Upgrading motherboard\CPU - Advice ?

[PapillonIrl]

Ok, I have an AMD Duron 1Ghz with 512MB RAM. I'm running XP and have two hardware profiles, as I need to use the same machine for some other stuff besides audio. I checked out the demo of Samplitude and was really impressed (currently using Cool Edit), but I was getting dropouts in the audio during playback. I think I'll put the music software changeover off for a while and upgrade my system first. Maybe a 2.4-3 Ghz Pentium... anywho...here are my questions:

1: Do I need to change the motherboard as well as the processor ?

2: Could someone recommend a good online supplier of this sort of equipment ?

2: Anything I should avoid\go for in particular ?

Cheers,

pAp

 

[christiaan]

1: Do I need to change the motherboard as well as the processor ?

Depends very much on the mainboard. I have a Duron 1200 myself but my mainboard gives me the possibility to upgrade to a XP2600+. Some can, some can't. Others can go even further.

Soooo, first find out the brand and model of your motherboard and then come back.

 

[Tadpui]

I like motherboards.com. I've bought a couple of motherboards/processors/memory combos from them and they've been good so far.

I especially like their "custom combo creator", where you first select the processor you want and then it only shows you compatible motherboards and memory. Heat sink and fan is included in the price, and you can get a fast core of a computer for just $300 or so, depending on what you select.

Good luck!

 

[PapillonIrl]

Thanks guys. This is my Motherboard apparantly....

AMIBIOS Motherboard Manufacturer Identification
Version 2.0 (06/30/2003) Copyright 2003 American Megatrends, Inc.

This file has recorded information useful in identifying the manufacturer
of this motherboard. The information is listed below:

An AMIBIOS ID String Was Detected:
62-1109-001437-00101111-071595-SiS730S
- ---- ------ ------
| | | |
| | | Chipset/BIOS Info
| | BIOS Build Date
| Manufacturer ID
BIOS ROM Information
AMIBIOS ROM Size: 256 KB
BIOS Build Date: Jul 15 1995
Motherboard Manufacturer Code Detected: 1437 - Hsing Tech Enterprise Co., Ltd.
Please Consults Hsing Tech Enterprise Co., Ltd. for support

Can't find a site for that will tell me what processors this motherboard will accept. Anybody know of anywhere ? I don't really want to buy a new motherboard of possible, or a new power supply. Is it too much to expect to be able to slot a new 2ghz+ chip in ?


Anyway thanks again,

pAp

 

[christiaan]

Aah, PCChips (traced the Manufacturer ID). A motherboard based on the SiS730S chipset.. I expect it to be able to get you in the 2.0+ ballpark since this chipset supports a Front Side Bus (FSB) speed of 266MHz.
From your info it's hard to find the exact model of the motherboard (sorry, you'll have to crack the case open to see what's printed on the motherboard. Or check your manual!!).
But... PCChips.. This brand is typically found in computers where price is more important than performance.

It's a pretty safe bet to say that you're better of replacing it.

 

[PapillonIrl]

It's a pretty safe bet to say that you're better of replacing it.

Looks like it. I think I'll hold out and do a proper upgrade when I have the money. I am wary of voltage diffences in power supplies when ordering from U.S. sites, do you know of a good european online supplier ?

Thanks again either way; that last post clarified my options a lot.

pAp