[mxmad32]

Right first of all i am a complete idiot when it comes to computer hardware, so please dont take the piss or whatever if i ask a stupid question. Anyway...... My PC is currently at 333mhz processing speed, i want to upgrade it but i dont really know where to start. Do i need a new motherboard to upgrade it? or can i just buy a new processor? And how do i know which ones will be compatible? And is it easy to upgrade like just plug in and go?

Thanks

[SocialWarfare]

If you fill in your profile specs I will try to help you further, but at the moment I am clueless as to what kinda system you have(well 65% clueless)

Edit: If you are unsure of what kind of comp you have you can download Everest from the download section here and that will tell you all your specs

[mxmad32]

Updated my profile, just noticed when i go onto everest and go to CPU it says AMD Athlon XP 2083Mhz???? Does that mean it is actually 2083mhz processing speed? As it says 333mhz on the start up screen?!?

[Krlll]

333Mhz is the Bus speed.
The fastest Socket A CPU you can get is I guess the XP 3200 Barton Core.
This CPU is pretty expensive though,about £60 on eBay(thats when they are available.)
Changing a CPU is pretty straight forward if you can follow instructions but it is not to be taken lightly.
Your PC is pretty old,the graphics card is ancient and the amount of ram(256MB)really is the bare minimum for XP.
Maybe buying a mother board kit(CPU+Motherboard) would be an easier/better option.
Look at this for an Example.
Quadruple the amount of ram you have now,a far better processor and a new motherboard,all for a little more than the price that some people want for just a new CPU!

[SocialWarfare]

Yeah its a 2.1Ghz processor, the 2600+ that is what I used when I built my first computer

333mhz is what your FSB(front side bus) is running at
I think the best CPU you can buy for that motherboard is a 3400+ which is only running at 2.4Ghz(I think) so not much of an increase
Your motherboard supports SocketA(462) processors, you can check around for that type and most of those should be supported

I am not sure what you use your comp for but I do think your best bet would be to upgrade the whole thing

[mxmad32]

Well i want to use the PC for gaming mostly, so if i was looking for a new motherboard+processor then what would i need to look for to ensure that its compatible with my PC? Could you post a few links of some not to expensive (under 80) and preferably not ebay.

Thanks

[SocialWarfare]

No matter if you choose to upgrade what you have or buy parts for a newer system you will need to spend more money than that, what type of games do you play because you graphics card is the most dated part of your current system

If you buy a new mobo+cpu you are going to have to buy new ram and a new graphics card aswell(maybe more)

[mxmad32]

In your personal opinion do you thinks its worth upgrading the motherboard and/or processor? Or should i just upgrade the ram and graphics card?

[Krlll]

If you want it for gaming then upgrade everything.
Whats the problem with eBay?That link I gave you is a bargain.Just add a half decent graphics card and you will have a good mid range gaming PC.

[mxmad32]

Originally Posted by Krlll If you want it for gaming then upgrade everything. Whats the problem with eBay?That link I gave you is a bargain.Just add a half decent graphics card and you will have a good mid range gaming PC.

I have no problem with ebay its just i dont have the money just yet, and by the time i do the listing would probably have ended..