Can I upgrade my Dual processor to a Quad?

[andrewanimation]

Hello,

I'm going to ask Best Buy about this tomorrow, but thought I'd stop by here to possibly learn more information beforehand.

My computer is a 4-5 year old Dual Xeon 3.06 GHz. I always assumed the amount of cores is the first thing about overall computer power (I may be wrong, of course), so I was impressed by the Quad cores I've seen today while browsing Tigerdirect. Being a know-nothing when it comes to the inside of the computer, I initially figured I'm stuck with my Dual core unit (though a very nice one), but then I looked further and found that Quad core processors can go for less than $300. That surprised me, as I assumed something so basic to a computer's abilities (if a correct assumption) would go for more.

I wanted to ask if there's more to it than that. For example, would I need to change my motherboard too? (not sure what kind it is, but it's the same one the Dual Xeon 3.06 GHz came with) And/or would I need to supply a special fan for the processor itself, or else it would die? (does my already-existing processor have a fan I would use anyway?)

Whatever would be involved in making my Dual a Quad instead, I know I'd have Best Buy or someplace do the inside stuff, I'm just wondering if my computer's capable of being upgraded to a Quad, and, if so, what that would take.

And otherwise, if it can't be done for whatever reason, is there just another Dual core processor you would still recommend I upgrade my Dual Xeon 3.06 GHz to? For example, I noticed an Intel Core 2 Duo, also for $300.

I figure $300 or so would be a great price to pay if it could make my 4-5 old computer as great as these new Quads. But I wouldn't be surprised if there's more to it than that, since that seems too easy.

Thanks

 

[The_Other_One]

I know know a tremendous amount about the older Xeon or Intel processors in general, but I feel quite certain your motherboard wouldn't be able to handle a quad core. Besides typical bios issues and what not, I'm pretty sure you're running an old 478 or perhaps some other socket rather than the current LGA775. On top of that, you aren't running DDR2 and the drives are probably IDE. Though still usable on some machines, but most companies are going away from them... In the end, it'd probably be easiest to simple build a whole new computer.

Download some software such as CPUz or PC Wizard and it'll give you all the information you'll need to know on your machine. Specifically you should find out your CPU socket type and chipsets.

Also, don't ask the people at Best Buy... This is being rather stereotypical, but most the people I've spoken with there know absolutely nothing about computers, especially computer hardware.