new processor help!

[matias_edt]

the reason i want a new processor is to play latest games like half life 2, farcry,doom 3 ,and others...i dont know much about processors and i need help to find the right one.i currently own an intel pentium 4 1.6 ghz and i am not happy with it when playing farcry ,and moh passific assault demo...it takes a like 5 -7min to load the games and i belief its the processor whats not doing its job...will an intel pentium 4 2.8 ghz be a good choice to play all latest games? is it only the processor that i need to upgrade to get better performance to play latest games?

computer specs:

512 RAM
intel pentium 4 1.6 ghz
ati 9800 pro 128 MB (just got it!)

 

[Praetor]

Not only are you going to have to get a new CPU, you'll have to geta new mobo -- your CPU is a socket 423 chip and the newer ones are socket 478 (and then socket775). You might also need different ram

 

[matias_edt]

should i just get a new compuer?

 

[jesbax]

no it wold be cheaper to get a new motherboard and prossesor and ram. If you look in the right places you can pickup a mobo with ram and cpu together. The mobo i have came with 512 mb ram and 2 GHz cpu and a lifetime warranty.
__________________________
Windows XP SP2
Celeron 2.00 GHz
768 MB Kingston
100 GB Maxon HD
16x DVD-ROM
52x32x52x CD-RW
NVIDIA GeForce2 MX
NVIDIA RIVA TNT Model 64/Model 64 Pro
RAGE 128 GL AGP
VIA Rhine II
ADMtek AN983 10/100 PCI

 

[Praetor]

If you look in the right places you can pickup a mobo with ram and cpu together

90% of the time you're better off without those 'combo' deals

The mobo I have came with 512 mb ram and 2 GHz cpu and a lifetime warranty.

But the lifetime warranty thing has a lot of stipulations

should I just get a new compuer?

Probably not although it might depend on a couple more things.
1. Whats the budget
2. When is the next time you plan to upgrade? Will it be a serious upgrade or a "lite" upgrade
3. What kind of performance do you need NOW

 

[jesbax]

lot of it is dependes on were you buy your stuff. If you buy your stuff on the web combos is not the way to go. Now at a local dealer you will have better chance of geting better deals. it all depends on where you go.

 

[Horatio]

2.8 GHz should be fast enough. You would need a new mother board for FSB matching.

 

[Praetor]

Now at a local dealer you will have better chance of geting better deals. it all depends on where you go.

Often local deals dont deal that "combo crap" -- and before you start pulling links left and right, there are two different types of combos:
- Combo 1: The chip is physically soldered to the socket and the cpu fan is permanently attatched to the mobo/cpu. This is more common with online sales... if i ever find a store that does this ill yell at them
- Combo 2: You buy a board and a chip and a fan, they put it all together (on the board) and give you a discount. This is common. Even then, you can usually do better yourself.