Help me know if I Can upgrade my CPU

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LoLCashCow

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May 8, 2013
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A friend gave me a desktop that has an Intel Pentium Dual-Core E5200 2.5 GHz processor.

http://www.geeks.com/details.asp?invtid=DX4710-09-R

I was looking at the manufacturer's page and saw that it has other processors listed for it.

http://support.gateway.com/s/PC/DX/DX4710/DX4710sp2.shtml

Intel® Core™2 Quad processor
Intel Core2 Duo processor
Intel Pentium® Dual Core processor
Intel G33 Express chipset

I don't know if that is the total list of all the possible processors for the MB

I was wondering if it was possible for me to upgrade the available processor to something better? Without buying a new MB. I plan to use it to run a few virtual machines inside, and hook up the system to another monitor and run a movie in that monitor while doing other things in the original monitor.

I hope that makes sense. It would be awesome to play a game in one screen and try to watch a movie in the other; or have someone else see it while I play.... and also have a virtual machine in the background. Also, I would run a music program in the background.

Thank you all very much!


 
Solution
thismafiaguy
With that graphics card, you'll need every bit of the 350W. It should work, but it would be better to have some headroom. CrossFireX means pairing up multiple graphics cards, or GPUs, in one system. In order to run CrossFireX, you'll need a motherboard with at least 2 PCI-Express x16 expansion slots and a bigger power supply.
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Hi,

In another thread people suggested I pick a desktop that had an intel chip over the amd because it has more upgrade options. I ended up taking the amd instead but then a friend of mine gave me this system which is intel I believe. So now I am settling on taking this one instead of the amd :). This intel one can take 8gb so I thought it would be better to stay with this one. I think the Vid card is also better. The amd has a stronger PSU so... do you think it would be compatible with this intel mobo? Well its not an intel mobo I think this one is foxcon, but it supports the intel CPU right?

This is the thread

http://www.tomshardware.com/answers/id-1672193/pick-desktop-good-cpu-gaming.html

Mainly I think it was this reply I got

"It's not that the AMD is "slower", it's a lot more complicated than that. It's that the C2D has a MUCH better upgrade base. It will stay relevant longer and be more upgradeable. LGA 775 is a great socket that still has a good following of support, even today. Get option 2, get an upgraded C2D or C2Q. Depending on price, a better choice than the Q6600 might be the E8600 or E7600, as LoL only really utilizes two cores. "

Do you think the RAM is compatible with my system? I am afraid to try switching the sticks again. I really don't want to damage it.
 
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So can you tell me why the AMD system failed your purpose?
 
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Hi

I guess it was just the video card but I could swap it and it would be well. When I saw that this system had more ram and was intel I thought it would be best for me to stick with this one. my friend just gave me the foxcon/intel desktop and I thought it was just better than the AMD. I'm not good with computers but when I saw it could take more ram had a bigger HD and the vid card was better I just thought... I'll just stay with this one. I also had the impression from my previous thread and so... here I am :). The amd just had a little more skip and lag than this desktop that my friend gave me. I think it is just the video card. I could swap it... but I keep going back to that old thread and think... I think I should stick with an intel like they said. I got lucky that my friend gave me this desktop and it had an intel chip. So I mean the AMD system didn't fail because it was still doing the things I mentioned just the video card was not as good and when I would load a lot of graphic stuff like a movie/game there was more skipness than with the intel desk top :).

Sorry I just keep seeing that this system can take more RAM has the intel people spoke about before and a bigger HD. Its like 600GB compared to the 30GB on the other. I could swap them and put them in the AMD system... but I would really like it more if I could keep the intel :)

-Edit-

I tried reinstalling the ram and it worked this time. I checked the system in windows and it says 8GB ram. I must have done something wrong the previous time... Ah, does anyone know how to replace the little arm that snaps the ram sticks tight into the slot? I kind of snapped the top section of one.... Any guides to replace it online?
 
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Can you take a picture of the place where the little arm snapped off? It wouldn't really be that big of a deal as long as the RAM sticks are seated properly. On a totally crazy route, I think you should sell both computers, and use that money along with your initial upgrade budget to build a new system with an AMD APU. Those things are basically CPU+GPU, so you don't need to add a graphics card. And I think it will be faster than the 5670 you've got. Look into some benchmarks if you're interested. Either the AMD 5800K or 6800K.
 
