Computer upgrade options.....?

Question

I have an average desktop,so far my upgrades include adding 2GB of RAM,and a Nvidia 8500 graphics card.My processor is an Intel Pentium 4 HT 3.0 Ghz.(Hyper Thread)Can I upgrade this processor to dual core ?Do have to change the mother board?That will probably cost too much,so how would one of those flash drive work?My Vista index score is 4.2..(the processor is the lowest mark)what would be a good upgrade option?Thank you.....*

My graphics card supports SLI,meaning you can double up and put a identical one right next to it.

Answer 1

You can most likely upgrade your processor you just have to make sure you get the right "socket" (939 for example) and check to make sure you motherboard supports it which I'm guessing it probably does. It is possible that you would have to change the motherboard though so don't get your hopes up before some research.

Dual core processors are actually pretty reasonably priced at the moment.

Answer 2

If you're intrested in gaming I'd suggest a new vid card first, the GF8500 is pretty weak compared to the 8800 series cards and even compared to the DDR3- 8600GT/S cards. With that said you have a single core processor which is going to choke when it comes to multi-threaded apps/games. Hyper Threading is a poor substitute for a true dual core CPU. You have either a Prescot or Cedar Mill CPU. Which means your mobo is either a 775 socket, or 478 socket. If it's 775 then you alot more selection in what CPU you can put in the mobo. If you have the 478 socket, then your are pretty much stuck with single core, and if you want something better you'll have to get a new motherboard that supports newer CPU's.

Answer 3

Some boards that take a P4 will also take a dual core. Some will only take a Pentium D dual core while others will also take a Core 2 Duo. Go to your motherboards cpu support page and see what cpus you can run with your board. Also note what bios you need to run a dual and if you need a certain revision of the board. For example, The Asus P5LD2 revision 1 board won't run the Core 2 Duo but the P5LD2 revision 2 will.Can't give you much info without knowing what board you're running because that's what determines what cpus you can run. For all I know you could have a 478pin board.

Answer 4

A decent motherboard and CPU combo can be had these days for ~$200 if you poke around eBay and various internet retailers. I recently got an AMD X2 6000+ (one of AMD's top end chips) with an ECS mobo for about $200 shipped and it is more than plenty fast. The only thing you'd have to worry about is that the RAM you have now is DDR2 so you don't have to go and buy even more.

Answer 5

Get a life instead otherwise you'll always be chasing the latest graphics cards and processors. Your system is fine as it is! Save your money for more important things instead - you should trust me (but I know you wont).