 quads. Now it just depends what you can find cheap.
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Thanks for taking an extra step! But from what I see it has "n/a" near every core 2 quad? Am i being stupid? On the other hand why would they include those
 
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It's just they're both "945" and I'm already confused, Pentium D is the same as core 2 duo? From what I understand 4 cores is not an option, so what would be best 2 core cpu here?
 
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First, of all, use the motherboard cpu support list to find your list of potential candidates.
There may be a bios update needed, so hopefully, you have two running systems to start with.
As to relative capabilities, use passmark benchmarks to get an idea.
A Pentium D960 may be as good as you can do.
https://www.cpubenchmark.net/cpu.php?cpu=Intel+Pentium+D+960+@+3.60GHz&id=1131

Then, go to ebay and find the processor in used condition. filter on completed auctions and you will see what the cpu actually sold for.
A D960 , for example is in the $40 price range.

If only dual core processors are supported as in your second pc, start with the highest clock and latest gen processor.
Later gen processors are more likely to perform better at the same clock rate.

I used the same process to upgrade a dual core to a dual with hyperthreading(=4 threads) with a nice performance boost.

And...
Your best performance upgrade will be to change out a HDD to a ssd.
 
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geofelt said:
First, of all, use the motherboard cpu support list to find your list of potential candidates.
There may be a bios update needed, so hopefully, you have two running systems to start with.
As to relative capabilities, use passmark benchmarks to get an idea.
For example, a Q9650 might be one candidate and here is the passmark link:
https://www.cpubenchmark.net/cpu.php?cpu=Intel+Core2+Quad+Q9650+@+3.00GHz&id=1050
If supported, a quad will always be better.
Then, go to ebay and find the processor in used condition. filter on completed auctions and you will see what the cpu actually sold for.
A Q9650, for example is in the $50 price range.

If only dual core processors are supported as in your second pc, start whith the highest clock and latest gen processor.
A Pentium D960 may be as good as you can do.
https://www.cpubenchmark.net/cpu.php?cpu=Intel+Pentium+D+960+@+3.60GHz&id=1131

I used the same process to upgrade a dual core to a dual with hyperthreading(=4 threads) with a nice performance boost.

And...
Your best performance upgrade will be to change out a HDD to a ssd.
Click to expand...

Thanks! Doesn't Gygabyte mb also only support 2 cores? And hypothetically, just 2 cores with higher clock speed is worse than 2 cores 4 threads with slightly lower speed?
 
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mm.farid said:
Thanks! Doesn't Gygabyte mb also only support 2 cores? And hypothetically, just 2 cores with higher clock speed is worse than 2 cores 4 threads with slightly lower speed?
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OOPS!!
On the support list, the quads are listed as NA which means not supported.
I was looking for a note in red.
I will amend my post.
The best you can do is a duo.
As to two vs 4 threads, it depends on what you are doing.
If you have a single threaded app, then a higher single thread speed is most important.
The passmark single thread number gives you some indication of that.
In actual use, a single app may have a hundred associated threads, not all of which are doing much.
Still, there is value in not having your single thread app being interuppted,
 
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