Which processor to upgrade to?

I have recently purchased a PC that wsa set up for gaming moree then anything else. However, I find that it still struggles with certain games. Assassins creed, Kane and Lynch for example. The games are playable but I have to set the graphics to bare minimum and still they are slow.
The specs for my PC are:
Windows XP with sp2
Nvidia 9600GT 512mb video card
2.00ghz dual core processor
400gb hard drive
4gb RAM

So my question is should I upgrade to a faster processor and if so which one?
Any help will be really useful.

 

2 gig dual core sounds like a core 2 duo .We would need to know the motherboard info to recommend a supported chip for your pc. Also make sure your power supply has enough juice to support the video card and last but not least make sure drivers are up to date.

 

How do I know if the power supply is enough for the graphics card? I have already been online with Nvidia and updated the drivers. Everest reports:
Motherboard ID 12/17/2007-MCP73V-P5N-MX-00
Bus Type Intel GTL+
Bus Width 64-bit
Real Clock 250 MHz
Effective Clock 250 MHz
Bandwidth 2000 MB/s

 

Use this app to attain your exact CPU, Motherboard and other important info:

EVEREST Free Edition 2.20

Please post back with your Motherboard and CPU details.

 

Field Value
CPU Properties
CPU Type Unknown, 2000 MHz (8 x 250)
Instruction Set x86, x86-64, MMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3
Original Clock 2000 MHz
L1 Code Cache 32 KB
L1 Data Cache 32 KB
L2 Cache 1 MB (On-Die, ATC, Full-Speed)

Multi CPU
Motherboard ID OEM00000 PROD00000000
CPU #0 Intel(R) Pentium(R) Dual CPU E2180 @ 2.00GHz, 2000 MHz
CPU #1 Intel(R) Pentium(R) Dual CPU E2180 @ 2.00GHz, 2000 MHz

CPU Utilization
CPU #1 / Core #1 / HTT Unit #1 0 %
CPU #1 / Core #1 / HTT Unit #2 3 %

Field Value
Motherboard Properties
Motherboard ID 12/17/2007-MCP73V-P5N-MX-00
Motherboard Name Unknown

Front Side Bus Properties
Bus Type Intel GTL+
Bus Width 64-bit
Real Clock 250 MHz
Effective Clock 250 MHz
Bandwidth 2000 MB/s

 

What is the exact brand...make and model of the PC. You might have to look for a sticker on the side or back to get the PRECISE model #

 

The PC was custom made. The case says Elite or lite CoolerMaster.

 

Is there any chance you are comfortable with opening the case and looking and seeing what the name of the motherboard is.

It appears as whoever built this machine, must have used an OEM board, which means the name of the board is typically gobeldy gook.

Roger

 

seems to me you shouldn't have any problems running those games on this setup...however, i would not recommend having an oem mobo, but something with a name on it...

 

Ok the side is off and the only writing I can see says PSN MX ASUS. Any help?

 

Most likely the "S" is a "5" so that would make it a P5N MX board made by Asus.

Does it look like this?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v611/rogval/P5NMXAsus.jpg

That being the board would mean you could go up to an Intel Core 2 Quad, but I hear (I'm not a gamer) that games aren't really utilizing the quad core yet, so that would be overkill.

As far as a dual core that is above what you have now...you can go to the Core 2 Duo up to and including an 1333Mhz FSB, but you have to stick with the 45nm architecture.

Again...I'm not a gamer, but if you were to max out the abilities of the board...you do have advancement from what you currently have. The Core 2 Duo is considered the next generation of the dual core.

For example...here is a 3Ghz Core2Duo, 45nm, w/1333 fsb at Tiger Direct.

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3574211&CatId=1969

Let us know if you need more help understanding all that.

 

BTW...you need to make sure your power supply is up to this upgrade too.

Are you into overclocking...upon investigating your current specs, apparently the processor you have now is supposed to be easily overclocked. Keep in mind though...overclocking can easily wreak havoc if you aren't fully knowledgeable of what you're doing and don't take it in baby steps!! Not only that...if you fry it via overclocking, then the warranty is no good!!

 

My mobo looks similar but it is not exactly thye same. As for the rest, you're speaking a different language to me. Are you saying that the 3Ghz Core2Duo, 45nm, w/1333 fsb at Tiger Direct you quoted me will be compatable with my current set up?

 

How can I tell if my power is up to the job too? Is there a step by step guide as to how to overclock it.

 

Your board is not going to look exactly like that because it is an OEM board.

And yes...according to the specs, that processor is compatible with your board. Being that you are in the UK, I don't know if you can buy from Tiger Direct or not, but at least that gives you a guideline to shop by.

As far as overclocking...if you're not already familiar with it already, then I don't want to encourage it by my doings. I've done it to my own machines, but I am no expert by any means, and like I said...it can be quite risky. Maybe somebody else is willing to indulge with you.

In the meantime...here is a good article on overclocking from the Maximum PC Magazine...if you want to get an idea of what it's all about and if you're comfortable toying with that idea.

http://www.maximumpc.com/article/overclock_your_pc

If the side of your case is still off...what is the brand and specs of the power supply?

 

The label says Cooler Master 460. Product number RS-460-PCAP-A3.
Then thers a box underneath which reads:

AC input 230V~ 6A 50Hz
DC output +3.3v +5v +12v1 +12v2 -12v +5vsb
22A 25A 18A 18A 0.5A 2.5A
Max power 165W 312W 6W 12.5W

Hope you can make head or tail of that coz I sure can't!

 

you should be ok with that power supply.

 

If a purchased the processor you mentioned earlier, how easy would it be to install? Do you need to be a whizz kid or are they pretty straight forward?

 

Here is an article on how to install a CPU.

Obviously, you can skip to the part of the CPU. Take a read and see if it scares you. Worse case scenario, there's surely some kind of shop in your neighborhood isn't there?

http://www.pcstats.com/articleview.cfm?articleid=2231&page=6

Roger

 

Thats a good article Roger, but it doesn't show TIM application.

I would recommend you have a look at this as well because you need to apply a Thermal Interface Material (TIM) to the top of the CPU:

http://www.arcticsilver.com/ins_route_step2intelas5.html

It is very easy to install a CPU but make sure you do not do it on carpet (you must avoid static electricity), take your time and have fun.

 

You're right Eagle...I was in a crunch for time on my googling...thanks for the follow-up.