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Looking to upgrade the CPU only.

viperfx

viperfx

viperfx

Associate
Joined
8 Nov 2008
Posts
121
hi, im finding that my CPU is always the component that seems to be lacking on my system. It is a custom built system, all the parts are actually bought from OCUK. Im happy with my system, it suits my needs and was very cheap, however i think an upgrade is needed.

Here are the specs:
Cpu: Pentium(R) Dual-Core CPU E5200 @ 2.50GHz, Socket 775 LGA
Mobo:EP43-DS3L
Chipset:
Northbridgem - Intel P45/P43/G45/G43 rev. A2
Southbridge - Intel 82801JR (ICH10R) rev. 00
GPU: NVIDIA GeForce 9800 GT
OS: Windows 7

I would appreciate some advice please on what is a good CPU to upgrade to that will be compatible with my system.
Thanks.
 
My budget is about 100 pounds really, give or take about 20 pounds maybe. I find the performance lacking not in the general use of the system, but when I do minimum requirements for games. For example I just did a requirements test at canyourunit. It says that the only component that failed for the recommended requirements is the CPU, and the minimum requirements fails for the new call of duty.
RJC I have looked at that list, and I would be happy with any of the top 1/4 - 1/2 of the list.
The Q6600 would cost more than £100 wouldnt it?

The reason I do not overclock is because I only have a stock fan, and im scared I might end up frying the CPU or something extreme like that - im sure that is quite unlikely to happen?
Is there some programs I can use to show you what sort of temperatures and speeds the CPU is running at, so that you may see if it is actually safe for me to overclock the CPU?

I downloaded the gigabyte mobo utility program, maybe I can show some screens from that. I may have pressed some button without knowing really what they do - however I dont think I changed anything major. (The last screen is what im worried about the CPU fan always shows red - and I dont understand what is it exactly).

2aaB.jpg

2aaE.jpg

2aaG.jpg

2aaI.jpg

Thanks for the quick reply.
 
Here are the screen shots, ok il have a look at the temps using the programs you suggested. - I seem to be missing the SPD section :confused:

2anG.jpg


Thanks.
 
I have a python script doing the Fibonacci sequence which takes like 50% of the CPU already. no harm to run it all right? :)
VID = 1.2125v
I will leave the tests running and post the results soon!
Thanks again
 
Ok sounds good. Also - I accidentally clicked reset min/max while I was doing the stress test - so im going to have to wait til the test finished - if it ever does?

here is what is happening so far
2aqC.jpg


haha you have caught on sir! Well yea my friend did build it for me, I helped :) He showed me where everything goes and how to replace. However I did not want to overclock it at the time, since I was quite happy with how it was doing.
 
Wow haha. I will tell him this, see what he has to say :D
Ok il give my pc a reboot - poor thing its still doing the fibonacci sequence on the number 18 still working hard to get it :D it has been over 10 mins - Think its crased.

Il check the bios and I will see if i can muster up some courage to take a peek inside and have a look at these pesky heatsinks.
 
Ok I went into BIOS and changed it to optimized defaults. There was a slight hickup where windows kept saying it failed to start - so im not sure if that is related or not.

Anyways im doing the tests now. Seems to be going well i think.
2ata.jpg
 
Ok done!

Is there any more pictures to guide me for the heatsink. I did have a look while i was swapping the ram stock. There was a lot of dust built up on it, and the components around were quite warm. I did push it but the mobo did not feel too steady.
heres the latest screen.

3329it4.jpg
 
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Im really unsure if the heatsink is in or not, because I pushed it pretty hard against the mobo and it still wouldn't click (There are two pins that seem to click into place and two that dont). I went back and did the stress test, the Core speed was 1900 and multi was x9.5 and the temp was reaching nearly 80 degrees, so im pretty sure i made it worse :(

Thanks for the help so far, do you think i should consider buying a new heatsink so i can overclock?
 
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My case is the antec 300. Some screw are missing from the mobo it is quite "wobbly". I need to get that fixed first. I honestly cant fit the two push pins of the stock cooler anymore, they just dont click. Shall i try removing the mobo and doing it?
 
Yea I did exactly this yesterday however there are two pins to the side that go in but the two pins opposite that just wont, its like the case is blocking the black pin from being pushed down onto it. I dont think I have enough force to dent a hole in a case.

I may need to buy the heatsink, honestly dont mind because it is fairly cheap and it may be a worthy investment and also so i dont break my thumbs.

The thermal paste is pretty dry and not every bit is covered, also the stock cooler in your picture is slightly different to mine - mine does not have a metal case connecting all the push pins.

I will give it one more try but honestly it feels like im trying to dent a hole in the case or something.
 
managed to get 3/4 pegs definitely clicked inside.
Shall i do a stress test?
Yea I removed the heatsink completly, there is no damage to the pegs.
 
Martini1991 said:
You really need all 4 to ensure you've got even pressure.
Click to expand...

I cannot push the last one in. Its just not clicking in... or moving at all. It might be stuck or something - Also its always the same hole that wont fit in.
No matter how i rotate the cooler and push the pins in, the same hole at the top wont go into place, and so wont click properly.
 
Well I think he wants me to test out what i can squeeze out of this component, and I honestly don't mind doing that. I also understand that without the 4th pin in place im not getting the most out of the cooler. So I would happily buy a 3rd party heatsink.

Is there a recommended one for the antec 300? (as in one that fits). I mean i thought my case was big, but these heatsinks look huge.

Thanks
 
Big.Wayne said:
I don't see how the case can block it? :confused: . . . the board should be sitting on several case stand-offs that raise the PCB away from the case floor . . . your making it sound like the mobo is sitting against the case side?



You said the same hole is always impossible to fit? . . . did you always leave this hole to last or did you attempt to push the pin down in this hole first?
Click to expand...

Well I tried to do it last and first, just not going in really. Il try again.
 
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