Jump to content

Upgrading my old Compaq

MeowTony
By MeowTony
in New Builds and Planning
 Share
Posted

I was looking at my computer and I wanted more speed. I got rid of viruses, and wiped the whole thing. It seems like new, but new isn't good enough when it's 2008 new. I found some processors that are compatible, and I want a quad core. I heard some three core'd ones can be unlocked, but not all of them. I don't want to spend more than $40, and my motherboard is a M2N68-LA. I looked it up and I saw two. It's a green one.  http://support.hp.com/us-en/document/c01925534 I'm not sure if it's all compatible and I can't find any that fit my criteria that are on eBay. Anyone know some sites and some recommendations for some processors?

Link to comment
https://linustechtips.com/topic/404812-upgrading-my-old-compaq/
Share on other sites
Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted

They say you can't teach a old dog new tricks? Well this is kinda like giving an old dog a new hip and expecting him to be able to run a few miles.

Santa knows his shit

My account is almost entirely dormant. Hope you all are having a grand time. Many years of fun were had here.

Link to comment
https://linustechtips.com/topic/404812-upgrading-my-old-compaq/#findComment-5456848
Share on other sites
Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted

are you serious? sigh

Early 2020 Build : Intel i7 8700k // MSI Krait Z370 // Corsair LPX 8x2 16GB // Aorus 5700 XT // NZXT H500 

Early 2019 Build : Ryzen 2600X // Asus Tuff X470 // G.Skill Trident Z RGB 8x2 16GB // MSI RTX 2070 // NZXT H500 

Late 2017 Build : Intel i7 8700k // Asus Prime Z370-A // G.Skill Trident Z 8x2 16GB // EVGA GTX 1080 Ti  // NZXT S320 Elite 

Late 2015 Build : Intel i7 6700k // Asus Maximus VI Gene Z170 //  Corsair LPX 8x2 16GB // Gigabyte GTX 970 // Corsair Air 240

Link to comment
https://linustechtips.com/topic/404812-upgrading-my-old-compaq/#findComment-5456852
Share on other sites
Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted

I was looking at my computer and I wanted more speed. I got rid of viruses, and wiped the whole thing. It seems like new, but new isn't good enough when it's 2008 new. I found some processors that are compatible, and I want a quad core. I heard some three core'd ones can be unlocked, but not all of them. I don't want to spend more than $40, and my motherboard is a M2N68-LA. I looked it up and I saw two. It's a green one.  http://support.hp.com/us-en/document/c01925534 I'm not sure if it's all compatible and I can't find any that fit my criteria that are on eBay. Anyone know some sites and some recommendations for some processors?

Giving it a new CPU wont help, go get an SSD and it will blow your mind.

Laptop: Thinkpad W520 i7 2720QM 24GB RAM 1920x1080 2x SSDs Main Rig: 4790k 12GB Hyperx Beast Zotac 980ti AMP! Fractal Define S (window) RM850 Noctua NH-D15 EVGA Z97 FTW with 3 1080P 144hz monitors from Asus Secondary: i5 6600K, R9 390 STRIX, 16GB DDR4, Acer Predator 144Hz 1440P

As Centos 7 SU once said: With great power comes great responsibility.

Link to comment
https://linustechtips.com/topic/404812-upgrading-my-old-compaq/#findComment-5456899
Share on other sites
Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted

As far as I know, the motherboard has to support core ilunlocking, and the the HP motherboard won't.

As for what processors are compatible, (edit), the HP support documents should tell you what CPUs are compatible with the motherboard (edit: there appears to be some good options, possibly not at your price point) . How much RAM does the computer have? What is your current CPU (edit: to determine if you would see a large enough of a performance increase)?

Also don't expect miracles as it's an old computer and it's only going to see a modest performance boost.

Link to comment
https://linustechtips.com/topic/404812-upgrading-my-old-compaq/#findComment-5456914
Share on other sites
Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted

As far as I know, the motherboard has to support core ilunlocking, and the the HP motherboard won't.

As for what processors are compatible, I didn't click through as I am using an old mobile browser(crashes), the HP support documents should tell you what CPUs are compatible with the motherboard. How much RAM does the computer have? What is your current CPU?

Also don't expect miracles as it's an old computer and it's only going to see a modest performance boost.

