Hello DAL,
I was wondering if anyone could help me with finding a new CPU and Motherboard. Nothings wrong I just want more POWEH! MY CPU is maxing out most of the time when using multiple windows. From my understanding, my motherboard is not dual core and up compatible. Currently I have a Single core/Hyperthreading @ 3.46Ghz. I believe the best single core is 3.7Ghz which isn't going to help much.



Same Pic if ^ didn't work: http://img24.imageshack.us/img24/2264/cpuzna.png

I'm wanting to stay with my Dell XPS Gen4 case, just replace the board and CPU. I don't have the slightest clue on how to match a board to a CPU and to a case, so I'm here . But considering my PSU, I don't know if it will push all the new hardware plus a better gfx card down the line. What would you suggest? I would like to keep the under $250, but the cheaper the better.

D-A-L Computer Hardware Scan Results

Thanks much,

But considering my PSU...

I would, but you didn't tell us about it. That might need to be your first purchase, once you decide on everything else.

What about RAM? Most new motherboards now support DDR3 - you probably will not be able to carry your DDR2 over.

Also note that a new motherboard is considered a new computer as far as the terms of your Windows license - unless your copy is a "retail" version you bought at a store. If the copy you have came pre-installed on that Dell, then the license is tied to that Dell supplied hardware, and cannot legally be transfered to the new system.

There are 1000s of CPU/motherboard combinations out there so we can't really help you pick from scratch. I suggest you pick AMD or Intel first, then narrow that down to the CPU, then find a board that will support it. Or pick AMD or Intel, find an AMD or Intel board, then find a CPU the board supports.

Ok Digerati,
My windows is retail, so no problems there. As for the ram, this is what I'm thinking of putting together for this budget build:

main board Newegg.com - Foxconn A76ML-K AM3 Ready / AM2+ / AM2 AMD 760G Micro ATX AMD Motherboard - AMD Motherboards
CPU Newegg.com - AMD Phenom X3 8750 Black Edition Toliman 2.4GHz 3 x 512KB L2 Cache 2MB L3 Cache Socket AM2+ 95W Triple-Core Processor - Processors - Desktops

If I'm correct this is a DDR2 board, so I can transfer my old ram in addition to 2GB's I'm going to add.

I decided to go off of BF BC2 requirements for parts since its a newer game. I'll just take what they stated for minimum specs and beef them up a little.

Minimum Frostbite Engine PC Specifications for BFBC2 & BF1943
Processor: Core 2 Duo @ 2.0GHz
Main memory: 2GB
Graphics card: GeForce 7800 GT / ATI X1900
Graphics memory: 256MB
OS: Windows XP
Free HDD space: 15GB for Digital Version, 10GB for Disc Version [BFBC2], 10GB for Digital Version, 4GB for Disc Version [BF1943]

But before I can decide on other parts. I going to be putting in new gfx card like a 9500 GT for example. Maybe something better if I play my cards right. But I don't know if my current PSU will support it.

9500 GT requirements for power:

Minimum of a 350 Watt power supply.
(Minimum recommended power supply with +12 Volt current rating of 18 Amp Amps.)
Minimum 400 Watt for SLI mode system.
(Minimum recommended power supply with +12 Volt current rating of 22 Amp Amps.)

My PSU:
Dell Inc.
Model-NPS-460-DDR Rev10
Input-100-120V~8.0A
50_60Hz Autoranged
Output-+5~350A~12_8~170A
+12_A~170A~-12V08A
+12_A~170A~-12V~08A

+5VEP~2.0A~+3.3V~40.0A
Combined +5 & +3.3V Output power small not exceed 240W
Max combined output channel current #12.V_A & 12_B
Outputs IS 32A

Can you determine if I have enough "juice" to run a good gfx card?

My PSU isn't like a general box type. If you look at this picture http://www.beststuff.com/images/articles/060605a5.jpg on the tower at the bottom you'll see where it separates. The entire bottom is a PSU and there isn't anywhere to put a PSU inside the case. If my power supply isn't good enough, I'm going to have to consider a new case and power supply first which will set me back a few weeks, if I'm lucky : '[.

My windows is retail, so no problems there.

Good.

I don't really understand those specs for your PSU. The 170A does not make sense to me. Watts is determined by the formula, watts = volts x amperes. So 12 x 170 = 2040 watts and that's not possible. 12 x 32 is 384 and that might be right. A search on the model number says that is a 460W PSU. So it looks like it is fine. As far as a new case and PSU, I would go for it just so you can get away from Dell's use of proprietary and uncommon parts, such as that PSU. You might want to inspect how your current motherboard is mounted. If not with mounting screws, you should get a new case anyway. Also, a better case will offer better cooling - a critical concern.

It looks like you can use your old RAM, but to take advantage of the Dual Channel memory support of the Foxconn (and almost every new mobo), the two sticks have identical characteristics. The new board supports DDR2 1066/800/667. It looks like your old RAM is 533. You should probably budget for 2 new sticks (2 x 2Gb) for 4Gb total.

Thanks Digerati,
The help is much appreciated, I'll post back here when I get the money for the extra parts.

I'll post back here

Sounds like a plan! Keep us posted.

Yo Digerati,
I have another question, go figure :P I'm worried I'm going to purchase a new processor and not get much of an performance increase.

My single core is acting like two. I know dual core is faster, but I don't know if it will be worth my while to purchase one. Should I avoid dual core CPU's?

Should I avoid dual core CPU's?

Avoid them? No. Will you see a big improvement? You will see some - but much still depends on everything else (graphics, RAM, motherboard bus, etc.).

I might suggest you check out Motherboards & Bundles: Motherboards, Bundles by CPU, Bundles by Motherboard, Accessories from mwave.com. Note the bundle options. If you look around there, you will see several CPU/Motherboard combinations that have been tested and proven to work together - that will give you an idea of what to look for. And one thing nice about MWave is for an extra $10, they will mount the CPU and RAM and test them for you - for US buyers anyway.

Nice, thanks.