Help on an upgrade

[RenaultFan]

I want to update the processor on my PC, and this is the list they gave me to choose from:

Must select one of the following options:

Pentium E5300 (W) (2.6GHz /800 MHz) 2 MB L2 cache; Dual Core (65W)
Core 2 Duo E7500 (W) (2.93GHz /1066 MHz) 3 MB L2 cache; Dual Core (65W)
Core 2 Quad Q6600 (K) (2.4GHz /1066 MHz) 8 MB L2 cache; Quad Core (95W)
Core 2 Duo E8300 (W) DC (2.5GHz /1333 MHz) 4 MB L2 cache; Quad Core (95W)

For anyone that knows computers, what would be the best one? Thanks for whatever help you can give.

[DeadsyRUs]

I'd go with the 6600. in your bios, two simple clicks and it can be overclocked to 3.x with no damage when gaming or using programs that take advantage of the processor.

[RenaultFan]

What do you mean, can I do that with my current one to improve performance.

[RenaultFan]

OK check on overclocking, not possible with an HP computer.

[steve_moore]

I've had the 6600 for years. I THINK I need a new PC, but this thing keeps kickin'. I OC'ed it to 3.0, but that's as far as I can get it to go myself stable.

[RenaultFan]

Well I added the new processor but saw no improvement in FPS, Vista upgraded my rating from 5.7 to 5.9 but really haven't noticed any other changes. Any other ideas you guys may have?

[jjkusaf]

Your video card has the most affect on your FPS. The rating based on the slowest component of the computer (usually the hard drive). Never did say what processor you had...which one you got and what kind of video card you have.

[RenaultFan]

By video card, I assume thats the graphics card. The card is a NVIDIA GeForce 9800 GTX/9800 GTX+

The processor I got was the Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 (K) (2.4GHz /1066 MHz) 8 MB L2 cache; Quad Core (95W)

[jjkusaf]

What processor did you have?

[RenaultFan]

The old one was Core 2 Duo E7500 (W) (2.93GHz /1066 MHz) 3 MB L2 cache; Dual Core (65W)

[RenaultFan]

Also would the fan have anything to do with it? cause I am using the old processor's fan instead of the one that came for the new one.

[jjkusaf]

well, the E7500 and Q6600 have nearly identical performance unless you're running programs which utilize all four cores (most games do not). The E7500 will can have the slightest edge on single or dual thread (CPU) programs due to its higher clock speed. The Q6600 is very overclockable, but the HP negates that advantage.

Honestly, I would have put the money (if you bought this) towards a newer graphics card.

sorry

Edit: I think the CPU fan is the same for both of these processors???? If not, I would put the fan that came with it.

[RenaultFan]

Thanks for the help. The graphics card I got 3 years ago when I bought this computer. Any idea on what graphics card would be good now? Price isn't an issue.

[jjkusaf]

well, if money is no object (and your PSU and power grid can supply enough power)... Sapphire HD 6990 ($906.98) > http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004R1Q4VW/...SIN=B004R1Q4VW

ATI just released their 7 series, which is fast ($637.28) > http://www.excaliberpc.com/611611/sa...-7970-3gb.html

...but in reality...any ATI Radeon HD 68xx and higher or GeForce 56x and higher will do just fine.

[RenaultFan]

Wow! Didn't know they get that high. I'll checkout the ATI Radeon HD 68xx and GeForce 56x and see from there. Thanks again.

[RenaultFan]

Yeah I saw, going to wait on the card want to get a new power supply box, I saw that my current card needs 450 watts but the box I currently have is only 300 watts so I want to see if it improve the card any. Just have to figure out what kind I need.

[RenaultFan]

I installed the new PSU and their was no difference, going to buy a new graphics card and hope that improves the FPS over my old one. Getting tired of spending money and nothing is working so hopefully the card will. Also the processor fan I got is a clip in rather then screw in and it won't clip in. Even took the motherboard out to get it to snap and nothing. Anyone know of anything that I can use to install the new fan?

[S_Gibson]

I installed the new PSU and their was no difference, going to buy a new graphics card and hope that improves the FPS over my old one. Getting tired of spending money and nothing is working so hopefully the card will. Also the processor fan I got is a clip in rather then screw in and it won't clip in. Even took the motherboard out to get it to snap and nothing. Anyone know of anything that I can use to install the new fan?

You will see no performance advantage from a new power supply as long as the system had adequate power. If your system was strained for power before it would have probably shut down by itself or locked up a lot.

[RenaultFan]

Ok, I bought a new card so I will try that out soon.

[RenaultFan]

Well added the new card and it didn't improve the FPS, also for some reason it will not load the catalyst control center. I click it and the cursor moves like its loading but nothing ever pops up.