Upgrading CPU, any problems?

Rlad78

Rlad78

New Member
I built this computer, but other than that I don't know that much about how the parts really work. Here's my build right now. (courtesy of Speccy)

MS Windows 7 Ultimate 32-Bit
Intel Celeron E1200 1.6GHz
2.0GB Dual Channel DDR2 401MHz
ASUSTeK Computer INC - P5K SE/EPU
512MB GeForce 8800 GT (EVGA)
160GB and 100GB (slave) hard drives

I'm gonna upgrade to a Intel Pentium 4 3.2GHz. Yes, I've checked to make sure the CPU is able to run on my motherboard, but I'm not sure if the CPU will flow well with my other components or if I need more RAM. Also my case apparently doesn't have good ventilation or the fan isn't working properly because the CPU is at 72 C when running Google Chrome, Speccy, and Digsby (Instant Messenger).

By the way, I'm getting the CPU from Ebay. Will the number of years it has been in use affect it's performance that greatly?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.
 
that is way too hot for a cpu just doing simple tasks! if this new one gets nearly that, you'll have to invest a little in a new heatsink/fan or just find a way to improve airflow in your case.
no you shouldn't need more ram. the performance shouldn't be affected by age but you won't get the same number of years out of it that you would if you bought new (obviously). overall you should see a good improvement in your system. you could perhaps think about getting maybe a dual core cpu instead though :rolleyes:
 
joh06937 said:
that is way too hot for a cpu just doing simple tasks! if this new one gets nearly that, you'll have to invest a little in a new heatsink/fan or just find a way to improve airflow in your case.
no you shouldn't need more ram. the performance shouldn't be affected by age but you won't get the same number of years out of it that you would if you bought new (obviously). overall you should see a good improvement in your system. you could perhaps think about getting maybe a dual core cpu instead though :rolleyes:
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Also may have forgot to mention that Graphics card is at 74 C and CPU is at 76 C with nothing now but Google Chrome running now.

I mean, the case fan works. Is there a way to speed it up or something? I don't really see how that would do any good though considering I have it sideways with the case open. The only thing I can think of is that it usually is pretty hot in this room since I have 2 computers and an Xbox, but only up by one or two degrees of our normal house temp of 73.

Here's some pics of my comp. If you need any specific spots I can take them really fast (btw Lewis Black is awesome):

http://s217.photobucket.com/albums/cc292/ChipzMaster/?action=view&current=P4210373.jpg
http://s217.photobucket.com/albums/cc292/ChipzMaster/?action=view&current=P4210374.jpg
http://s217.photobucket.com/albums/cc292/ChipzMaster/?action=view&current=P4210375.jpg
 
cable management can really inhibit the airflow in a case. are you saying the case is always on its side with no side panel like in the picture?
that heatsink looks pretty dusty. give it a good cleaning. also, do you have any thermal paste? when you put in a new heatsink you need to MAKE SURE you clean off the old thermal paste on the heatsink and cpu and apply new stuff. that and a cleaning of the heatsink should help lower temps for the cpu.
do you ever do any gaming that works the gpu at all? if so, what temps do you get?
 
joh06937 said:
cable management can really inhibit the airflow in a case. are you saying the case is always on its side with no side panel like in the picture?
that heatsink looks pretty dusty. give it a good cleaning. also, do you have any thermal paste? when you put in a new heatsink you need to MAKE SURE you clean off the old thermal paste on the heatsink and cpu and apply new stuff. that and a cleaning of the heatsink should help lower temps for the cpu.
do you ever do any gaming that works the gpu at all? if so, what temps do you get?
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I'm thinking cable management might be the problem. I leave it on its side so that the heat will rise out.

Uh, thermal paste? Never applied that in the beginning, or I don't remember it...

I used to play some games back before I got the xbox. Mass Effect, Crysis, they all ran fine. Nowadays I can barely get them to run at all. Would the cable clutter explain the Graphic card heat and the lack of thermal paste explain the CPU heat?
 
If the processor's running that hot, you probably have some problem with the heatsink, such as it not being mounted properly. Also, what P4 are you looking at specifically? All that I see, the lil Cele is equal or outperforms the P4.
 
