Need some help getting a better processor (If it can be replaced)

[ExplosiveCheese]

I think I have the world's worse dual core processor. Its an Intel Pentium D915 Dual core processor.
I thought to myself, " Time to replace this piece of shit".
One problem though, I don't know jack shit about hardware. So can anyone recommend me a much better processor than the one I have if it can be replaced?

Computer: HP Pavilion a1560n (nothing except a nvidea 9500 graphics card added since purchase)

Specs

[url]http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?lc=en&cc=us&docname=c00686092&dlc=en#N1202[/url]

[Taipan]

CPU's and GPU's on laptops are never worth it to upgrade. It is almost impossible to find a new part for it and to install it.
[QUOTE=ExplosiveCheese;32097116]This is not a laptop Im talking about[/QUOTE]
Hmm kinda assumed that from the model number.

Motherboard manufacturer's name: ASUS P5LP-LE
    Socket: 775
    Supports the following processors:(From the HP site)
        Pentium D 800 series
        Smithfield Core - up to 3.2 GHz
        Pentium 4 600 series - up to 670 Prescott core
        Pentium 4 500 series - up to 580 Prescott core
One PCI Express x16 graphics
2xDDR2 max 4GB

It also supports Core 2 duo's and Core 2 quads but you will probably need a bios update for that, which might not be available.

I would not invest to much in this so something like a E8400 or Q6600 will be max, if you can update the bios.
For GPU a 5770
And 2GB more RAM.

This will net you an okay gaming PC.

[ExplosiveCheese]

[QUOTE=taipan;32097082]CPU's and GPU's on laptops are never worth it to upgrade. It is almost impossible to find a new part for it and to install it.[/QUOTE]

This is not a laptop Im talking about

[Taipan]

[QUOTE=ExplosiveCheese;32097116]This is not a laptop Im talking about[/QUOTE]
Fixed

[ExplosiveCheese]

[QUOTE=taipan;32097082]CPU's and GPU's on laptops are never worth it to upgrade. It is almost impossible to find a new part for it and to install it.

Hmm kinda assumed that from the model number.

Motherboard manufacturer's name: ASUS P5LP-LE
    Socket: 775
    Supports the following processors:(From the HP site)
        Pentium D 800 series
        Smithfield Core - up to 3.2 GHz
        Pentium 4 600 series - up to 670 Prescott core
        Pentium 4 500 series - up to 580 Prescott core
One PCI Express x16 graphics
2xDDR2 max 4GB

It also supports Core 2 duo's and Core 2 quads but you will probably need a bios update for that, which might not be available.

I would not invest to much in this so something like a E8400 or Q6600 will be max, if you can update the bios.
For GPU a 5770
And 2GB more RAM.

This will net you an okay gaming PC.[/QUOTE]

Thanks, and yeah, I was also planning to get extra ram

[Taipan]

You will need to find out a few things:

1:Can you update the bios to suport newer socket 775 CPU's
(Find it somewhere on the ASUS site or mail HP/asus)
2:Is your PSU powerfull enough to support a heavy GPU and CPU.
(Check this by looking at the sticker on the PSU and writing down the wattage)

[ExplosiveCheese]

[QUOTE=taipan;32097360]You will need to find out a few things:

1:Can you update the bios to suport newer socket 775 CPU's
(Find it somewhere on the ASUS site or mail HP/asus)
2:Is your PSU powerfull enough to support a heavy GPU and CPU.
(Check this by looking at the sticker on the PSU and writing down the wattage)[/QUOTE]

I have a 750 watt power supply, Can this handle it?

[Taipan]

[QUOTE=ExplosiveCheese;32097401]I have a 750 watt power supply, Can this handle it?[/QUOTE]

Thats not standard in that thing, is it?
Yes thats plenty.

Whats your budget?

[PepperMD]

Likely, any decent processor you could find to upgrade to would be extremely outclassed by a slightly more expensive motherboard + CPU upgrade. It really isn't worth it to upgrade a 775 socket at this point.

