Is it possible to upgrade the processor of a computer?

Question

I have a Compaq Presario S5000NX with a 2.5 Ghz celeron, with 768 MB of RAM. I use my computer for graphic intensive games.

Should I upgrade my processor (I was thinking pentium 4), or do I have enough and therefore wait until the next big thing comes out?

add on: I also have a 256 MB graphics card - nvidia brand

Answer 1

Yes, it's possible to upgrade the CPU. However, Compaq and major brand computers don't encourage this and in some cases make it almost impossible. You would have to determine the socket and supported cores your computer can handle, then you can buy a CPU and install it. Most boards today autodetect the CPU installed so there should be little you need to do other than remove the old chip and put the new one in.

If you are using Graphics intensive games, you are probably better off upgrading your video card. The CPU will probably help, but games can really be hampered by an underpowered video card, often referred to as a graphics card.

The CPU can be the most expensive part of the computer - but as time goes by, they come down in price. An upgrade to a 3.2GHz Pentium 4 with HyperThreading can cost as little as $122 plus shipping (maybe less if you hunt around).

Answer 2

Yes, You'll have to be comfortable with opening up your computer and getting to the motherboard. A computer with a Celeron processor is not really the best for high end graphic work or high end gaming. In this case you'll need to totally replace the motherboard with one that will support a pentium 4 or at least an AMD 64x processor. Its all about the motherboard. Get a good motherboard and it will open up your better processor options

Once you do that put money into a good graphics card. Make sure its an AGP or PCI-Express card and make sure you get a motherboard that take one of those formats.

Answer 3

Best way to find out is RESEARCH YOUR MOTHERBOARD! A program called Belarc Advisor will tell you what type of motherboard your computer is using. From there, research it, find everything you can from the web. Generally, the manufacture has complete support information about what specifications the motherboard can be upgraded to. Sometimes you have to go to other sources as well. A motherboard will either take an AMD or an Intel processor, they are not interchangeable. Most newer motherboards allow a range of processor speeds, allowing for processors with a speed of 2.0 to 3.2 GHZ. Belarc Advisor can be found at Downloads.com. It is a good diagnostic tool in learning about all that is within your system, including hardware and software.

Answer 4

Yes, it's possible to upgrade your CPU, but only within the optional limits of what the motherboard allows. However, if you're primarily chugging on games, perhaps the easier solution is to bump up the RAM to 2GB and install a good, fast video card. It is very possible those are the bottleneck, not the CPU.

RAM is cheap now, and you don't have to buy the most current video card to get excellent performance.

However, realize that Microsoft is planning to release Vista (the new version of Windows OS) next year, and doubtless this will precipitate a rash of computer sales from all the likely suspects (Dell, Gateway, HP, etc.) trying to cash in. You may be able to pick up a deal if you wait a bit.

Answer 5

Yes it possible. Compaq's used to be pretty proprietary though. I don't know if they changed. This means that Its hard to find parts made by another manufacture that is compatible with Compaq's. Replacing the Processor may cause you to have to get the motherboard replaced also. You may want to just upgrade to another computer.

Answer 6

It is possible to upgrade your PC, but the real question is what can you upgrade too. This question will be determined by what type of processors your motherboard will support and to a smaller extent your power source. You should check with your motherboard manufacturer for specs.

Answer 7

Yes you can. Make sure it is compatiable for your motherboard, though. Upgrading is VERY costly though. You'd probably want a 3.2GHz processor, but that can cost about $300. But in about a year it'll be $200, and a year after that it'll be like $150. I'd just wait.

Answer 8

The CPU is just a memory chip.I see that all CPU's have exactly the same file in them.This file could not be improved upon.You would end up trying to get an appropriate BIOS file and so on.I say that under the current circumstances it could not be done---it wouldn't work.Talk to your computer store.(note:the speed of the computer is set in the BIOS---the manufacturer's BIOS covers up the real BIOS where this is done)

Answer 9

I think what you need is a graphic card. If you have one, then consider an upgrade.

Answer 10

different proccer requieres different motherboard(most of the time) so if you want to upgrade you need to buy the whole motherboard(might as well by a new computer)