[rpiopio]

I've got a 5 year old computer that runs fine but I'm interested in bumping up its performance since we have 1000's of pics and searching through them while doing other things seems to be taking longer to process. I've already doubled the size of my HD so there's plenty of space and maxed my RAM so all else being equal, would I notice a difference in performance if I upgrade the chip from the processor it came with:

Pentium dual core E2180: 2 Ghz / 800 FSB / 1 mb L2 cash

To this:

Core 2 Duo E8500 3.16 Ghz / 1.333 Mhz FSB / 6 MB L2 cache

My motherboard will only allow certain intel chips:
*Intel Core 2 Duo E4x00 up to E4400,
*Intel Core 2 Duo E6x00 up to E6700
*Intel Core 2 Duo E8xxxx
*Intel Core 2 Quad up to Q6600
*Intel Core 2 Quad Q9xxx

The Core 2 Duo 8500 I want to upgrade to is $144 and I'm trying to spend under $150. I know these are all old chips, but I'm new to tinkering so would I even notice a significant difference in how it runs? Thanks computer wizards.

[My335iTT]

You also need to focus on RAM and if you already maxed it out I would just save a bit more and buy a new computer. You can get some niiiiice desktops for under $500

[ragingclue]

Is your CPU your only bottleneck in the tasks which make you think you need an upgrade?

The Q6600 is very friendly and OCable as far as the 775 chips go. I had two different builds with E8400 E0 stepping CPUs and those are also very friendly to OC. You need to determine first whether you can benefit from a quad core based on what you do with the computer.

Once you upgrade the proc, you will most likely be bottlenecked by other components at that point anyway, so you don't need anything killer. A 6600, 8400, or 8500 should all be fine.

What is it you use the computer for, what exactly are you trying to rectify, and what are the other components (mobo chipset, RAM size/speed/latency, etc...).

[rpiopio]

Originally Posted by My335iTT

You also need to focus on RAM and if you already maxed it out I would just save a bit more and buy a new computer. You can get some niiiiice desktops for under $500

But I lose the tinkering/learning curve factor if I just buy a new one...Eventually, I'd like to build my own computer, but thought I'd take some baby steps. I've swapped out my HD and upgraded my RAM from 3 to 8 which is my mobo's max. To me the next logical step is installing a new chip.

[rpiopio]

Originally Posted by ragingclue

Is your CPU your only bottleneck in the tasks which make you think you need an upgrade?

The Q6600 is very friendly and OCable as far as the 775 chips go. I had two different builds with E8400 E0 stepping CPUs and those are also very friendly to OC. You need to determine first whether you can benefit from a quad core based on what you do with the computer.

Once you upgrade the proc, you will most likely be bottlenecked by other components at that point anyway, so you don't need anything killer. A 6600, 8400, or 8500 should all be fine.

What is it you use the computer for, what exactly are you trying to rectify, and what are the other components (mobo chipset, RAM size/speed/latency, etc...).

I think it's my CPU because the resource monitor says it's almost always running 100% (Is that even a good way to check?). The computer is mainly for a home office but is also our main PC. So MS office work, surfing BMW forums, and storing and reviewing pics. We don't use it for gaming or anything. We just have a TON of pics and videos that we play around with (photoshop, light video editing). Nothing near professional, simply recreational.

I want to upgrade for two main reasons,

1) to Tinker to get my feet wet with more critical computer upgrades

2) Increase its performance as it seems to be taking longer to start bigger programs while multitasking.

[ragingclue]

Hmm not sure if the video editing would benefit from the quad over the dual considering the supporting hardware.... It probably won't matter but I'm not 100% sure. Considering you don't game or do anything incredibly intensive, and you aren't upgrading anything else, I'd say get an E8400 E0 and spend a few bucks on a good CPU heatsink since that component will have to be installed as well. Or if you feel you need the quad, get a 6600 and a heatsink.

Either way, ditch the stock HS. IMO of course.

[rpiopio]

Thanks RC. One more question. In your earlier comments, you said "OCable" and "OC". What does OC stand for? I'm sure I'll slap my forehead when you tell me, but I can't figure it out.

[san~man]

Your processor shouldnt be running 100% all the time. Download "startup inspector" so you can disable the crap you don't need running and you should speed up

[san~man]

Originally Posted by rpiopio

Thanks RC. One more question. In your earlier comments, you said "OCable" and "OC". What does OC stand for? I'm sure I'll slap my forehead when you tell me, but I can't figure it out.

Overclock / overclock'able

[rpiopio]

Originally Posted by san~man

Your processor shouldnt be running 100% all the time. Download "startup inspector" so you can disable the crap you don't need running and you should speed up

Thanks. I'll take a look tonight. Any other software cleanup utilities you can recommend?

[ragingclue]

Originally Posted by san~man

Overclock / overclock'able

Thanks.

Yeah sorry I was in a bit of a hurry. I don't know if you (OP) plan to overclock, but if you're trying to get into tinkering and everything, overclocking can be kinda fun. Depends on your mobo just as much as your proc though, probably more. So if you don't have an OC friendly mobo (i.e. an OEM), then don't bother looking into it.

I would however recommend a clean install of Windoze if it's not too much trouble. If not, that's cool too, but you're probably experiencing a lot of unnecessary load and it can sometimes be easier to just to a wipe and reinstall as opposed to hunting everything down.

[skypx]

Originally Posted by rpiopio

I've got a 5 year old computer that runs fine but I'm interested in bumping up its performance since we have 1000's of pics and searching through them while doing other things seems to be taking longer to process. I've already doubled the size of my HD so there's plenty of space and maxed my RAM so all else being equal, would I notice a difference in performance if I upgrade the chip from the processor it came with:

Pentium dual core E2180: 2 Ghz / 800 FSB / 1 mb L2 cash

To this:

Core 2 Duo E8500 3.16 Ghz / 1.333 Mhz FSB / 6 MB L2 cache

My motherboard will only allow certain intel chips:
*Intel Core 2 Duo E4x00 up to E4400,
*Intel Core 2 Duo E6x00 up to E6700
*Intel Core 2 Duo E8xxxx
*Intel Core 2 Quad up to Q6600
*Intel Core 2 Quad Q9xxx

The Core 2 Duo 8500 I want to upgrade to is $144 and I'm trying to spend under $150. I know these are all old chips, but I'm new to tinkering so would I even notice a significant difference in how it runs? Thanks computer wizards.

Originally Posted by ragingclue

I would however recommend a clean install of Windoze if it's not too much trouble. If not, that's cool too, but you're probably experiencing a lot of unnecessary load and it can sometimes be easier to just to a wipe and reinstall as opposed to hunting everything down.

I highly recommend re-installing windows. If you are not using windows 7 get it (more efficient OS). The rationale behind this is if the computer has been running for 30-40 minutes and you are at the desktop with all programs closed, and the cpu is at 100%, I'm thinking virus, botnet etc. Easy to fix for someone with experience but a pain for a novice.

I also recommend getting a solid-state drive (SSD). This will be the most noticeable bump in speed of any possible upgraded component. Good luck.