CPU Upgrade HP Pavilion 500-214

[cjbarendt]

Hi! I'd like to upgrade the CPU on my HP Pavilion 500-214. I've migrated to an SSD for the OS (using the original HD for storage, files, pictures) and increased memory to 16GB, running Win10 (free upgrade). I don't want to swap out power supply if I can avoid it. General use PC, email, web, open office. currently have AMD A8-6500 APU with Radeon(tm) HD Graphics. What would be recommended for an upgrade to the CPU? Thanks in advance for the time and thoughts!

 

[Beddah]

I will recommend you to move to SKYLAKE.

• 
  ■Intel Core i5-6500 3.2GHz Quad Core Processor
  ■Gigabyte GA-H110M-A Micro ATX LGA1151 Motherboard
  ■Team Dark 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-2400 Memory

Total: $314.75

 

[The Paladin]

Hello cjbarendt

What Beddad is trying to tell you is that the Dell Pavilion Motherboard (*MS-7778*) is an Fm2 CPU Die format
and this is extremely limiting your choices, to a AMD A10 6700 (Richland) Quad Core at best
The thing is, is either of these "a BIG improvement over the A8-6500.. " relatively is it worth the COST of upgrading to that CPU... and that is what Deddah is leading to....

The cost isn't really worth is for the technology your trying to upgrade to A10 is according to Newegg ( LINK HERE ) will cost 145$, which when you look at the propose upgrade to an I5 is almost half the value of the serious upgrade to the Intel chipset

 

[Samaratin]

The A10 is the only upgrade you can go to next. the 7870k or 7890k. One comes with the quiet cooler and one comes with the wrath cooler.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819113403
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819113402

While these 2 represent the best A10s, still have to research if your motherboard (FM2) ever had a BIOS update to accept FM2+ processors

 

[Samaratin]

The problem with Beddah's suggestion is that, the poster is using an HP OEM system, not a custom built gaming setup. It is a "General Use PC, email, web, and office" This is the exact scenario in which the A-series APU's thrive and are perfectly fine at. Additionally, switching out CPU and Motherboard will mean he will have to go and purchase a new copy of windows for $100 to go along with it.. OEM systems are locked to motherboard they came with.
This link is to your motherboard specs. It tells various upgrade information available to you.
http://support.hp.com/us-en/document/c03757575

 

[cjbarendt]

Thanks for the information and suggestions. It shows my system board as 2AE0 1.0 with Bios of 80.46. Will that work with the recommended CPU's that you listed?

The A10 is the only upgrade you can go to next. the 7870k or 7890k. One comes with the quiet cooler and one comes with the wrath cooler.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819113403
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819113402

While these 2 represent the best A10s, still have to research if your motherboard (FM2) ever had a BIOS update to accept FM2+ processors

 

[Samaratin]

Ok, as for the actual upgrading. You would have to research if any BIOS updates from HP enabled later processor support. It could very well likely be the case that they did simply because it would have allowed them to keep using the same motherboard over multiple years, while keeping the latest generation of products inside to keep them looking "NEW" to consumers. You would additionally want to research forums where other people have upgraded your specific model... try googling "cpu upgrade for hp pavillion model # etc" (insert your model)

What some of the others have stated is, while you probably can do an upgrade to your computer, it's not exactly the wisest or most worthwhile choice to make... yes... you will be able to get "some" improvement, but if you look at performance vs cost, then thats where it doesnt make much sense, and hence.. switching to a different platform/processor is the only true way to get a significant improvement.. the issue that creates is, it is considerably more expensive to go that route over a simple processor upgrade.

What types of things do you currently use the computer for? Have you always been unhappy with how it performed, or did it really slow down over time? What kinds of things do you plan to do if/when you upgrade?

 

[cjbarendt]

Since I upgraded the memory and swapped to an SSD and i have been using this as my main computer, I've noticed that web pages load slowly. In watching performance monitor, memory, disk and network are not showing any unusual activity spikes but the CPU is showing high spikes especially when I have several browser tabs open. I'm not sure if it is just the CPU or if it is the embedded graphics. Is there an easy well to tell CPU vs Graphics?
can I add an improved Graphics card without swapping motherboard or power?
I did research the BIOS and the A10-7xxx series is not supported. I'll check out the supported CPU list and see if I can find one online.
I am using this PC mainly for basic home applications (Thunderbird email, firefox and chrome web browsers) and open office.
Thanks!

Ok, as for the actual upgrading. You would have to research if any BIOS updates from HP enabled later processor support. It could very well likely be the case that they did simply because it would have allowed them to keep using the same motherboard over multiple years, while keeping the latest generation of products inside to keep them looking "NEW" to consumers. You would additionally want to research forums where other people have upgraded your specific model... try googling "cpu upgrade for hp pavillion model # etc" (insert your model)

What some of the others have stated is, while you probably can do an upgrade to your computer, it's not exactly the wisest or most worthwhile choice to make... yes... you will be able to get "some" improvement, but if you look at performance vs cost, then thats where it doesnt make much sense, and hence.. switching to a different platform/processor is the only true way to get a significant improvement.. the issue that creates is, it is considerably more expensive to go that route over a simple processor upgrade.

What types of things do you currently use the computer for? Have you always been unhappy with how it performed, or did it really slow down over time? What kinds of things do you plan to do if/when you upgrade?

 

[Samaratin]

One of the main things about the AMD APU's is that they do really well when you throw a lot of highspeed RAM at them, more so when using it's integrated GPU. There are instances in which one will throttle the other, depending on what you're doing. Adding a standalone graphics card will take some load off the processor, and its a relatively easy thing to install.