Proscessor

[DukeLeto]

Ok, I *gulp* was thinking of buying a new proscessor chip for my computer. I think I already know what one I want (AMD Athlon XP 2200+, 2400+, or 2600+ - whatever seems most economical. {Yes, Nyar, AMD, and you're not changing my mind. :P})

Now, what I want to know:

1) Where can I buy one? I've tried the AMD website; there's a price list, but it's for bulk, and I really don't need 1,000 proscessors. :P

2) What do you have to do to install one? Is there anything special, or is it just line-the-holes-to-the-pegs-and-push?

Edit: Oh, and just curiois, how do I determine what my power supply is? Would I have to open the case?

[Nyarlathotep]

Duke, I know I can't change your mind, so I won't even try :)

1) Go to Tomshardware and search for the cheapest price.

2) That depends on your current motherboard (don't know if you're going to change that as well).

3) Yes, you have to open your pc, unless it's stated at the back of your PC near power supply fan.

[DukeLeto]

Sweet, 2600 XP for under $100 USD. Thanks Nyar! :)

[number6]

You can also go here to find the lowest prices for PC components.

[DukeLeto]

2) That depends on your current motherboard (don't know if you're going to change that as well).

I THINK I have an AMD motherboard as well... As for the model, your guess is as good as mine. Where would I find out (in Device Manager probably, but where?)?

[Nyarlathotep]

Don't you have a motherboard manual ? It's not stated anywhere besides on the manual, or motherboard itself.

Besides, if the board is "old", you might want to consider changing it for a newer one, together with ram to match your processor.

[DukeLeto]

No, I don't have the manual. We didn't build it ourselves, my parents bought it from HP.

Anyways, as for the RAM, we have 512 MB of DDR, that should be fine.

[Nyarlathotep]

Duke, what type of HP is it ? You need to know, due to the fact that new processors might not be compatible with your current motherboard.

[DukeLeto]

HP Pavilion 700. It's only about a year old.

[number6]

I just looked into your motherboard Duke and it appears that you can only go up to an Athlon XP 2100. You can see the info on your motherboard at the HP site here:

http://h20015.www2.hp.com/en/document.jhtml?reg=&cc=us&lc=en&prodId=hppavilion72453&docName=bph08116&cat=prodinfo

It says there that you have an ASUS A7M266-M motherboard.

If you search the ASUS website for supported CPU's for this motherboard you will find this link:

http://www.asus.com/support/cpusupport/cpusupport.aspx

You should first select the Motherboard radio button, then when the screen displays 2 pull down menus select CPU socket type of motherboard as "Socket A" and motherboard model as "A7M266" to see your motherboards supported CPU's.

[DukeLeto]

WTF?! You've got to be kidding me? What jackass designs a motherboard that can't support half the shit out there! Grr, I am NOT happy right now. Fucking HP. See if I ever buy any of their shit again.

[number6]

You get what you pay for. HP's are generally really cheap and not meant to be upgraded very much. I always recommend checking into your upgrade options before picking a computer. Of course the chips of today will not be available a year or two ago when you bought the system and there is no way for the manufacturers to account for chip maker changes to the CPU's.

[DukeLeto]

Well, if my parents would have brought me, I know that HPs are sh*t. But no, they think they know all there is to know about computers... And the salesman would NEVER lie to them! ::)