Upgrading CPU and/or HDD

neo_bahamut1985 · Post by **neo_bahamut1985** » Fri Jun 06, 2008 5:17 pm

Okay, my current motherboard is an Asus P5WD2-Premium and I think it supports Core Duo processors but I'm not 100% sure. If it does support these type of CPUs, what would be the best (overall) to upgrade to? (BTW, this mobo has 533/800/1033MHz FSB). And I was also thinking of upgrading the HDD (I wanted to use RAID so I can have three HDDs); maybe in the 500GB to 750GB range (want to save money). What would be the best way to go?

MisterJones · Post by **MisterJones** » Fri Jun 06, 2008 5:47 pm

Your mobo is socket 775, which does support core cpus. More info here: http://www.cpu-world.com/Sockets/Socket ... A775).html

Also, you really don't need to use raid. And i think for your wording you inteded to mean sata drives. Which you should use if you can get 'em.

neo_bahamut1985 · Post by **neo_bahamut1985** » Fri Jun 06, 2008 6:15 pm

Nice! That means I can finally run Bsnes, etc with no skipping! What about HDDs? What are some you recommend?

MisterJones · Post by **MisterJones** » Fri Jun 06, 2008 6:22 pm

Anything Seagate, but I am not really an expert on the field.

If Maxtors are still as bad as they were a couple of years ago, avoid them like the plague.

neo_bahamut1985 · Post by **neo_bahamut1985** » Fri Jun 06, 2008 6:51 pm

I heard Western Digitals are nice nowadays (back like 10 years ago, the sucked).

Post by **odditude** » Fri Jun 06, 2008 8:41 pm

MisterJones wrote:Your mobo is socket 775, which does support core cpus. More info here: http://www.cpu-world.com/Sockets/Socket ... A775).html

Just because the socket matches does NOT mean the processor is supported.

The 955X chipset does NOT support any Core 2 processors.

In particular, this list shows the supported processors for the P5WD2 Premium. Unfortunately, they're all out of production.

neo_bahamut1985 · Post by **neo_bahamut1985** » Fri Jun 06, 2008 8:43 pm

Ah, okay, that makes sense. Okay...what about some good videocards?

Gil_Hamilton · Post by **Gil_Hamilton** » Fri Jun 06, 2008 8:58 pm

MisterJones wrote:Anything Seagate, but I am not really an expert on the field.

If Maxtors are still as bad as they were a couple of years ago, avoid them like the plague.

Maxtors and Seagates are the same drives now.

neo_bahamut1985 · Post by **neo_bahamut1985** » Fri Jun 06, 2008 9:44 pm

Okay, Western Digital it is. Maybe around 500-750GB.

Edit 7:06 PM - Okay, interestingly enough, a Core Duo 2 physically "fits" in the motherboard's LGA775 socket, but it's not actually "supported", according to documentaion I've read. But it does support Pentium-D, which I found on a few websites (apparently it's still being sold, just not being manfactured anymore). My question is, when upgrading from a single-core Pentium IV 3.20GHz (Prescott) to a Dual-core Pentium-D 3.20GHz w/4MB L2 cache CPU, which would have the best overall performance? What I'm saying is, if I upgraded to a Pentium-D, would I notice any improvement?

franpa · Post by **franpa** » Sat Jun 07, 2008 7:19 am

Seagate 7200.11 series hard drive. Faster then the Old raptor 150gig and dead silent. Runs 10 degree's celsius cooloer then my old Western Digital and has a higher threshold (for overheating) then the western digital.

funkyass · Post by **funkyass** » Sat Jun 07, 2008 9:31 am

check for a bios upgrade, it may add support for core 2.

and never ever listen to franpa.

franpa · Post by **franpa** » Sat Jun 07, 2008 9:49 am

funkyass wrote:and never ever listen to franpa.

Care to elaborate why my suggestion is stupid?

neo_bahamut1985 · Post by **neo_bahamut1985** » Sat Jun 07, 2008 3:25 pm

A BIOS upgrade sounds logical, since they already physically fit in a LGA775 socket anyways. Core Duos aren't that expensive AFAIK. But in the event that there aren't BIOS upgrades, would a Pentium-D outperform the one I have now or not?

