I need a cheap CPU, any suggestions

I want a cheap CPU that is actually better than the P4 1.5 socket 423 that I want to pull from a computer.

I know Duron, Sempron and Celeron are all cheap cpu's. Any thoughts on the best bang for the buck?


* Also, I had a MOBO that wouldnt work at all. I unplugged everything and no fans came on at all etc.. My PoWER Supply works just fine. The fans should automatically come on right when you plug the PSU into the Mobo OR do you still have to push the power button on the Case itself? I think the MOBO is dead but who knows.

Thanks Guys.

 

Well what do you do with your computer and then we can go from there.

 

Best Bang for Buck, I'd have to say an AMD Mobile Athlon XP-M 2600 or 2400/2500:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819103436
I'm running one, see My Sig.


One problem, It wont work on your socket 423 MOBO, It's a socket A/462 so you would need a new mobo, another thing It's also a Mobile CPU which may not work on all socket A motherboards, Infact no MOBO manufacture will officially support one on a desktop MOBO, some MOBO's just need Bios Update.
These Mobiles are great for OCing, multipliers are unlocked.

 

no, the fans wont come on unless you push the power button. if you think about it, are fans running after your computer shuts down? only thing i know that stays on is anything that powers off usb ports. I have led's plugged into usb and they stay on when the computer is shut down. and also, what do you define as cheap? any mobo/cpu combo may require new ram also.

 

check http://www.pricegrabber.com for some prices. just be aware of the sellers. I usually stick with the ones that are 4 - 4.5 - 5 stars

 

AMD is almost always the price/performance leader. The Duron 1800 would beat the P4 you had in most benchmarks. I'm running a Duron 1600 (not OC'd) and it's fast enough for me. Sempron 2400+ is very nice too and not much more expensive. If you're hot to OC, then the Athlon Mobile CPUs are the place to look. It really just depends on what you want to do with it.

.bh.

 

Well, basically This computer is only for the internet and downlaoding music. Nothing fancy at all. Semrpon sounds pretty good actually.

The MOBO I was referring to was a shuttle. It was brand new out of the box but nothing worked. NHo lights, sound etc... Then again, I am not sure how I am hooked up with my case to the MOBO.

There is all these tiny little wires that plug in to the bottom of the board. Reset Pwer led, SW power, etc... Maybe this is my problem?

I think I have plugged them in wrong but I tried various combinations and no lights come on in the front of the case. I have read the manual but I am having a hard time understanding alot of it.LOL

Maybe the MOBO actually does work? I just thought plugging it in atleast a fan would work or something. Basically my Case wires arent plugged in right.

Thanks for the help guys.

 

If all you do is surf the internet, a CPU upgrade will not yeild much of a performance increase. (Assuming your P4 is not a Celeron, in which case a full P4 would probably be your best bet) Otherwise, I'm not sure that it would be noticeable at all.