Choosing between CPUs and giving an old PC an overall boost

[harmony]

I'm writing here because i could find much OC info on my motherboard and wanted to ask for advice on what i can achieve with this PC.

I have an old desktop that i would like to use for torrents and films,etc but currently it has a hard time with HD videos. I intend to install a lighter os - Lubuntu probably (i'm with windows 8 now), but i want to give it a boost with a bit of overclocking.

Here's the configuration:
Motherboard DQ965GFEKR µATX Mainboard, Intel® Q965: http://www.lynx-it.de/lynx/popup_details.php?prod=DQ965...
RAM:2x1GB DDR2 and 2X2GB DDR2 all four running at 667MHz
CPU: I actually have two, advice on which to use would be welcome. They are:
Intel® Core™2 Duo Processor E6320 (4M Cache, 1.86 GHz, 1066 MHz FSB)- I'm using this one now it's consuming 1.2V
Intel® Pentium® D Processor 925 (4M Cache, 3.00 GHz, 800 MHz FSB)
The GPU is sadly integrated it's an Intel GMA 300 with 256MB of memory (i'll see if i can get a new one later on-depends on the OC results)
and an Intel Q965/963 Express chipset family.


I don't need a huge improvement, because i'll like have overheating issues (the computer is working fine now, but it's going to be a hot summer). I need to guys to give me an idea of how to set the whole thing up (what would you do if you were in my place).

If i can get the D925 and RAM to 1066MHz i'd be a happy clam, but if i can get better performance out of it i welcome suggestions on how to do so. I guess i'll find out myself soon enough, but i just wanted to see what i should expect and should i even bother.

 

[Badbonji]

The RAM shouldn't be holding much back at 667MHz, especially if the sticks are running at a lower latency to compensate - you can check this by downloading CPU-z and checking the memory tabs and could attach a screenshot to your post.

As for the CPU, I'd stick with the core 2 duo. It should consume less power and is more efficient than the pentium D family, if you are worried about overheating and all. It is also faster clock for clock than the pentium D, so overall I'd say they'd be at least on par with each other considering the clock difference (1.86 Vs 3 GHz) - see http://cpuboss.com/cpus/Intel-Pentium-D-925-vs-Intel-Core2-Duo-E6320 for a few CPU benchmarks at the bottom.

Getting a cheap recent card should help a lot with the HD video playback I would imagine, something like a GT 610 or HD 6450 if you don't game. I use a HD5450 in my HTPC.

And if you want a CPU upgrade on that socket, you could try ebay or similar for a Q6600 or above, (http://processormatch.intel.com/Processors/CompatibleProcessors?componentName=dq965gf has the list of the more recent CPUs for that chipset). I believe it is limited to 1066 MHz FSB support so not sure about the later quads (Q9XXX etc.)

 

[Namel]

it has a hard time with HD videos. I intend to install a lighter os - Lubuntu probably (i'm with windows 8 now)

Changing to Linux probably won't help. I had old laptop with Windows XP. I tried couple different light Linux versions in it. Videos were actually worse than on XP. Video drivers on Linux tend to be worse than those in Windows.

 

[harmony]

Yes i've already seen that benchmark. If i stick with the E6320 do you think it's worth OC it? And if yes, looking at my configuration how much do you think i can get away with?

I checked my RAM like you said but the memory tab is empty https://www.dropbox.com/s/fidmd87g8dlcpcv/1.PNG

but in the SPD i can see this:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/spd7g3l4dmwbwab/2.PNG

@ Namel - it depends on the Linux. Compating XP to a lite Linux distro probably want show a big difference in performance. I gave the HD video performance as an example - the computer is generally slow. Forget everything else - Win 8 uses at least 1GB of RAM, lubuntu needs 128mb

 

[Badbonji]

As far as I know that board doesn't have overclocking options in the BIOS (you could take a look to be certain). The only other way would be via software, which will have to support the board (SetFSB is one such application) - this will be much more limited in terms of the speed you'll attain.

I'd guess it will be running the 3rd profile at 667MHz, you might be able to see the settings for memory frequency and latency in the BIOS. Upgrading the RAM will be unlikely to net you any gain in performance.