Intel Celeron E1200 to Intel Pentium 4?? Is it a upgrade or downgrade??

You can overclock E1200...
What is your budget?
 
daisymtc said:
Intel Celeron E1200 to Intel Pentium 4?? Is it a upgrade or downgrade??

You can overclock E1200...
What is your budget?
Click to expand...

Is there something I'm missing here? I didn't think there was any other way to compare processors besides their GHz. The safest I could overclock my Celeron was 1.8GHz, and there was literally no improvement.

What is the price range if I really want to upgrade it?

Edit: I had got it to 2.2GHz about a year ago. That's when I could play Mass Effect and Crysis, but I can't get it to that now. And I am absolutely sure I did not apply thermal paste to the cpu. I'm gonna go buy some as soon as I can.

And Would an Intel Pentium D 2.8GHz Dual Core be better the the Pentium 4?
 
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daisymtc said:
The achitecture of E1200 is different to P4. You can't compare apple to orange with GHz.
And even running at stock, E1200 is faster than P4 and PD
http://www.cpubenchmark.net/cpu_list.php

While for you upgrade, these are the one you should after
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...E&N=2010340343 1051707842&bop=And&Order=PRICE
Click to expand...

The E3300 and the E6300 are the two cheapest of those that are supported by my motherboard. Will the E3300 be that big of an increase?
 
doesnt the stock heat sink already have the thermal paste on? thats why he might not think he had any on it because you dont have to put it on yourself :)
 
louism92 said:
doesnt the stock heat sink already have the thermal paste on? thats why he might not think he had any on it because you dont have to put it on yourself :)
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...what...

So now I still don't know why my cpu is running at such high temps?

Please, somebody tell me this isn't right...

Is there some way to check if I have thermal paste on there?
 
Rlad78 said:
...what...

So now I still don't know why my cpu is running at such high temps?

Please, somebody tell me this isn't right...

Is there some way to check if I have thermal paste on there?
Click to expand...

pull the heatsink off :rolleyes: you could probably get away with just pulling it off and putting it back on without applying new paste.
 
joh06937 said:
pull the heatsink off :rolleyes: you could probably get away with just pulling it off and putting it back on without applying new paste.
Click to expand...

Yeah, it's not on there.

So, would the E3300 be that much of an upgrade from my E1200? Or should I go for the E6300?
 
Rlad78 said:
Yeah, it's not on there.

So, would the E3300 be that much of an upgrade from my E1200? Or should I go for the E6300?
Click to expand...

rofl-jpg.png
 
At the very least I would put some thermal compound if you are going to continue to use that computer at all. And clean that computer up! Wow, cable management is a must dude. And all that dust, you've got to keep things cleaner than that; the CPU and PSU are nasty.

Also, once you have that computer up and running again (new CPU or not), put the side back on the case for better airflow. If it were my computer, I would also cut a hold in the side panel about where the graphics card is for a small inlet fan.
 
gamblingman said:
At the very least I would put some thermal compound if you are going to continue to use that computer at all. And clean that computer up! Wow, cable management is a must dude. And all that dust, you've got to keep things cleaner than that; the CPU and PSU are nasty.

Also, once you have that computer up and running again (new CPU or not), put the side back on the case for better airflow. If it were my computer, I would also cut a hold in the side panel about where the graphics card is for a small inlet fan.
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Most of the cable mess are the black power cables, half of which I don't use but can't get rid of since they're all attached to each other.

I'm gonna buy some thermal paste as soon as possible, but the CPU I'm thinking of buying has thermal paste included.

So I need this question answered: Will the Intel Celeron E3300 Wolfdale 2.5GHz be an substantial improvement from my current Intel Celeron E1200 1.6GHz?

Edit: I don't know how, but some how the graphics card temp is 56 C since an hour ago. Don't know what I did when I was pulling off the cpu fan, but I guess it worked...
Edit2: Nope, back up to 77 C. Will cutting a hole in the case near the graphics card really reduce the heat? I don't really know what else would.
 
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