What steps can I take to upgrade my processor?

[CodyKinz]

I want to increase by 2.2 Ghz to 3.2 Ghz, is that possible?

Here is my Info:

 

[trents]

Probably not possible for two reasons:

1. That HP box store computer bios probably is bare bones and has no tools with which to overclock, i.e., no settings that can be changed to speed up the CPU.
2. To expect to increase that model CPU speed by one whole ghz is asking too much unless you have extreme cooling.

 

[CodyKinz]

Probably not possible for two reasons:

1. That HP box store computer bios probably is bare bones and has no tools with which to overclock, i.e., no settings that can be changed to speed up the CPU.
2. To expect to increase that model CPU speed by one whole ghz is asking too much unless you have extreme cooling.

Argh, okay. Thank you so much!
Do you have any recommendations for a new processor, that isn't too expensive? I'm using it for gaming, specifically I want to run TERA Rising.

 

[kyfire]

The best you're going to be able to do with that mobo is a Athlon 64 3800+ (2.4 GHz / 2000MT/s); 512KB L2 cache.

Sorry, but it's time to retire that 13 year old compter and get a new one.

 

[trents]

The best you're going to be able to do with that mobo is a Athlon 64 3800+ (2.4 GHz / 2000MT/s); 512KB L2 cache.

Sorry, but it's time to retire that 13 year old compter and get a new one.

Amen! Any upgrade you make to that system will yield very poor improvement to cost ratios. Don't buy a mass produced, box store computer next time. Build your own using quality components that are configurable and upgradeable.

 

[CodyKinz]

Amen! Any upgrade you make to that system will yield very poor improvement to cost ratios. Don't buy a mass produced, box store computer next time. Build your own using quality components that are configurable and upgradeable.

How much would it cost to build a gaming computer from the ground up?

 

[ThorV2]

However much you want to spend...

 

[kyfire]

How much would it cost to build a gaming computer from the ground up?

Anywhere from the cost of a pre-built off the shelf ($300 to $500) to the max amount in your bank account.

 

[trents]

Give us a budget figure to work with and we'll try to get a list of parts put together for you. And keep in mind this budget would likely need to cover the cost of a Windows OS purchase because when you buy a box store computer they don't give you a Windows install DVD anymore. Unless you purchased one after you got the computer as an upgrade and have it on hand, that is.

Are you in the USA?

 

[trents]

Here are the "Minimum" and "Recommended" system requirements for Tera Rising: http://www.game-debate.com/games/index.php?g_id=6997&game=Tera: Rising

Not a real demanding app for sure. I think I would steer you in the direction of the AMD Trinity APU line. The APUs are CPUs that have moderately potent GPUs built into the processor so no need to buy a video card. Looks like you may have purchased Win 7 32-bit at some point so if you want to stay with that you would just need 4 gb of DDR3 ram since a 32-bit OS can't use more than that anyway.

CPU/APU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819113282

Motherboard: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157331

Memory: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231427

PSU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139027

Hard disk:http://www.amazon.com/Western-Digit...68307732&sr=8-1&keywords=500+gb+sata+internal

Case: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811133094

Total of about $320.00. You can reuse your current mouse and keyboard.

 

[CodyKinz]

Thank you everyone! So fast and quick. 320 sounds very reasonable!

 

[trents]

Cody, the parts list I gave above is the very minimum you should consider in order to play your TERA game but I would really like to see you throw in another $100 and move up to a 64-bit version of Windows and another $15-$20 and move up to 8 gigs of ram instead of 4 gigs:

Windos 7 Home Premium OEM 64-bit: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...tion=Windows+7+Home+Premium+OEM&x=-785&y=-112

8 gb RAM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820313355

I don't know if you are aware that a 32-bit OS can use a maximum of 4 gb of ram and in the case of computers that use an APU type CPU even some of that will be reserved for the video function since there is no discrete video card with it's own memory. In other words, with APUs some of the main system ram is used for the built in GPU.

Those two changes would give you better performance and a more future proof computer. Oh, if your current hard disk has a SATA connection then you could save a few bucks by just reusing it in the new build. If it has been in use for several years I would not recommend it, however, as it could fail any time.

 

[CodyKinz]

Cody, the parts list I gave above is the very minimum you should consider in order to play your TERA game but I would really like to see you throw in another $100 and move up to a 64-bit version of Windows and another $15-$20 and move up to 8 gigs of ram instead of 4 gigs:

Windos 7 Home Premium OEM 64-bit: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...tion=Windows+7+Home+Premium+OEM&x=-785&y=-112

8 gb RAM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820313355

I don't know if the people here are Pro/Anti Torrent but would I be able to Torrent Windows 8 64-Bit versus buying?

Thanks again.

 

[trents]

I personally would not be comfortable with that for two reasons:

1. It's illegal
2. When I have used Bit Torrent I have contracted viruses, though it's been a long time since I have used it.

 

[rescuetoaster]

The virus thing isn't any more of an issue than getting any software from anywhere on the internet, however, I absolutely do not recommend torrenting windows. Like Trents said, it's stealing, but you also more than likely would not be able to receive updates to it along with a multitude of other issues.

Plus, windows 8 is fairly cheap these days. I don't know if you are a university student, but if so, you can more than likely pick up a super cheap copy through your university IT department as many schools have a MSDN hookup for students.

 

[trents]

Bit Torrent is a peer to peer network and the virus threat comes from the fact that you are receiving data directly from a bunch of peer computers, any number of which can be infected and there is not centralized control of this that I know of.