Whats the highest processor you can put on an hp media center pc m7360n

[Chocolater2]

Hello,


my computer is four years old and i want to upgrade it to a fast gaming computer. so far on my checklist is

upgrade ram to 4.0 gigs
change processor
upgrade graphics card to 9800 nvidia
and just get a better fan

now i want to know, what kind of processor i need that is

the best
not super expensive
and if it is compatible with my motherboard


everything about my computer is here

http://reviews.cnet.com/desktops/hp-pavilion-media-center/1707-3118_7-31672655.html

 

[badge]

Post the HP system support link to your specific system, the m7360n. The link you posted doesn't give the system specs, CPU's supported or BIOS revisions available to support the CPU.

 

[Chocolater2]

how do i find that?

 

[aford10]

Here's the motherboard in your system.
http://www.intel.com/products/desktop/chipsets/945p/945p-overview.htm

It looks like the E7600 is the best CPU it will support.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115059
However, it's ~ $26 more than the E7500. So for the $$, the E7500 is probably the best price/performance CPU for your motherboard.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115056

You may need to update your BIOS to upgrade the CPU.

 

[Chocolater2]

Here's the motherboard in your system.
http://www.intel.com/products/desktop/chipsets/945p/945p-overview.htm

It looks like the E7600 is the best CPU it will support.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115059
However, it's ~ $26 more than the E7500. So for the $$, the E7500 is probably the best price/performance CPU for your motherboard.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115056

You may need to update your BIOS to upgrade the CPU.

hmmm..so thats like the best processer youve found for my kind of computer? will it support high graphic gaming [ex: call of duty] ?

and if not, what about upgrading motherboard?

 

[Chocolater2]

i just want to upgrade my computer to turn it into a great graphic/high gaming computer. whatever i need to upgrade i just need to know

 

[aford10]

Yes, it will play those games. Your graphics card will be more of a factor in how high you can set the settings though.

If you're thinking of upgrading the motherboard, as well as the CPU, you'll likely need to upgrade the RAM as well. It can quickly turn into a costly upgrade. At that point, it's probably best to sell your current setup, and start from scratch. You can buy prebuilt systems or build one yourself for about the same price as that kind of an upgrade.

 

[aford10]

If your simply looking for a gaming PC, the i5 750 is one of the top price/performance CPUs at the moment.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115215&cm_re=i5_750-_-19-115-215-_-Product

Combine that with a graphics card like the 5770 or 5850, and you've got the start to a good gaming machine.

 

[Chocolater2]

If your simply looking for a gaming PC, the i5 750 is one of the top price/performance CPUs at the moment.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115215&cm_re=i5_750-_-19-115-215-_-Product

Combine that with a graphics card like the 5770 or 5850, and you've got the start to a good gaming machine.

well ive heard rumors that the I5 has been having quite a few problems 🙁

 

[aford10]

I'm not aware of any real issues with the i5. If someone is having a problem, it's more likely with their motherboard chipset, or they completely misdiagnosed their problem.

 

[Chocolater2]

I'm not aware of any real issues with the i5. If someone is having a problem, it's more likely with their motherboard chipset, or they completely misdiagnosed their problem.

so everything will work properly with my computer?


I5 processor
9800 nvidia g- card
ram 4.0 gigs
and new fan with my current system?

 

[aford10]

The i5 won't work in your current PC. You'll need to get a compatible motherboard.

 

[Chocolater2]

The i5 won't work in your current PC. You'll need to get a compatible motherboard.

okay so which motherboard do you recommend?

and would i need to change anything else?

 

[Chocolater2]

oh and also what about the i7? whats the difference between that and 15?

 

[aford10]

If you haven't got the 9800 yet, here's a nice combo that has the i5, gts 250, and an Asus motherboard. It's got a rebate deal on it right now too.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.381099

The i7 is a more powerful and more expensive CPU. Some use the same socket as the i5 (1156), and some use a different socket (1366). The i5 lacks the hyperthreading support, but for gaming, you don't need it. The i7's have hyperthreading, which is one reason they are more expensive.

 

[aford10]

You would also need DDR3 RAM.

