Looking to Upgrade LGA775 Processor

I've been in the process of upgrading a computer I got from my church for ~$20 a while ago, and I've already purchased a new graphics card (GTX 660). Based on my machine's expected performance on newer games, I came to the conclusion that the CPU needs to be upgraded. It's a Pentium D 945 dual-core at 3.4 GHz, but I think it's the 800 MHz front-side bus that's being the slowpoke.

I looked into the top-performing LGA775 processors, and apparently the top three were the Core 2 Duo E8600 (3.33 GHz dual-core, 6 MB cache, 1333 MHz FSB), the Core 2 Extreme QX9770 (3.2 GHz quad-core, 12 MB cache, 1600 MHz FSB), and the Core 2 Quad Q9650 (3 GHz quad-core, 12 MB cache, 1333 MHz FSB).

The Core 2 Duo is about $50 on eBay, the Extreme is $400 on eBay, and the Quad is $150 on eBay.

I'm not sure which I should go with. I'd want to get the Extreme, but there's no way I'm paying over $200 for it, and the other two seem almost just as good.

Which one should I get, and where should I be looking?

My choice would be the Q9650, that series was quite good in performance as I recall. One caveat is to confirm your BIOS will support it.

If possible a better route would be to buy a newer board and CPU, socket 1155, but you'd be looking at buying some DDR3 memory too though and it would be near $350-$400.

A noble and excellent idea, I extended the useful lifespan of my Socket 775 board by installing a Core 2 Quad 9650 Extreme CPU earlier this year (the X9770 was too expensive).

Unfortunately, if your board is indeed an Intel D945PVS, the Pentium D line is the highest CPU it will support.

See the Supported CPU list here.

The GTX 660 was a good move and probably makes your system the best it's going to be. As mentioned earlier, the next step is to get a new Motherboard, CPU and RAM. That's my next step, too, and I'm putting it off for as long as my current setup will play the games I want to play.


Kent

Agree with the above. You can upgrade only so much before moving up a generation

Yes, the Extreme is a coveted chip, I had the C2 Duo E8600 and I easily OC`d it to 3.8 on my XFX 750i before I sold it. The Quad would be a fine choice for the money.

The QX9650 is the chip you want.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115034

But as mentioned your Motherboard has to support any chip you choose.

1st you need to get the exact make and model of the MB, then google it to find the specs to see what cpu`s it supports.

Core 2 Extreme < Core 2 Quad

TheShadbusher said:

Which one should I get, and where should I be looking?

I hate to burst your bubble but:

Intel® Desktop Board D945PVS &mdash; Supported processors

That board WILL NOT support any core2 duo cpu. DON'T buy any. You'll only waste your money.

As far as CPU's go what you've got is about as good as it gets.

Unfortunately the Pentium D range are very slow CPUS. Adding the new card was about the only thing you could have done.

After looking over the list Kent found, you will not be able to do any cpu upgrading, start saving for a new MB and CPU.

Other then updating the GPU, which you`ve already done, there`s nothing more you can do with that board.

Britton30 said:

My choice would be the Q9650, that series was quite good in performance as I recall. One caveat is to confirm your BIOS will support it.

If possible a better route would be to buy a newer board and CPU, socket 1155, but you'd be looking at buying some DDR3 memory too though and it would be near $350-$400.

I have one of these in my tester top little core and yes I only found one when I thought I had busted it and it was $380!!:)

Assuming I don't really care about USB 3.0, could I just get another ATX motherboard, and a CPU and RAM for it, and keep the case and all other components?

And what exactly is preventing my current motherboard from supporting the Core 2s? Lack of BIOs support? Can't handle the higher FSB speeds?