Help: Upgrading Processor

Hi all

I have a desktop Sony VAIO PCV RX501 w/ P4 2.4GHZ, I know its old and not the best
but I have successfully upgraded Ram (1.5GB @PC2700) and Graphics card (Point of View 6800XT @512Mb agp) the rest is factory standard

now would like to upgrade processor from a P4 2.4GHZ to a P4 3.2Ghz. I think my motherboard P4S533VL (specific ASUS for SONY) limits to socket 478 so i was hopping to put in a P4 Presott 3.2 Ghz 800fsb 478 socket.

Will this work? ie
- fsb compatible: current 533mhz up to 800mhz,
- size similarity since I have a medium sized case,
- power requirements, not sure of current power supply but I "believe" it delivers around 270w
- temperature, is there an overheating risk? ...

Appreciate your expert advice

Cheers

 

You should find out the fastest cpu speed your motherboard will support before upgrading it.

 

your motherboard chipset is the SiS651, which unfortunately has a maximum bus speed of 533mhz. That certainly limits you even further, and in my opinion, makes upgrading the CPU not worth the cost.

There are many places you can go from where you are, but each of them has a nice little price tag attatched

 

If your running windows xp your should get all of the updates for it, I did and it seems to have made my gateway computer a little faster.

 

thx for your help.

I will build my own computer. Going with AMD , sorry Intel

Cheers

 

WOOOOOT!! another one to the AMD clan

 

CONROE is coming and the tide may just shift,lol. I don't care which drives my baby just as long as I get the best "BANG FOR BUCK".

 

ah u never know, CONROE must just not cut it. who knows wat AMD have up their sleeves to counter-attack CONROE...

 

You could always try to Overclock ur proccessor to something around 2.8-3ghz. Just make sure you got some cooling on the lil baby =p

 

Very true possibility but lets hope it pushes AMD and INTEL into an expotential technoloigcal LEAP and pushes prices down. Initial reports I have read imply Conroe will be ~$500 compared to the top end AMD ~$1000 and they are stating all Intel current stock will signifcantly lower prices, AMD will surely have to follow suit to maintain market share and thus WIN WIN for you and me, yipppee.

 

I'm guessing that puts me in the same situation then...? I have an Intel Celeron 2.8Ghz that I've upgraded in a similar fashion (Ram up to 1.5GB and Graphics card up to Gainward Bliss 6800GS 512Mb AGP). I have the SiS651 listed in my progs. But I was told that as long as I had anything other than a 478 processor port then I could improve things significantly.

I was going to find out how to check which ports I have as I'm told that a 775 or anything DualCore would do. I'm a tech-illiterate and have heard of over-clocking but don't like the idea of wading through tons of tech stuff in order to understand it.

If upgrading the proc is impossible then would I be able to build it up using my parts from a new motherboard? If so, how much are we talking about, do you think?

Any help gratefully appreciated.

 

The only thing you could upgrade for a noticeable performance gain is your Processor, but you're limited to a socket 478 Pentium 4. Unless you can find a CPU very cheap, its time for an upgrade.

Unfortunately, that means a full upgrade, aside from your peripherals (CD/DVD drive, hard drive, etc)

The new standards are DDR2 RAM (as opposed to your DDR RAM) and DDR3 is here, but not popular yet. For graphics, all new boards are PCI-Express, and your AGP card will no longer work.

On the bright side, you can get new components for relatively cheap. I dont have time to link you to specifics right now, but here's an approximate rundown, assuming you go Intel:

Motherboard: $70-130
Processor: $120
Video Card: $80-$150
RAM: $80 for 4gb or $50 for 2GB
Power Supply: $50

If you have a case, hard drive, and optical (CD/DCD drive) thats all you would need to get started.

 

Thanks for your useful reply. I'm hoping to take my current machine as far as it will go. I'm not really in the market for a full upgrade just yet. However, you mention that it is indeed possible to get a noticeable performance gain out of upgrading my processor.

So I can only upgrade to something with a 478 socket then? Do you think it's worth it to get something like that which, I'm guessing, takes me up to something like 3.2Ghz? I know that a Celeron ain't great but apparently a P4 should be a distinct improvement...? Any idea how much?

 

unfortunately, your SiS651 chipset only supports 533/400 mhz Front Side Bus (FSB) Processors. Your celeron is 400mhz FSB, and the nice P4's are 800mhz FSB.

You'll be limited to a 533mhz FSB chip, which will give you some performance gain, but not nearly as noticeable as the nicer 800mhz P4's.

If I were you, I would save my money and plan a full upgrade in the near future, as prices are very low right now (relatively) for a great machine. You used to have to spend near $1000 for a nice mid level machine, now you can build one for $600-700, and thats if your picky about brands, like me.

Just start a new thread here when you have a budget set, and we'll help you spec out a nice machine.

 

Thanks for that, buddy!

I won't be needing to upgrade for a while yet but I will always be returning here and will certainly bear that in mind. This place has been the most consistently friendly, helpful and supportive site I've ever visited for tech advice for quite some time. It deserves some kind of internet award or something.