Help Upgrading Processor

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DRAGON JOEY

New Member
Hello guys, first of all I just started in this forum, but I have used the information on it in the past, and I must say it has been very helpful. I'm interested in upgrading the processor on my desktop, for starters I am aware that it is a bit old but I'm thinking that it might be better for me to upgrade this one instead of buying a new one. I have an emachines T3656 and I was thinking on upgrading the processor to an "Intel Core 2 Quad Q6700 2.66 GHz", I did see that it has the same socket as my motherboard but needed to know if by upgrading to this processor is there something else I would need to change. I am aware that the heatshrink has to be upgraded, but other than that is there anything else?

Thanks in advance for the help and great day.

Oh, I'm not a computer genius but have done some minor repairs on computers. But I am a very quick learner...:confused:
 
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See if the bios version you have, supports the new cpu. If not, the bios will need to be flashed, if there is an update for it. If there is no supporting update, then no can do.
 
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Ah, the age old question: "Can I get more juice from my current rig?"

Well, let's dig in shall we?

So I dug around for some support information on the eMachines T3656 and I was able to find some detailed hardware specifications on their support site (available here).

The motherboard in that machine is an ECS 945GCT-M3, with an Intel® 945GC Express Chipset. There is a CPU compatibility list on the ECS site (ECS tested models).

This is where it gets a little interesting, because according to the ECS site, the board will support 1066MHz FSB Core2Duos (It doesn't expressly offer support for any of the Core2Quads), but the eMachines site specs argue that 800MHz is the maximum. There is a BIOS update from 2009 available on the eMachines site that doesn't include a change log, but may add this functionality.

Most of the 'sanctioned' CPU upgrades for that machine are outdated and difficult to find, beside being fairly slow in comparison to more contemporary models.

I'd like to believe that it would work, but there's really no guarantee at all. Even if it does boot fine, there's nothing saying that wonkiness won't ensue.

The best recommendation I can give you is to buy a newer LGA 775 board that supports the Q6700 out of the box. A cheap, quality board I'll recommend is the Foxconn G31MXP-K, available for $34.99 US from NewEgg.com (also available elsewhere I'm sure).

If you can afford a little extra you will get more chipset features, but I really don't see it as necessary for your machine.

Good luck, and let us know how things go for you :).

-Chris

P.S. I am currently running a G41 version of that board from Foxconn and everything has been fantastic so far.
 
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DRAGON JOEY said:
Thanks for the info in regards to my question. Now will this MB fit into my case or will I need to buy a new case?
Click to expand...

That motherboard should fit your case. However, I would not highly recommend you to do so as you got OEM OS from emachine, there could be driver problem...

On the other hand, I don't thing Q6700 worth the money. If you want quad core at cheap price now, get amd athlon IIx4 with am3/ am2+ socket.

While for your existing mobo, since it is 945GC chipset, I suggest you go for 65nm CPU with 800FSB. (ebay)
 
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