retired_StayLove

Currently have a intel celeron CPU 2.60ghz with 1.25gb of Ram.

Looking to upgrade to a much quicker processor which avenue should I venture down? Are the Intel core processors worth having a look at or is AMD the best option?

Incidentally don't have clue with processors so any advice is appreciated and I have around £90-£120 to spend so anything within that limit would be great...

retired_jorie

What motherboard are you using as this will limit your processor selection ?

retired_suzannechua

Dual-core and Quad-core does seem the way to go. But the technology is new and you may not utilize it with some programs.

However the Intel e6600 may suit you well.

retired_suzannechua

Oh yeh. Chances are if you are using DDR Ram and Celeron processor you have an incompatible mobo.

retired_stephschmal

if you want the latest processors you'll have to look into buying a new motherboard as well. And probably some new RAM to go along with the motherboard. While you're at it, get a new hard disk drive, and maybe a video card.

retired_stephschmal

basically, if you want a much quicker processor, get a new setup...

retired_nikhil_419

intel have just slashed their prices so atm they're not that much more than the AMD ones.

i've just priced up a new computer for myself which i plan to order from dabs.com


Intel Core 2 Duo E6750 S775 2.66ghz 4mb Cache 1333FSB - £115.74

EVGA S775 nForce 650i Ultra ATX A L (support 1333FSB)- £59.92

OCZ Technology 2x1GB 240DIMM PC2-6400 DDR2 Gold - £58.28

XFX GeForce 8400GS 256MB/512MB Turbo Cache DDR2 PCIE DVI VGA HDCP - £31.84

Western Digital Caviar 160GB 7200RPM S300 16MB -£38.28

quite good for £300

retired_tryingfitness

I've heard that the Intel dual core ones are better than the AMD dual cores.

retired_StayLove

Motherboard:
CPU Type Intel Celeron 4A, 2600 MHz (6.5 x 400)
Motherboard Name Unknown
Motherboard Chipset Unknown
System Memory 1280 MB
BIOS Type AMI (09/23/05)
Communication Port Communications Port (COM1)
Communication Port ECP Printer Port (LPT1)

That's pretty much all information I could find about my Motherboard using AIDA32...

Is it weird that my Motherboard name and chipset are unknown?

retired_nabrooks

As others have said, chances are you'll have to upgrade more than the processor, especially if that's one of the older Celerons.

If you have an AGP gfx card, the cheapest route would be to go for an AMD set up (as you can still get AGP motherboards for the AMD cpu's)

This AGP motherboard for £43
with an X2 4200 for £45

You'll also need a cpu cooler for the above but they can be had for as little as £5. The only problem is these products are socket 939 which are end of the line. Should you want to upgrade again in the future, you'll need another new mobo as 939 cpu's are no more. Will still be MUCH quicker than your present set up and should be ok for a couple of years.

For a little more you can go the AM2 route, which is more future-proof but will require new DDR2 memory.

AsRock AGP AM2 mobo for £36
AMD X2 4200 AM2 £50
Corsair 1GB DDR2 £33

This will take you a few quid over budget with P&P, but will allow you to throw in bigger processors in the future. There are still some very good AGP cards around too, so that shouldn't be a worry (not sure we'll see any DX10 AGP cards released though)