Can I upgrade my HP? - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Wingless · 10-20-2004, 06:24 PM

I have my 3-4 yaer old HP Pavilion with a P3 650 MHz processor. I've upgraded the RAM, added and removed drives, added and removed PCI cards as necessary, and this machine has served me well during the whole time. Now I'm wondering if I can upgrade the processor to a faster P3, and if possible, 1) how do I do it, and 2) where can I get one (I'm assuming since the P3 is a bit older, the processors are cheaper...) Thanks!

Flyguy · 10-20-2004, 06:36 PM

Do what I did, I took my old 600Mhz HP, yanked out the HD, CD-ROM, CD-RW, floppy, and bought a barebones kit for $200. Came with the case, MOBO, XP 2500+, power supply, and 512K DDR 333. Here's my current setup:

ASUS M7NCD MOBO - Nvidia Nforce 2 400 chipset
AMD XP 2500+
Ultra 512 DDR 333Mhz (512 more on the way)
30GB 7200 RPM HD (200 GB drive on the way too)
Dual CD-ROM R/W
onboard AC 97 audio
ASUS 128MB ATI Raedon 9200
18" monitor (don't care for flat screens they cost too much for too little screen)
400W power supply
standard mouse & keyboard
Windows XP SP2
Office XP
Winamp 5.05 for my internet radio listening pleasure

Got the barebones kit from tigerdirect. Have fun!

Wingless · 10-20-2004, 06:44 PM

See I'd do that, but that $200 for me is going into my Carputer project

bitrunner · 10-20-2004, 07:01 PM

Check ebay, good place to find old processers. Also check what kind of P3 you have slot one or socket 370. And your mobo/bios may or may not be able to handle the faster P3's. If it were me I'd look for a used AMD processer and mobo. Of course that depends on my kind of memory you have..

NeoRete · 10-20-2004, 07:38 PM

I agree with bitrunner in that you might be better served in getting an newer AMD motherboard and processor to replace what you have - but to give you another option, NewEgg has a 1.13 GHz processor for $44 US +s&h (http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...114-163&depa=0). It is a socket 370, so make sure that it matches your motherboard.

bitrunner · 10-20-2004, 07:48 PM

Also have a look at http://www.compgeeks.com/products.asp?cat=CPU they sell old processers. But as cheap as Athlons are, it might just be cheaper (and faster).

rapjo · 10-20-2004, 09:10 PM

I'd also suggest http://www.pricewatch.com/ for components. Its an index of many stores and lists old and new components. Only thing to watch out for is sometimes things get listen in the wrong catagories, but generally a very useful site.

Btw, for about maybe as little as 300 bucks, you could put together a nice Athlon 64 combo (2800+, any old Ath64 mobo, 512 MB PC 3200 DDR RAM)

NeoRete · 10-21-2004, 08:39 AM

If you do use pricewatch, make sure that the reseller is reputable first by checking http://www.resellerratings.com . According to what I've seen, many of the lowest-priced stores will take your money and not send anything in return, or a cheap incorrect product.

westothemax · 10-23-2004, 09:27 PM

Look around your local computer stores, thrift stores, etc basically anyone who takes in older computers. You can find some old but good stuff and usually cheap.

You can probably find out about the upgradability of your HP if you search Google for the model number. Or see if you can find your motherboard model - most HP motherboards are unlabeled but I've seen a few HPs with ASUS boards in them. Look up the model number of the board and it should tell you what the fastest processor it supports is.

