Upade my CPU suggestions

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Z

Zerkei

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Dec 21, 2009
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Hi there.
I currently have a computer i bought in 2008, it's pretty old.
It's a Dell Optiplex GX 280 tower. I use it for bussiness, but I would like to upgrade the CPU to an intel i7 quad core.
Though the max my motherboard can support is a Intel Pentium 4 single core 2.8GHZ (which is what i have, 1 physical core with hyper threading enabled = 2 logical cores, quite nice).

I'm not a gamer.. at all. But it would be nice from time to time to watch some HD movies and presentations, though my 32MB integrated video memory makes it lag a lot.

So should I buy a barebone kit that support all of my current stuff:
500GB Sata Hard drive, CD - DRIVE, 1 GB x 4 DDR2 Ram, (also bought a ATI Readon X 1550 3D 64 bit card, which doesn't work on my computer.. cause it's 32bit).

Or should I just leave it as is, or maybe buy a new computer overall?

What do you suggest?
 
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Z

Zerkei

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Dec 21, 2009
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Thanks for your speedy reply, but all of the current parts I have will go to waste.
I've got a 500 GB sata hard drive,4GB DDR2 RAM which I would like to keep.
 
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gkay09

gkay09

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Jul 28, 2008
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^ Yes you can reuse the HDD and RAM...
But if you want an i7, then you [strike]can[/strike] cant use DDR2 RAM with it...i7s support DDR3...
And for your usage, I really dont see the need for an i7 CPU...
You can take look at the AMD CPUs, that come with very powerful onboard video cards, that can playback 1080p with ease...So you would be saving money there too by not buying a separate graphics card...
 
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idoop

idoop

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the only way to keep your ram is to not go with the i7/i5 versions.
if you are and your not a gamer here is a pretty good i7-9** mobo(not to pricey):
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128375

and this is a good one for the i7-8** and the i5 series:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131405

and if you really wanna keep your ram you could always go for the intel core 2 quad series/duo series.
good mobo:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128358


and yes u can use your hdd again.


 
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H

hardwaretechy

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Look at some of the AMD options, they have excellent integrated graphics on their mobos and as obsidian said, some support both DDR3 and DDR2, so you could reuse both your RAM and HDD in the same box.

None of the reasons you stated require the power of the i7 --- Not that AMD is shabby, it'll be a huge leap for you from Pentium 4. AMD has a $99 quad-core, so you can accomplish everything for probably under $300. Not a bad upgrade.
 
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Z

Zerkei

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I'll probably end up buying an AMD motherboard, but I'm not so good with what I need exactly.

I've got a fully working computer and I just want to buy a new motherboard that supports everything I currently use including a 64bit PCIe x 16 low-profile ATI readon graphics card as well as a quad core 3.0GHZ cpu.

thanks, im not that great with computers :/
 
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obsidian86

obsidian86

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Aug 5, 2009
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do you want to splurge on ddr3?

get this

ASUS M4A785TD-V EVO AM3 AMD 785G HDMI ATX AMD Motherboard

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131398

AMD Athlon II X4 620 Propus 2.6GHz 4 x 512KB L2 Cache Socket AM3 95W Quad-Core Processor

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103706

OCZ Gold 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227483

CORSAIR CMPSU-400CX 400W ATX12V V2.2 80 PLUS Certified Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139008

you gonna need a new case with that

Antec Three Hundred Illusion Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129066

or just switch to this board and use the ddr2 you got

ASUS M4A785-M AM3/AM2+/AM2 AMD 785G HDMI Micro ATX AMD Motherboard

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131595
 
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Z

Zerkei

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Dec 21, 2009
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18,510

Thanks, i looked at the last link.
I've got a ATI Readon X 1550 3D PCIe x 16 card, it won't fit with that motherboard since it only supports 2.0 x16.
What do you recommend i do? Also which CPU should i get
 
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Z

Zerkei

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Dec 21, 2009
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18,510

Around 370 USD.
Though i wouldn't like to spend that much on an upgrade.
 
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Z

Zerkei

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Dec 21, 2009
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18,510

what do you mean 2.0?
The graphcis card i bought is for PCIe x 16.
 
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