 

[Chocolater2]

You would also need DDR3 RAM.

so with all this stuff i need, do you think it would be worth it just buying a gaming computer? xD

 

[aford10]

For the $$, you'll get a better build by doing it yourself. But if you're not confident in your skills, and don't want to try building one, it's probably best to buy a prebuilt system.

The problem I have with those prebuilt systems, is they skimp where they think most people won't notice.

The main expense to a PC are the items in the combo listed above. If you are salvaging parts from your current PC, you could use the optical drives, hard drive, keyboard, mouse, monitor, maybe the tower, and possibly the PSU.

 

[Chocolater2]

For the $$, you'll get a better build by doing it yourself. But if you're not confident in your skills, and don't want to try building one, it's probably best to buy a prebuilt system.

The problem I have with those prebuilt systems, is they skimp where they think most people won't notice.

The main expense to a PC are the items in the combo listed above. If you are salvaging parts from your current PC, you could use the optical drives, hard drive, keyboard, mouse, monitor, maybe the tower, and possibly the PSU.

Oh yeah i know that. Everytime i look at specs on the computer its skimpy somewhere.

Could you explain DDR3 to me? im not really familiar with it. Oh and if i dont know/want to put in the stuff myself [ex: graphic card] then could i get someone else to do it? like best buy or staples?

 

[Chocolater2]

Sorry im asking so many questions, this is my dad's computer and i dont want to mess it up

 

[aford10]

The main benefits of DDR3 RAM is higher data rates and more bandwidth. It's required for most newer motherboards.

Here's a nice comparison of DDR2/DDR3.
http://www.anandtech.com/show/2232

I'm not sure if Staples offers those kinds of services, but Best Buy (Geek Squad) does. The process of assembling the hardware is relatively simple. If you have any questions, we can walk you through it. There are also guides available if you google it.

 

[Chocolater2]

The main benefits of DDR3 RAM is higher data rates and more bandwidth. It's required for most newer motherboards.

Here's a nice comparison of DDR2/DDR3.
http://www.anandtech.com/show/2232

I'm not sure if Staples offers those kinds of services, but Best Buy (Geek Squad) does. The process of assembling the hardware is relatively simple. If you have any questions, we can walk you through it. There are also guides available if you google it.

okay.

so i need to upgrade processor to i5
get a new motherboard
upgrade DDR3 RAM
upgrade ram to 4.0 gigs
get the 9800 nvidia graphic card
and a fan
right?
~~edit~~

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.381099&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-RSSDailyDeals-_-na-_-na&AID=10521304&PID=3463938&SID=

and whats the difference between that graphic card and the 9800?

 

[aford10]

Which 9800 are you planning on getting? Why are you so stuck on that? Here's the video card hierarchy chart. Depending on which version of the 9800 you're looking at, there is much better.
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/graphics-card-radeon-hd-5870-geforce-gtx-480,2621-6.html

You only need a fan if your temps are getting high. A program like realtemp can monitor your temps.
http://www.techpowerup.com/realtemp/

If you're just looking for a motherboard, this Gigabyte would probably be my choice.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128409

 

[Chocolater2]

Which 9800 are you planning on getting? Why are you so stuck on that? Here's the video card hierarchy chart. Depending on which version of the 9800 you're looking at, there is much better.
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/graphics-card-radeon-hd-5870-geforce-gtx-480,2621-6.html

You only need a fan if your temps are getting high. A program like realtemp can monitor your temps.
http://www.techpowerup.com/realtemp/

If you're just looking for a motherboard, this Gigabyte would probably be my choice.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128409

the 9800 is the only one I'm familiar with that's new!

okay so i dont need the fan...

uhhh i read the "pro's and con's" on the motherboard and i am kind of...erm...nervous D:


so which one do i get!? http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.381099&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-RSSDailyDeals-_-na-_-na&AID=10521304&PID=3463938&SID= or http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128409



~~edit~~
read the specs and the new one you gave me only supports i7 while the combo pack thing supports i3/i5/i7

 

[aford10]

I can see you like the 9800, but which 9800 are you talking about? There is a 9800 GTX, GT, GX2? Not all 9800's are the same.