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Wow, so now the CPUS have built in GPU? Wow. They are not like the integrated graphics in motherboards are they? Do you think and AMD CPU/GPU will be able to handle playing two games like LoL and WoW while playing a movie on a separate screen? I like to dual box so I end up running more than one instance of the game sometimes. So I run an extra instance and I run a virtual machine also.

whs2.jpg


Here it is. I basically snapped the head portion of it 🙁 It is more of a clip than anything. I can't pull the arm back now. So it is always clicked in. I have to remove the ram by tilting it at an angle then sliding it in the opposite direction of the arm. The ram still fits in and snaps back in. I wish that had no happened but damn. I ... am happy to have the extra ram on board though :)

the amd cpu.gpu sounds interesting. I have been wanting to eventually build my own computer case. A really small one to just fit in the micro mobo the PSU and the HD + Vid Card. Then get a really thin/compact LCD and take the whole thing with me when I go out. Mainly I was thinking on using it at the library and eat the electric juice there. I guess I would also have to add a wireless C.


yhmo.jpg


-edit-

I looked at some benchmarks and that amd chip looks to be really powerful. It is 2013 technology from what I read I think. I don't know much about computers. The idea does sound temping because it will make the computer light and that is what I want if I ever do what I mentioned I wanted to do.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819113331

150 which well I don't think is that expensive for some reason. Though even if I were to sell both computers and take the budget cash I have a feeling I would not be able to get all the rest of the pieces together. I don't think I can even get 100$ per used desk top lol. At least pooling it all together I will probably get a total of 250. So that would leave 100$ for buying everything else. The mobo, ram, PSU, and HD. Unless I keep some of the components from these PCs, but then I would have to sell them for less lol. It is a tempting idea and I'd really want to do it, but I have a feeling that the Mobo and ram will be costly. I'd guess the 600 watt PSU from the AMD desktop could be used and the HD from the intel computer could be used. If that were so then I'd just need the MOBO and RAM since I don't think the ram in the desktops would work for the new mobo?


-edit-


Tried installing the 600 watt PSU and when I turned on the system it only ran for 1 second then it shut off. I guess the PSU is not compatible? Tried a few more times and it only ran for one second. No beeps or anything.
 
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It's usually better to have a newer platform than more raw power, because newer chips are better optimized for newer applications, so in the real world, a weaker chip on a newer platform could actually perform better than a stronger chip on an older platform. If you decide to go with the AMD APU, you can keep your Antec power supply and hard drive, but you will need the compatible motherboard and RAM. I found a few motherboard + APU combos on Newegg, check them out:

http://promotions.newegg.com/amd/13-2713/index.html

I recommend the $159 combo. The 5800K isn't far at all behind the 6800K, but with the combo it'll be much cheaper than the 6800K. Then you'll just need RAM, which shouldn't be more than $50 for 8GB if you can find a good deal. See if your case is compatible with Micro-ATX motherboards, if not, you can pick up an NZXT Source 210 for under $40. And here's a video of the 5800K vs 6800K:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-L2w3kC6Pw


As for the broken plastic arm on your RAM slot, I don't think it will cause any problems except for when you're installing or removing the RAM. And which 600W PSU is it? From the AMD system? What brand is it and how old?
 
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Hi Mr. Mafia,

The promotion sounds great. It comes out to 174$ with the tax in there. The ram would be about $50? If I'm going to sell both systems I would have to add the case in there wouldn't I? A new case would be around $40-50? So I guess it would be a little over $250.

The PSU from the AMD system is this one

http://www.coolermaster.com/product/Detail/powersupply/extreme/extreme-power-plus-600w.html

I tried to put it into my gateway system which has the intel chip, but it would only boot for one second then shut down. I placed the 600 watt back into the AMD system and it worked fine. Maybe it is just not compatible?

Oh and wow it was twice as heavy at the 300 watt PSU currently in there. Well it is twice as powerful so I guess it would be twice as heavy.

The AMD suggestion sounds great. The only thing is the price being a little over what I thought would be the most I could get for both systems plus the back up money. I could stay with the HD I am using right now. Use the new 350 Watt PSU that is coming... buy the amd bundle and get the ram. Probably make a raw case for the system. Since it doesn't need a vid card it will give me extra room for the case.

No CD drive but I never use mine anyway.

Ah but wait a minute... where is the heat sink and fan for the bundle??? Does it come with a heatsink and fan or is it not needed for this CPU?

Also... will the 350 watt power supply that is incoming be enough for the AMD bundle?
 
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The 5800K will come with a heatsink, and it should be fine as long as you don't overclock. 350W is enough for the system without a graphics card, and you'll just need RAM and a case. Maybe there's a combo for that on Newegg as well. What operating system are you going to use? If you sell both systems, you may need to get a new operating system.
 
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Hi There :)

I won't over clock it but I will run multiple applications at one time. Basically it will probably be 2 to 3 instances of the same game through 1 or 2 virtual machines. Then at times I will be watching a movie on the additional computer screen I have. Will probably play some music in the background too and my browser will be running in the background. That pretty much sums what I will be using the system for. I'm not sure by how much that kind of demand will heat the CPU up. At least the only games I will be running is LoL and WoW.