[Taipan]

[QUOTE=PepperMD;32097633]Likely, any decent processor you could find to upgrade to would be extremely outclassed by a slightly more expensive motherboard + CPU upgrade. It really isn't worth it to upgrade a 775 socket at this point.[/QUOTE]

True,

The I5-2500k is only 30$ more expensive then the E8400 but way better.
A mobo that fits an i5 would be around 100-200$ extra.
Good investment if you have the budget.

[Speedfalcon]

I'd say just get a new motherboard if what you currently have follows ATX/mATX stand-off guidelines.. It will just be better value for money in the long run - and you'll be able to fit better components in. I'd go for an ASRock/Asus AM3 motherboard so you can fit an AMD Dual/Quad athlon in there + 5770 as above user suggested. Won't really cost you that much either ;)

[bohb]

[QUOTE=taipan;32097082]

Motherboard manufacturer's name: ASUS P5LP-LE
    Socket: 775
    Supports the following processors:(From the HP site)
        Pentium D 800 series
        Smithfield Core - up to 3.2 GHz
        Pentium 4 600 series - up to 670 Prescott core
        Pentium 4 500 series - up to 580 Prescott core
One PCI Express x16 graphics
2xDDR2 max 4GB

It also supports Core 2 duo's and Core 2 quads but you will probably need a bios update for that, which might not be available.

I would not invest to much in this so something like a E8400 or Q6600 will be max, if you can update the bios.
For GPU a 5770
And 2GB more RAM.

This will net you an okay gaming PC.[/QUOTE]

Wrong.

The 945G chipset only supports Core 2 Duos with a maximum FSB of 1066 MHz. The absolute fastest CPU you can use is an E6700 (not an E6750 as it uses a 1333 MHz FSB.) Any E8000 series Core 2 Duo will NOT work due to having a 1333 MHz FSB and being based on the Wolfdale micro architecture.

The 945G also does not support quad cores of any sort.

You also need to be wary if you're looking for an E6000 series processor, because when Intel released the Wolfdale, they also released a new batch of E6000 branded processors with the new monkier "Pentium Dual Core". You can tell the new Wolfdale parts apart from the older Conroe parts by the amount of cache they have. All of the Wolfdale E6000 CPUs have 2M of cache, while most of the newer Conroe parts have 4M of cache.

Using these new Wolfdale E6000 based CPUs in a motherboard with a 945 or 965 chipset will result in either the board not booting, or certain features of the CPU will fail (speedstep is almost always broken, making the CPU run at full throttle all the time and consume the maximum amount of power.)

But just because the 945 supports Core 2s, doesn't mean the board will. Many 945 boards don't support Core 2 Duos, even with a BIOS update, your mileage will vary.

[ExplosiveCheese]

[QUOTE=bohb;32106272]Wrong.

The 945G chipset only supports Core 2 Duos with a maximum FSB of 1066 MHz. The absolute fastest CPU you can use is an E6700 (not an E6750 as it uses a 1333 MHz FSB.) Any E8000 series Core 2 Duo will NOT work due to having a 1333 MHz FSB and being based on the Wolfdale micro architecture.

The 945G also does not support quad cores of any sort.

You also need to be wary if you're looking for an E6000 series processor, because when Intel released the Wolfdale, they also released a new batch of E6000 branded processors with the new monkier "Pentium Dual Core". You can tell the new Wolfdale parts apart from the older Conroe parts by the amount of cache they have. All of the Wolfdale E6000 CPUs have 2M of cache, while most of the newer Conroe parts have 4M of cache.

Using these new Wolfdale E6000 based CPUs in a motherboard with a 945 or 965 chipset will result in either the board not booting, or certain features of the CPU will fail (speedstep is almost always broken, making the CPU run at full throttle all the time and consume the maximum amount of power.)

But just because the 945 supports Core 2s, doesn't mean the board will. Many 945 boards don't support Core 2 Duos, even with a BIOS update, your mileage will vary.[/QUOTE]

Thanks for your suggestion, I guess I have a lot to consider when it comes to pc hardware....