question about upgrading mobo

[JCROCCO]

Can an existing computer and HD be used and just upgrade the mobo?

I know I have to pick a mobo that has all the same features basically, like for HD connections and type of memory, graphics card, etc.

I guess my real question is how do you install it with the existing HD and would the HD and/or the OS need to be reinstalled?

I have a P4 1.8 533MHz system with ATA133 HD, max 2 gig DDR 333MHz ram, 4x AGP and only 1.1 USB.

I would like to find a faster P4 with faster memory, an 8x agp, and 2.0 usb and just replace my exisitng mobo.

Is this possible, and keep my hd and installation without the need to reinstall?

I also have the option of just changing out my CPU to a 2.4gig Socket 478 processor. Would that alone be a large enough system boost?

Any productive comments would be helpful.

 

[VirtualLarry]

Don't bother with a sidegrade. Save your $$$ and upgrade to something recent, like a C2D mobo, with PCI-E and onboard video. Most mobos have one IDE port, which is good for two devices. They also have plenty of USB 2.0 ports. You would have to buy new memory, but with 2GB (2x1GB kit) of DDR2-800 for only $8 after rebate, it's not going to break the bank.

I recommend a Gigabyte G31 mobo, with an E5200 CPU. You can overclock those to 3.6Ghz or slightly more. You will then have a powerhouse of a system, and you can drop in a PCI-E graphics card later if you want to game.

Conversely, I have a nice P4 2.4Ghz 800FSB rig with 2GB of PC3200, and an FX5900XT AGP 8x card available. If you are in MA, PM me if you're interested.

 

[JCROCCO]

I was able to find a 2.8GHz CPU for $22. My current CPU is 1.8 at 400mHz, this would be a 2.8 at 533MHz. Would there be ANY noticeable speed increase?

 

[Billb2]

Can your present motherboard support a 533 buss?
And no, not much difference. Only with stuff that is arithmetic intensive like photo editing.
Internet, word processing, etc. basically no difference.

You could set up Windows Performance Monitor to track % CPU usage. Watch the graph as you perform various operations. The times when CPU usage hits 100% is pretty much where you will notice improvement.

 

[JCROCCO]

Yes, it can do 533. Would it improve watching videos via the internet, or listening to internet music or how about autocad?

I tried the monitor and it seems to goto 100% alot, even opening webpages and the internet, or opening programs. I even had it where a webpage wasnt loading and it was at 100% for that whole time, like 10 seconds.

How do I know if a cpu will work on my board? Is it only the bus speed and type? If my type is a socket 478 and I know the bus speed can be 533, then will any CPU regardless of clock speed run onit it they are 533 and socket 478?

For some reason, I remember that my board could go up to a 2.4GHz, it is a 1.8. I cannot find any documentaion saying the max clock speed, and I do find other socket 478 at 533 that are 2.6, 2.8 and higher. Can a mobo limit the clock speed?

Also, in my bios I have to set the multiplier to 18 for a 1.8. I saw somewhere that a 2.4 at 533 speed would also be an 18 multiplier. If this is true, what would a 2.8GHz be?

Also, the CPU I am looking at has a core of PRESCOTT, Does that affect the possible ability to work on y Mobo, mine says Northbridge and Southbridge.

 

[rhyx]

Without knowing the type of motherboard you have there is no way to give a recommendation.

P4 Socket 478 processors had 400 FSB and 533 FSB. A board may support one or both. The core name can also determine whether it will work with your motherboard or not.

 

[rhyx]

Without knowing the type of motherboard you have there is no way to give a recommendation.

P4 Socket 478 processors had 400 FSB and 533 FSB. A board may support one or both. The core name can also determine whether it will work with your motherboard or not.

In any case, upgrading is not worth the money. It will still be an extremely slow computer. Going from a 1.8 P4 to a 2.8 P4 isn't going to make much of a difference.