I think I need to replace some parts...

[Btg312]

So, I have this refurbished HP desktop that I got for around $150. A lot of the hardware is good, but a lot isn't. I'd like some help deciding which parts I should replace to make it faster. Here's the hardware (according to Speccy):

CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 @ 3.00 Ghz. (With Wolfdale 45nm Technology?)
RAM: 8.00 GB Dual-Channel DDR3 @ 531 MHz (7-7-7-20)
Motherboard: Hewlett-Packard 3646h (XU1 PROCESSOR)
Graphics:

1. HP P19A (1280x1024@60Hz)
2. Intel Q45/Q43 Express Chipset (HP)
3. Intel Q45/Q43 Express Chipset (HP)

Storage: 931 GB Hitachi HUA722010CLA330 44X2459 42C0424IBM (SATA )
Optical Drives: hp DVD-RAM SW810 (I don't really care about the DVD drive)
Audio: Realtek High Definition Audio
There is no built-in WiFi chip, I use a USB WiFi adapter that usually works fine.

 

[rgd1101]

replace part for?

 

[Btg312]

replace part for?

You see, my desktop runs quite slow, and I want to find out which parts I can replace to make it faster

 

[USAFRet]

You see, my desktop runs quite slow, and I want to find out which parts I can replace to make it faster

What is your budget?
What do you plan to use it for?

"Core 2 Duo E8400 " is....slow.
Replacing that will lead to new motherboard/RAM. ADd a GPU, and then you'd almost certainly need a new power supply.
If you're doing all that, you might as well put it in a new case.

Hey...you built a whole new PC!

 

[geofelt]

Two suggestions:

1. Upgrade to a ssd. It makes everything quicker.
How much of your 1tb HDD is actually in use?
If it is less than 90% buy 1tb samsung 860 QVO. About $110.
Use their migration app to move all to the new ssd. relegate the HDD as external backup.

2. Here is a list of supported processors for your motherboard:

hewlett packard 3646h CPU Support

www.findlaptopdriver.com

The strongest is the quad core Q9650 which sells for $50 on ebay.

 

[Btg312]

What is your budget?
What do you plan to use it for?

"Core 2 Duo E8400 " is....slow.
Replacing that will lead to new motherboard/RAM. ADd a GPU, and then you'd almost certainly need a new power supply.
If you're doing all that, you might as well put it in a new case.

Hey...you built a whole new PC!

I plan on using it mostly for programming and school.
I have like 4 other junk PCs I MAY be able to take some parts from
It appears I am using VERY little of my hard drive (855 GB free of 930 GB)
For a case, one of the previously mentioned PCs should do just fine (one of them looks really slick)
Is my motherboard okay?

 

[USAFRet]

I plan on using it mostly for programming and school.
I have like 4 other junk PCs I MAY be able to take some parts from
It appears I am using VERY little of my hard drive (855 GB free of 930 GB)
For a case, one of the previously mentioned PCs should do just fine (one of them looks really slick)
Is my motherboard okay?

As above, the only real thing you can change to increase 'performance' might be a solid state drive.
Maybe a slightly better CPU, but that won't be magical.

 

[Btg312]

As above, the only real thing you can change to increase 'performance' might be a solid state drive.
Maybe a slightly better CPU, but that won't be magical.

Okie dokie. Thank you to USAFRet and geofelt for your help!
I'm looking at a new CPU and an SSD, and maybe a new graphics card since apparently the one I have sucks (Google said so).

 

[geofelt]

Since your storage needs are modest, I suggest a 250gb samsung 860 evo which will be $52
https://www.newegg.com/samsung-860-evo-series-250gb/p/N82E16820147676?&quicklink=true

If on a budget, you do what you can.
I guarantee you will notice the difference in performance with a ssd.

On the processor, I think an update to a quad is relatively cheap.
I made a similar update to one of our little used old pc's and it made a difference.
At the very least, shop ebay for a Q6600 which sells for $10.
But, try to find that Q9650 which is some 30% faster.

Here is a tip for shopping on ebay:
Find what you want and put it on your watch list.
Perhaps several candidates.
Then wait.
Often you will get an offer from the seller for a reduced price.

On graphics, I would not bother with a graphics card unless you wanted to do some fast action gaming.
Integrated graphics is usually sufficient to display HD movies and such.

 

[william p]

As above the SSD will make a big difference.
E8600 CPU and Q9650 are kind of expensive.
The $5 E7500 with a piece of tape will get you 3.67GHz. You may need to find the correct heatsink for the 95W 4 cores to fit that computer.
https://forums.tomshardware.com/threads/tape-mod-bsel-mod-intel-q6600.1798850/
You may already have one in your junk pile.

 

[Btg312]

Two suggestions:

1. Upgrade to a ssd. It makes everything quicker.
How much of your 1tb HDD is actually in use?
If it is less than 90% buy 1tb samsung 860 QVO. About $110.
Use their migration app to move all to the new ssd. relegate the HDD as external backup.

2. Here is a list of supported processors for your motherboard:

hewlett packard 3646h CPU Support

www.findlaptopdriver.com

The strongest is the quad core Q9650 which sells for $50 on ebay.

Wait a minute...
I found another CPU compatability list that says the Intel Core i7 will work

 

[USAFRet]

Wait a minute...
I found another CPU compatability list that says the Intel Core i7 will work

Link to this list?
Because thats not correct.

"E8400 " = LGA775 socket.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LGA_775

 

[william p]

Most Dell and HP won't go over 95W CPU, which keeps the Core 2 Extremes out. So most likely not "all" LGA775 will run either.