10-20-2004, 06:24 PM	#1 (permalink)
Wingless Psycho Location: Metro Detroit, Mich, USA	Can I upgrade my HP? I have my 3-4 yaer old HP Pavilion with a P3 650 MHz processor. I've upgraded the RAM, added and removed drives, added and removed PCI cards as necessary, and this machine has served me well during the whole time. Now I'm wondering if I can upgrade the processor to a faster P3, and if possible, 1) how do I do it, and 2) where can I get one (I'm assuming since the P3 is a bit older, the processors are cheaper...) Thanks! __________________ Tommy Nibs is a funny word. So here I am, above palm trees, so straight and tall... You are, smaller getting smaller, but I still see... you. Jimmy Eat World - Goodbye Sky Harbor

10-20-2004, 06:44 PM	#3 (permalink)
Wingless Psycho Location: Metro Detroit, Mich, USA	See I'd do that, but that $200 for me is going into my Carputer project __________________ Tommy Nibs is a funny word. So here I am, above palm trees, so straight and tall... You are, smaller getting smaller, but I still see... you. Jimmy Eat World - Goodbye Sky Harbor

10-20-2004, 07:38 PM	#5 (permalink)
NeoRete Crazy Location: Cape Cod	I agree with bitrunner in that you might be better served in getting an newer AMD motherboard and processor to replace what you have - but to give you another option, NewEgg has a 1.13 GHz processor for $44 US +s&h (http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...114-163&depa=0). It is a socket 370, so make sure that it matches your motherboard. __________________ Charlie was a chemist but Charlie is nomore, what Charlie thought was H2O was H2SO4

10-21-2004, 08:39 AM	#8 (permalink)
NeoRete Crazy Location: Cape Cod	If you do use pricewatch, make sure that the reseller is reputable first by checking http://www.resellerratings.com . According to what I've seen, many of the lowest-priced stores will take your money and not send anything in return, or a cheap incorrect product. __________________ Charlie was a chemist but Charlie is nomore, what Charlie thought was H2O was H2SO4

10-20-2004, 06:36 PM	#2 (permalink)
Flyguy Banned Location: Swooping down on you from above....	Do what I did, I took my old 600Mhz HP, yanked out the HD, CD-ROM, CD-RW, floppy, and bought a barebones kit for $200. Came with the case, MOBO, XP 2500+, power supply, and 512K DDR 333. Here's my current setup: ASUS M7NCD MOBO - Nvidia Nforce 2 400 chipset AMD XP 2500+ Ultra 512 DDR 333Mhz (512 more on the way) 30GB 7200 RPM HD (200 GB drive on the way too) Dual CD-ROM R/W onboard AC 97 audio ASUS 128MB ATI Raedon 9200 18" monitor (don't care for flat screens they cost too much for too little screen) 400W power supply standard mouse & keyboard Windows XP SP2 Office XP Winamp 5.05 for my internet radio listening pleasure Got the barebones kit from tigerdirect. Have fun!

10-20-2004, 07:01 PM	#4 (permalink)
bitrunner Crazy Location: Ohio	Check ebay, good place to find old processers. Also check what kind of P3 you have slot one or socket 370. And your mobo/bios may or may not be able to handle the faster P3's. If it were me I'd look for a used AMD processer and mobo. Of course that depends on my kind of memory you have..

10-20-2004, 07:48 PM	#6 (permalink)
bitrunner Crazy Location: Ohio	Also have a look at http://www.compgeeks.com/products.asp?cat=CPU they sell old processers. But as cheap as Athlons are, it might just be cheaper (and faster).

10-20-2004, 09:10 PM	#7 (permalink)
rapjo Upright	I'd also suggest http://www.pricewatch.com/ for components. Its an index of many stores and lists old and new components. Only thing to watch out for is sometimes things get listen in the wrong catagories, but generally a very useful site. Btw, for about maybe as little as 300 bucks, you could put together a nice Athlon 64 combo (2800+, any old Ath64 mobo, 512 MB PC 3200 DDR RAM)

10-23-2004, 09:27 PM	#9 (permalink)
westothemax Insane Location: Bay Area	Look around your local computer stores, thrift stores, etc basically anyone who takes in older computers. You can find some old but good stuff and usually cheap. You can probably find out about the upgradability of your HP if you search Google for the model number. Or see if you can find your motherboard model - most HP motherboards are unlabeled but I've seen a few HPs with ASUS boards in them. Look up the model number of the board and it should tell you what the fastest processor it supports is.