new processor or not?

I've been trying to upgrade my computer without spending alot of money. I boosted my ram to 256 and now I was wondering if its worth upgrading my processor. I have a compaq with a celeron 567 mhz. I run windows 98 but i'm looking into gettin XP but I don't know which one. Is it possible to upgrade and how hard would it be to install? I'm a total rookie but i'm willing to learn. If I can put a new processor in, what would you recommend that isn't to costly? Or should I wait until next year and attempt to build my own computer?

 

IMO, any processor upgrade is not going to give you a big boost in performance. However if you give us the model of your motherboard, you might be able to get a Pentium 3 processor for cheap...

 

I don't know if this is right but here it goes compaq 0588h. Does that sound right?

 

instead of the motherboard, how about the model # of the compaq, like Presario xxxx or whatever. then we can tell you all you could want to know about it

 

I'm guessing you have a presarion 7596? If so It has a 370 pin socket, but theres little information as to its upgradability around. If the bios will support it celerons with that type socket were made up to 900mhz. However, for the cost of replacing it with that processor you could get much more buying newer equipment. I would save your money, upgrading to another outdated processor probably isn't worth it. (the 900mhz celeron can run upwards of $100 because its no longer produced.. compare that to newer processors and its a very bad price/performance ratio.)

Nj

 

Yea. Your close. Its a Presario 7594.Thanks for the info.

 

Yeah, I'd agree with Njal. Hold off on the upgrade and save up for a new computer. It might be possible to find a Socket 370 Pentium 3 on ebay for cheap which would be a decent upgrade for $20 or so. However, I don't know if your motherboard can support it, or if it can, what speed it can support. :/

 

I seen some on ebay that come with a motherboard but then I don't know if the motherboard would fit in my case. Any feedback?

 

Probably not. Its probably best to get a new case, motherboard CPU and start from scratch. New Ram (DDR preferabley) wouldnt go amiss either.

 

OK. I'm going to take your advice and have a little patience. This winter I'll start looking into building my own computer. Thanks for all the help.

 

sounds good. this winter will debut a lot of new changes in computers... so when the time comes, you know where to go for help finding the right parts for you

 

actually, i don't mean to nitpick or anything, but i have a socket 370 celeron that runs at 1.4ghz, i've heard rumors that a 1.5ghz was made but i can't give anything solid to back that claim up ... i think you might be referring to the P3 chips which the highest i've seen was 933mhz

as for upgrading your compaq ... i tried to move my CPU out of my old compaqs mobo and it just wouldn't budge ... now i may not have had the right tool as i was just using a screw driver from this cheap kit i got at compusa but i'm not so sure those store bought PCs are really designed to allow you to make such upgrades

 

Before you get anything make sure you don't have a lot of spyware on your computer. If you go on the internet at all its hard not to get any. But if all your looking to do is browse the internet, 500 mhz will do. But its not so great for photoshop or games.