Time for a CPU change, advice?

[OriginalWarrior]

First off, How hard is it to change the CPU myself? I am no expert but i have installed a few video cards and ram over the years, also a CD drive.


I currently have a Pentium D 930 3.0ghz
CPU-Z Specs
Core Speed - 2400.1
Multiplier - x12
Rated FSB - 800
Bus speed - 200

My budget is kind of low since i do not have a job. I have been looking at this processor.
Newegg.com - Intel Pentium E5200 Wolfdale 2.5GHz 2MB L2 Cache LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor - Processors - Desktops

Although i am confident i have a compatible processor for my motherboard (intel D945GPM) because i matched up the sockets (775LMA) I would appreciate it if someone with more experience look over my choice.

Does anyone know if this processor would run my PC games better? Is this a smart choice?

[Drunkenup]

The Dual core Pentium's as far as I know are extinct. And soon is also the 775 Platform. But if you're begging to get a new one without a new motherboard, I would suggest going for a decent Core 2 Duo, or Quad. If you can wait and can save for a new motherboard, I suggest you go with a 1366, or 1156 chipset processor and motherboard once you can.

[MonkeySoldier]

Originally Posted by Drunkenup

The Dual core Pentium's as far as I know are extinct. And soon is also the 775 Platform. But if you're begging to get a new one without a new motherboard, I would suggest going for a decent Core 2 Duo, or Quad. If you can wait and can save for a new motherboard, I suggest you go with a 1366, or 1156 chipset processor and motherboard once you can.

His budget is low, as he mentioned, don't start talking about those kind of chipsets, they're really expensive if you got a low budget.

And the C2D E5200 is a decent CPU. It'll handle BF2 and more modern games perfectly fine.

[RustyBandSaw]

I am not sure if that processor would run on your motherboard, despite the same socket.
Intel® Desktop Board D945GPM - Product features

If it does work (doing some research), I would spend the extra $12 and get the E6300, since it's faster, and your motherboard evidently supports a 1066MHz front side bus.
Newegg.com - Intel Pentium E6300 Wolfdale 2.8GHz 2MB L2 Cache LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor - Processors - Desktops

EDIT: I think it's a no go dude.
http://www.intel.com/support/motherb.../CS-026536.htm

EDIT 2: FFS! I keep getting conflicting information. Someone else needs to take this one!

[OriginalWarrior]

ahh damnit, im going to have to save for a new motherboard then. Oh well ill be fine with 50fps

[Acelondoner]

Originally Posted by OriginalWarrior

ahh damnit, im going to have to save for a new motherboard then. Oh well ill be fine with 50fps

:0 Are you taking the pi*s! I would love to be able to run PR at 50fps. I can't even get 30 on low settings.

[RustyBandSaw]

If I were you, I would save for a whole new system. However, just for grins, you should post the entire report from CPU-Z. In CPU-z, go to the "About" tab, and "Save Report".

I might be able to find some other cheap upgrades you could do.

[OriginalWarrior]

I would LOVE that Rusty.. heres the report.


CPU-Z 1.51 report file

Processor(s)

Number of processors 1
Number of cores 2 per processor
Number of threads 2 per processor
Name Intel Pentium D 930
Code Name Presler
Specification Intel(R) Pentium(R) D CPU 3.00GHz
Package Socket 775 LGA
Family/Model/Stepping F.6.4
Extended Family/Model F.6
Core Stepping C1
Technology 65 nm
Core Speed 2400.0 MHz
Multiplier x Bus speed 12.0 x 200.0 MHz
Rated Bus speed 800.0 MHz
Stock frequency 3000 MHz
Instruction sets MMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, EM64T
L1 Data cache (per processor) 2 x 16 KBytes, 8-way set associative, 64-byte line size
Trace cache (per processor) 2 x 12 Kuops, 8-way set associative
L2 cache (per processor) 2 x 2048 KBytes, 8-way set associative, 64-byte line size

Chipset & Memory

Northbridge Intel i945P/PL/G/GZ rev. A2
Southbridge Intel 82801GB (ICH7/R) rev. A1
Graphic Interface PCI-Express
PCI-E Link Width x16
PCI-E Max Link Width x16
Memory Type DDR2
Memory Size 4096 MBytes
Memory Frequency 333.3 MHz (3:5)
CAS# Latency (tCL) 5.0 clocks
RAS# to CAS# (tRCD) 5 clocks
RAS# Precharge (tRP) 5 clocks
Cycle Time (tRAS) 10 clocks
Bank Cycle Time (tRC) 21 clocks

System

System Manufacturer alienware
System Name alienware
System S/N
Mainboard Vendor Intel Corporation
Mainboard Model D945GPM
BIOS Vendor Intel Corp.
BIOS Version NT94510J.86A.3239.2005.1205.1900
BIOS Date 12/05/2005

Memory SPD

Module 1 DDR2, PC2-6400 (400 MHz), 2048 MBytes, PDP Systems
Module 2 DDR2, PC2-6400 (400 MHz), 2048 MBytes, PDP Systems

Software

Windows Version Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition Professional Service Pack 2 (Build 2600)
DirectX Version 9.0c

[OriginalWarrior]

I also will start editing/mixing music on this computer with Pro Tools 8. I have a 250GB HD on the way.