Is a Pentium 4 3.2 ghz with HT good?

Question

Is this processor good enough to play games like Oblivion and F.E.A.R. with more than 30 FPS. I've been trying to look for a cpu i could upgrade to, and this is all i really found that i could afford. It's just short of 100 bucks, and it's a P4 with 3.2 ghz and HT. I think it's processor number 640. My RAM is at 533 mhz only though, and this cpu is at 800 mhz, should i still upgrade to it?

Answer 1

Although that processor will provide enough power to play the games you listed, you really are way better off with a Core 2 Duo. If you're willing to spend an extra $20-$30, then I would recommend at least an C2D e4300. The only issue that arrises is whether or not your motherboard is compatible with the new processors.
If it's not, or your budget is very strict, I would still advise you to skip out on the P4 and go with a Pentium D. Their prices are about the same, but the PD is a 'true' dual-core processor, and it is marginally better than the P4 with slightly lower power consumption.
Your memory will work, btw. The P4 or PD runs at an actual FSB of 800 MHz, which is quad-pumped (Intel's thing that they do to their processors). With this in mind, 800 MHz/4 = 200 MHz, so your FSB frequency is 200 MHz.
Your RAM is double-pumped (DDR), so 533 MHz/2 = 266 MHz.
If you leave everything as is, your RAM will work in a ratio of 2:3. The best ratio to have is 1:1, and the only way you'll achieve that is if you increase the FSB of your CPU to 266 MHz, which will result in 1066 MHz actual rate.

Just some info that might help you out.
Coming back to your question, should you upgrade? Well, what's your current CPU? That's what it all depends on.

Answer 2

If you need to upgrade and you dont have much of a budget, then do it. That will work, if your motherboard supports it. Basically, that chip can use hyperthreading to make it seem like it is dual core by using multiple threads per process but it isnt. Also, the P4's are very easy to overclock so you can safely get that to 3.6 ghz no problem I would assume. But yes, it will play your games if you video card can support that also.

Answer 3

Sounds like you would benefit from the upgrade but I really need to know more specs on what ram type and how much you have.

P4 @ 3.2 Ghz with HT
1 GIG ram
80+ GIG HDD @ 7200 RPM
And if you want to play those games...Get a fast video card like maybe a 6600gt Nvidia or above. That's most important.

Answer 4

It was not even good in its days. HT is nice but HOT. Many users just turned off HT to reduce heat generation. The new cool running Pentium E2160 would easily beat it and more so when overclocked. E2160 easily overclocks to 3.0Ghz at stock voltages and stock cooler.

Answer 5

Don't upgrade. Your performance will degrade noticeably with only 1 GB of RAM.

Answer 6

you should go with a core 2 duo if you can find one on sale, the pentium is old