If possible I want to keep my current HD from the Gateway desktop. It has windows XP which is what I like to use. I did hear micro$oft is going to stop updating xp next year I think. So if I keep the HD I am hoping to use the current OS? Though I don't know how that'll work. if I have to reinstall XP in there that is ok with me. If all goes well I'll use my USB stick since I'll have no CD drive. You are a huge help Mr. Mafia thanks a lot :)
 
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The stock cooler will be fine under all load circumstances, so you don't need to worry much. The cooler should have pre-applied thermal paste, which is the gray layer on the bottom of the cooler that contacts the surface of the APU. Since it's pre-applied, you just need to mount the cooler and plug in the fan. The instructions in the box should describe everything.

For what you want to do, you'll need a bit of extra RAM. If you can't find any good deals, try this:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/AMD-AE34G1609U2-Entertainment-Edition-Memory-Module-4GB-PC3-12800-DDR3-1600MHz-/221250119126?pt=US_Memory_RAM_&hash=item338388e5d6
I can vouch for this RAM from personal experience. You can add another one later down the road if you need it.

But here's an issue, I'm almost certain you'll run into a problem if you try to install your hard drive straight into a new system. The hardware drivers on the hard drive will all be suited to the original system, and they will not be compatible with your new system. What you need is a fresh install of your operating system. But that usually requires a new product key and such, so I wouldn't bother with it if I were you, and besides, Windows XP is 10 years old now, you're not going to see the full potential of your new system with XP. If anything, save up whatever you can and pick up a copy of Windows 7 64bit, or Windows 8 64bit if you like new things(they're the same price on Newegg). I recently got a copy of Windows 8 64bit for $79, so just be patient and wait for the next sale.

Aaand, there is one last thing you should know. Hard drives have now become a bit antiquated in the PC world because the rest of the PC components have evolved into another dimension while hard drives just got bigger. Many systems now use what are called Solid State Drives, they are basically hard drives with no moving parts so they are much less likely to fail, and they are also much, much faster. If you want to know more, go to Google or YouTube and dig around for some comparisons. However, Solid State Drives(SSD) are more expensive than hard drives. My solution is to get a 128GB SSD for my operating system files, while my games, music, and other non-critical files are on my old hard drive, which is used as a storage drive. SSDs aren't completely necessary, but they are a very good investment, so that might be something you should save up for in the future.

If you see something you like on Newegg or wherever, but want to get the best price, try this:
pcpartpicker.com
Just search the name of the component you want, and it'll show you the prices from several major vendors for comparison. It can even send you price alerts if you register an account and set the price alert trigger.
 
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Guys I just saw this deal today in NewEgg

Save $100 on select motherboard and 16 GB ram combos at Newegg

http://promotions.newegg.com/combo/13-2908/index.html?SID=VyhnEOnREeKk7G7jEQkWzwEzz8_av9d3_0_0_0&AID=10440897&PID=1225267&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-cables-_-na-_-na&cm_sp=Homepage_MidRight-_-combo%2f13-2908-_-http://promotions.newegg.com/combo/13-2908/300_250.jpg

I'm not knowledgeable with computers so I thought I'd drop the deal here in case anyone was interested.

I remember hearing about the SSD many years ago. It is nice to see that now they have grown in size and dropped in price. I always wanted to get an SSD years back probably around 10 years ago. Crazy how fast time flys and tech grows.

I really like windows XP but I could give win 7 another try. It was just such a hassle to use last time I did. It was like trying to use linux/ubuntu 🙁. Would the new CPU/Motherboard really drop in performance if I were to still use XP? Would the new combination be faster than my current set up? Because if it were faster then I think it would still apply to what I need it.

By the way do SSD drives consume less wattage than regular hard drives? All of this sounds great I just wonder about how much I would spend on an SSD drive. I was looking in new egg about the lower end 90 gb drives and they seem to cost about $80. I might just have to stick with my regular HD until I can save up for the SSD.
 
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The combo deal on Newegg applies only to Z87 motherboards, which are Intel's latest generation of processors. I'm looking to get a Z87 combo, but none of these are what I'm looking for. If you run your new system with Windows XP, you'll be restricted to DirectX 9, which basically means you can only play games that run on older graphics. All the next-gen titles are going to be using DirectX 11, which is only available on Windows 7 and 8 right now. So again this is why it's better to be on a newer platform. Windows 7 is your best bet, Windows 8 is way too different from any other Windows OS, and Windows Vista is pointless. Just wait until Windows 7 is on sale somewhere, and go for the Home Premium 64bit.
 
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