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I have an E2140 & P35C-DS3R - what's my best CPU upgrade option for an all-round CPU

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Caporegime
Joined
13 May 2003
Posts
34,564
Location
Warwickshire
Hello all

I'm currently running an E2140 at 3 GHz and am looking for a new CPU to handle a variety of tasks - gaming, Photoshop, video encoding with ConvertXtoDVD, HD video viewing, and all-round media / office use.

The main reasons that I want a new CPU are that I've noticed the CPU struggling a bit in modern games with some juddering in certain places, it takes an age to encode video, and I'm upgrading my display to 24". The framerates themselves are ok at the resolutions I run (currently 1440 x 900) and I'm happy with the GPU for the moment.

I just want a good all-rounder for a family PC that can do a bit of everything well, and I want to prolong the life of my system before the CPUs it can accommodate start disappearing from retailers' shelves. What's my best upgrade without having to upgrade the motherboard? Call the budget £100, but more or less is possible.

Recommendations please? Thanks.
 
Thanks both.

jaybee - was a Q6600 the most modern CPU that a P35 board could handle? Are there any chips from the following 'generation' that would work in it? Would the Wolfdale or Yorkfield range work, or is the value still in the Q6600s?

rjkoneill - not entirely out of the question, since I'm considering building an HTPC when our new TV arrives and I could use my current gear for that. However I don't plan to do that quite yet, so I at least need a stop-gap chip. My current system I assume would be pretty ideal as an HTPC. I'd get a fanless 9600 or something for the HTPC and keep the 8800GT as the gaming card. I'll look towards the quads in any case.
 
Thanks guys.

I'll get on the lookout for a second hand Q6600 I think.

And thanks pastymuncher for the helpful info re: compatability.
 
Thanks all, I will indeed keep you posted.

Time to start the hunt for a second hand Q6600. If unsuccessful, I'll start looking at a new Q8***s.

Edit: blimey, the Q6600s are all going for £100.
 
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