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General discussion

Processor upgrade

Jul 14, 2004 7:23PM PDT

I have an old Compaq Presario that I like but it is slow - Intel Celeron processoe 431 MHz. I see where I can buy an Intel Pentium 3, 1.8 for about a hundred bucks. My question is "How feasible, how difficult is it to change out a processor?". Is it just a matter of taking the old one out and slappin' the new one in or is more complicated than that? Thanks

Discussion is locked

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Re: Processor upgrade
Jul 14, 2004 11:05PM PDT

In short, the likelyhood that the new CPU will just plug in and work is about zero. The machine in question has a BIOS that must support the new CPU, the power supply on the machine and motherboard must supply enough power for the new CPU and all the parts must fit.

Compaq makes a lot of ready to use machines with little room or support for such an upgrade.

You, as the upgrader would know arcane things such as FSB speeds, socket types, heatsink size and clearances and more. If not, then it's unlikely this will work.

Bob

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Re: Processor upgrade
Jul 14, 2004 11:50PM PDT

jtx,

Bob's right. I doubt that you'd have any luck with that processor. If you really want to upgrade your proc, consider going to Power Leap and see if they have a plug in proc upgrade kit that may work. You'll also need to determine FIRST if a BIOS upgrade is 1)necessary, and 2)available.

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Re: Processor upgrade
Jul 15, 2004 2:12AM PDT

As has been said the hardware upgrade is not much of an option.

Perhaps another approach is to take some of the load off the machine.

Do some SERIOUS house cleaning, be free of all malware, do not run unnecessary programs in the background.

Not that this will make the machine a SCREAMER but it might put a little life into the old clunker. Happy