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Worthwhile CPU Upgrade ???

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3 replies

by rwbyshe9

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I have been asked to upgrade a PC that is running Windows XP Pro.

It currently has a 2.1GHz core2duo CPU, and 3G RAM. The PC is just under 2 years old and the MoBo has a FSB rated at 1.066 MHz.

According to the MoBo manufacturer it can handle up to a 3.6GHz CPU.

I don't feel that it's reasonable to upgrade this PC with anything less than a 3.0GHz CPU and a 3.6 would be the better functional choice.

The issue is this:

This PC's MoBo FSB is rated at 1.066 MHz and
on the 3.0GHz and faster core2duo and quad core CPU's the FSB is rated at 1.333MHz

I'm assuming that the MoBo FSB will regulate the actual max. speed that can be realized because it is the slower of the two.

My questions:

Is this a functionally reasonable and equitable upgrade to this PC?

With the MoBo FSB being somewhat slower than the CPU's FSB will a substantial performance improvement be realized with this upgrade?

Note: I'm trying to look at this in the pure functional and economical sense only and not on the PC's end use.

3 replies

by oh smeg

The CPU is unlikely to actually work and the system is unlikely to actually start to the POST Stage.

You may just require a BIOS update to use the fastest generation of CPU but it may be that the current generation of CPU's will not work on this M'Board. You have to look at the CPU Type that the M'Board actually supports. I have a Socket 775 ABit AW8 Max Board here that is running with a 3 GIG Dual Core that will not accept any newer CPU type with the latest BIOS that is available. It's not so much the age of the computer/M'Board but when that design was made it could be considerably older than 2 years which limits the ability to use current generation CPU's.

Col

by Member 30115716

Now this may come as a shock, but other than the fact that the CPU may not actually work on the existing board, there are more important factors that should be addressed.

What exactly is the system being used for?

If the unit's only being used for regular office tasks (word processing, spreadsheets, e-mail, etc.), doing the upgrade might be a bit of an overkill and the benefits of having a faster CPU will not be obvious.

If the unit is a gaming system, then, it may be money well invested.

Though I suggest, checking with the manufacturer of the board to see if a BIOS upgrade will do the trick in terms of increasing the FSB rate and CPU support.

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