Edit 8:52AM - anyone have any leads one where to find up-to-date BIOS downloads for the P5WD2-Premium (no "E")? Would Pentium Extreme Edition be a better choice? If I'm to upgrade at all, what would be the best thing to get? (already have 3GB of DDR2-SDRAM/PC6400, BTW).

funkyass · Post by **funkyass** » Sat Jun 07, 2008 8:20 pm

your motherboard's website?

neo_bahamut1985 · Post by **neo_bahamut1985** » Sat Jun 07, 2008 8:33 pm

Here it is : usa.asus.com But, I decided to get a good-priced PNY GeForce 9600 GT (for $140.00), sure it's no 9800 XT, but it was a good deal. The reason I didn't choose a CPU is because it really wouldn't have made much of a difference in performance, anyway. I don't need a new mobo just to get a CPU my motherboard doesn't work with. Too expensive.

Deathlike2 · Post by **Deathlike2** » Sat Jun 07, 2008 8:48 pm

franpa wrote:
funkyass wrote:and never ever listen to franpa.
Care to elaborate why my suggestion is stupid?

Beats me, but look at it this way. It's a confirmation or an indictment against you of the other zboarders.

l3v3l · Post by **l3v3l** » Sun Jun 08, 2008 11:18 am

I'd choose a Samsung HDD!

-> 501LJ (S-ATA II, 500GB, 7200rpm, 16MB Cache)

-> 753LJ (F1-Series, S-ATA II, 750GB, 7200rpm, 32MB Cache)

l3v3l · Post by **l3v3l** » Sun Jun 08, 2008 11:27 am

Deathlike2 wrote:
franpa wrote:
funkyass wrote:and never ever listen to franpa.
Care to elaborate why my suggestion is stupid?
Beats me, but look at it this way. It's a confirmation or an indictment against you of the other zboarders.

I agree

But the Seagate 7200.11 series aren't that bad..

Post by **odditude** » Mon Jun 09, 2008 2:51 am

neo_bahamut1985 wrote:Edit 7:06 PM - Okay, interestingly enough, a Core Duo 2 physically "fits" in the motherboard's LGA775 socket, but it's not actually "supported", according to documentaion I've read. But it does support Pentium-D, which I found on a few websites (apparently it's still being sold, just not being manfactured anymore).

Wow, did you bother reading my previous post at all? I even linked you to the motherboard's support page, which spelled everything out for you (including the next few questions you asked about BIOS updates).

neo_bahamut1985 wrote:My question is, when upgrading from a single-core Pentium IV 3.20GHz (Prescott) to a Dual-core Pentium-D 3.20GHz w/4MB L2 cache CPU, which would have the best overall performance? What I'm saying is, if I upgraded to a Pentium-D, would I notice any improvement?

You would possibly notice an improvement in multithreaded apps that are CPU dependent, or if you run a large number of applications at once. This improvement would be lessened somewhat since your P4 has hyperthreading, which does a reasonable job of assisting with that currently.

However, you haven't specified which P4 you have (540, 540J, 541, 640, 641...), and the relative performance gains (and other possible benefits) will vary depending on which of those chips you have. Unless you get a good deal (<$25 or so), it's not worth it.

neo_bahamut1985 wrote:But, I decided to get a good-priced PNY GeForce 9600 GT (for $140.00), sure it's no 9800 XT, but it was a good deal.

You're right. A 9800XT would be a four-and-a-half generation old AGP Radeon.

For the love of god, if you're going to throw out model names, make sure they're correct before you hit the post button.

</annoyed ranting>

neo_bahamut1985 · Post by **neo_bahamut1985** » Mon Jun 09, 2008 3:38 am

Sor-ry for not spelling it right! What I meant is I didn't want to spend $600+ for a new card.

neo_bahamut_ghost · Post by **neo_bahamut_ghost** » Tue Jun 10, 2008 3:16 am

Yep, I was neo_bahamut1985 a few hours ago, but I can't recover my bloody password (I just got Firefox, which I like waaay better than IE). It was an email account that I can no longer access. So, is there any way of getting back via another email?

funkyass · Post by **funkyass** » Tue Jun 10, 2008 5:32 am

Instant message an admin.

Post by **grinvader** » Tue Jun 10, 2008 6:15 am

*sigh*
You've cluttered the board with 3 accounts so far. Can't you fucking remember your own password ?
... anyway, check your PMs.

Gil_Hamilton · Post by **Gil_Hamilton** » Tue Jun 10, 2008 6:36 am

Hey guys...
WHAT UP WITH BAHUMAT?

Post by **Agozer** » Tue Jun 10, 2008 3:15 pm

Gil_Hamilton wrote:Hey guys...
WHAT UP WITH BAHUMAT?

lol

good times