Buying a new CPU

Charnia

New Member
Hi

as the title says, I want to buy a new CPU. A few months ago, I bought a new 3D card, and it ended i had to cut of a piece, buy a new power supply and buy a new computer screen. A lot of misery.
Now, I am thinking to buy the Intel Core i3 530, or another CPU with almost the same price. Any suggestions?
Before I buy it, i want to make sure I have everything. With the Video card I had a lot of unpleasant surprises, and i don't want to pass trough it again.
So, is there anything i have to account with? The size? I heard something about thermal paste? The power supply? The fan?
Currently i have a Inter(R) Pentium(R) D CPU 2.80 GHz 2.79 GHz. I don't know much about the hardware of a pc (I don't even know if i have a single, dual or quadcore CPU)

Thanks

BTW: sorry for my English, I am learning it. Correct me if I am wrong.
 
We'll need to know your computer specifications. Most importantly the motherboard.

EDIT: About the thermal paste, it's a pasty substance used to help transfer heat from your CPU to the heatsink. When you buy a new cpu, some will come with a heatsink (retail) others might not (OEM), in those cases you'll need to buy one separately. Also, some heatsink come with thermal paste pre-applied (this is usually the case for heatsinks supplied with CPU), others will not.

See "How to build a computer"
 
Last edited:
Download CPU-Z and tell us what is the motherboard model.

Since your existing is LGA 775, there is no chance you can just buy i3 530 without upgrade the motherboard and RAM at the same time.

Also, tell us the overall budget.
 
Well need to know your computer specifications. Most importantly the motherboard.

I made a dxDiag log, maybe you can see it in there. I deleted some lines so the file is under the 19 kb limit (I made sure i didn't delete anything important)

EDIT: sorry Daisymtc i was replying to Sniperchang befer you posted
Budget: about 110 € (145$) to 140 € (190$)

ok my motherboard: Manufacturer: Dell Inc.
Model: 0HJ054
Chipset: Intel ----- i945P/PL/G/GZ ------ Rev.: A2
Southbridge: Intel ----- 82801GB (ICH7/R)
LPCIO: SMSC
 
Last edited:
Is that a Dell e510??
I don't think you can upgrade to Pentium dual core / C2D either.

If you want to upgrade with intel, new mobo + DDR3 RAM + CPU
Or if you want to keep existing DDR2 RAM, Go for AMD Athlon II/ Phenom II and find a mobo use DDR2 RAM with them.

I think E510 with BATX mobo, I am not sure if you can reuse your case when you upgrade.

Edit: since you have low budget, I think you should go down AMD route...
 
Last edited:
Is that a Dell e510??
I don't think you can upgrade to Pentium dual core / C2D either.

If you want to upgrade with intel, new mobo + DDR3 RAM + CPU
Or if you want to keep existing DDR2 RAM, Go for AMD Athlon II/ Phenom II and find a mobo use DDR2 RAM with them.

I think E510 with BATX mobo, I am not sure if you can reuse your case when you upgrade.

Edit: since you have low budget, I think you should go down AMD route...

So if i want a new CPU i have to: Buy a new mobo and new RAM
Or an old mobo and a AMD Athlon II/ Phenom II CPU?

And i have to make sure the mobo fits in the case?

Sigh. I think i have replaced everything then.....
 
So if i want a new CPU i have to: Buy a new mobo and new RAM
Or an old mobo and a AMD Athlon II/ Phenom II CPU?

And i have to make sure the mobo fits in the case?

Sigh. I think i have replaced everything then.....

IMO you should save for a whole new system. You could post your budget and requirements in the Desktop Computers section, and our members will suggest parts to buy so you could put it together.
 
The problem is I bought a new power supply + video card a month ago.

AND I don't think every mobo fits in my case. Do I have to measure my mobo and tell the size to a shopkeeper?
 
Last edited:
Usually the 2 most common size for motherboard is ATX and mATX.
they are with size of 12.6 x 9.6 and 9.6 x 9.6
If you buying new case, there would be no problem. I just don't know if they fit your existing
 
Usually the 2 most common size for motherboard is ATX and mATX.
they are with size of 12.6 x 9.6 and 9.6 x 9.6
If you buying new case, there would be no problem. I just don't know if they fit your existing

He has BTX, and that's completely incompatible with ATX (The expansion slots and back ports are reversed)

OP: You'd need a new case, CPU, possibly power supply (You said you replaced it, what did you buy?) mobo, and possibly RAM depending on kind of mobo.
 
Back
Top