Buying a new CPU

[deanlaing12]

I would like to buy a new CPU.

I have two options in mind:

Buy the best one that is compatible with my mother board...

Or buy a new mother board and CPU that dose not require me to replace the graphics card or ram sticks. Or anything else for that matter. (psu is an exception, they are not incredibly expensive... right?)

I was thinking of getting the "Q9550" but im not sure it's compatible...

What cpu would you suggest i buy? I currently have:

CPU
Intel Pentium 4 541
Cores 1
Threads 2
Name Intel Pentium 4 541
Code Name Prescott
Package Socket 775 LGA
Technology 90nm
Specification Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 3.20GHz
Family F
Extended Family F
Model 4
Extended Model 4
Stepping 9
Revision G1
Instructions MMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, Intel 64
Virtualization Unsupported
Hyperthreading Supported, Enabled
Fan Speed 2265 RPM
Bus Speed 199.5 MHz
Rated Bus Speed 798.0 MHz
Stock Core Speed 3200 MHz
Stock Bus Speed 200 MHz
Caches
L1 Data Cache Size 16 KBytes
L1 trace cache 12 Kuops
L2 Unified Cache Size 1024 KBytes
Core 0
Core Speed 2791.0 MHz
Multiplier x 14.0
Bus Speed 199.5 MHz
Rated Bus Speed 798.0 MHz
Thread 1
APIC ID 0
Thread 2
APIC ID 1

Motherboard
Manufacturer Gigabyte Technology Co., Ltd.
Model 8I945GZME-RH
Chipset Vendor Intel
Chipset Model i945GZ
Chipset Revision A2
Southbridge Vendor Intel
Southbridge Model 82801GB (ICH7/R)
Southbridge Revision A1
System Temperature 50 °C
BIOS
Brand Award Software International, Inc.
Version F6
Date 08/29/2006
Voltage
CPU CORE 1.248 V
MEMORY CONTROLLER 1.824 V
+3.3V 3.408 V
+12V 12.288 V
-5V -5.120 V
PCI Data
1. PCI Available
2. PCI Available
3. PCI Available

 

[Rabbit01]

The Core2 Quad Q9550 is not supported. The board will only support up to Core2 Duo E6700. See here: http://www.gigabyte.com/support-downloads/cpu-support-popup.aspx?pid=2304

The Q9550 costs about $300 at Newegg. Is that your budget for the upgrade?

 

[deanlaing12]

The Core2 Quad Q9550 is not supported. The board will only support up to Core2 Duo E6700. See here: http://www.gigabyte.com/support-downloads/cpu-support-popup.aspx?pid=2304

The Q9550 costs about $300 at Newegg. Is that your budget for the upgrade?

I was thinking of a budget between £100~200 so yea

Since i wont be able to do better than double my speed, i am now looking into the idea of a new motherboard...

 

[captaincranky]

The Intel 945 chipset is, for all intents and purposes, a dead end.

And here again, sorry to report, you're going to have to go, "all in", so to speak, and replace the RAM also. (You'll need DDR-3 for whatever mainboard you buy).

You should be shopping, (if you're intent on Intel), from among these "Sandy Bridge" CPUs: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...=100007671 600095610&IsNodeId=1&name=LGA 1155

 

[deanlaing12]

The Intel 945 chipset is, for all intents and purposes, a dead end.

And here again, sorry to report, you're going to have to go, "all in", so to speak, and replace the RAM also. (You'll need DDR-3 for whatever mainboard you buy).

You should be shopping, (if you're intent on Intel), from among these "Sandy Bridge" CPUs: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...=100007671 600095610&IsNodeId=1&name=LGA 1155

Ahh, thanks for your help! Well... i think i shall pass and just save up for a new system altogether. First il buy my pc then the car... running cost of the car might slow my time to get the pc!