For 40$ i can get a 64GB SSD which would be a million times better than a new CPU

Laptop: Thinkpad W520 i7 2720QM 24GB RAM 1920x1080 2x SSDs Main Rig: 4790k 12GB Hyperx Beast Zotac 980ti AMP! Fractal Define S (window) RM850 Noctua NH-D15 EVGA Z97 FTW with 3 1080P 144hz monitors from Asus Secondary: i5 6600K, R9 390 STRIX, 16GB DDR4, Acer Predator 144Hz 1440P

As Centos 7 SU once said: With great power comes great responsibility.

Link to comment
https://linustechtips.com/topic/404812-upgrading-my-old-compaq/#findComment-5456927
Share on other sites
Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted

For 40$ i can get a 64GB SSD which would be a million times better than a new CPU

It would make it feel snappier for sure, but it's not going to allow you to do anything more CPU intensive than before. I would rather spend more money and do both or neither and save the money for a new computer.

I guess it depends on how superficial this upgrade is suppose to be. Will the user be able to do more with the added CPU capabilities or are they just wanting the quickness an SSD can provide.

Link to comment
https://linustechtips.com/topic/404812-upgrading-my-old-compaq/#findComment-5456955
Share on other sites
Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted
  • Author

As far as I know, the motherboard has to support core ilunlocking, and the the HP motherboard won't.

As for what processors are compatible, (edit), the HP support documents should tell you what CPUs are compatible with the motherboard (edit: there appears to be some good options, possibly not at your price point) . How much RAM does the computer have? What is your current CPU (edit: to determine if you would see a large enough of a performance increase)?

Also don't expect miracles as it's an old computer and it's only going to see a modest performance boost.

an athlon x2 7550

Link to comment
https://linustechtips.com/topic/404812-upgrading-my-old-compaq/#findComment-5457122
Share on other sites
Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted

Santa knows his shit

Those 4 words made me laugh harder than any of your yahoo answers.

 

Anyway, you should tell us what you want to use out of your PC. Games, video editing?

Well, regardless you aren't going to get very far with only 40 bucks...

If money is the issue, you should save up before coming back to LTT

Follow the topics you create using the "Follow" button in the top right corner!

One day I will have my GTX 970. One day. PC specs are at my profile.

Not sure how to check what part works with what? Check out my compatibility guide!

Link to comment
https://linustechtips.com/topic/404812-upgrading-my-old-compaq/#findComment-5457216
Share on other sites
Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted

Those 4 words made me laugh harder than any of your yahoo answers.

 

Anyway, you should tell us what you want to use out of your PC. Games, video editing?

Well, regardless you aren't going to get very far with only 40 bucks...

If money is the issue, you should save up before coming back to LTT

Speaking of which...

To Experiences With Non-Techies!

My account is almost entirely dormant. Hope you all are having a grand time. Many years of fun were had here.

Link to comment
https://linustechtips.com/topic/404812-upgrading-my-old-compaq/#findComment-5457228
Share on other sites
Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted

I was looking at my computer and I wanted more speed. I got rid of viruses, and wiped the whole thing. It seems like new, but new isn't good enough when it's 2008 new. I found some processors that are compatible, and I want a quad core. I heard some three core'd ones can be unlocked, but not all of them. I don't want to spend more than $40, and my motherboard is a M2N68-LA. I looked it up and I saw two. It's a green one.  http://support.hp.com/us-en/document/c01925534 I'm not sure if it's all compatible and I can't find any that fit my criteria that are on eBay. Anyone know some sites and some recommendations for some processors?

An x4 aint a bad cpu. Also what are you going to be using this for? I have an x3 and I have overclocked it but an x4 would be much better. Sometimes stuff shows up on craigslist. You can also switch to a light weight Linux. My Dau had an emachines single core and 1 gig ram and when I added another gig and switched to LXLE Linux it was allot faster. Have you looked at video cards?

Link to comment
https://linustechtips.com/topic/404812-upgrading-my-old-compaq/#findComment-5458472
Share on other sites
Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted

an athlon x2 7550

You will see a performance boost from this when running more demanding applications, but the improvement to general responsiveness of the system will be minimal at best.  Honestly it depends on what you are planning to do with the computer to help you determine if it is worthwhile. If you wish to still upgrade your best upgrade is to an Phenom II X4 in the 8XX or 9XX series (Limitations: 95watt, AM3, Deneb core family. The "e" series processors are lower performing lower TDP), With an OEM HP board you will not be able to overclock or unlock triple cores. 

 

I am not really sure what the top CPU you can get is because I am finding contradictory information regarding TDP. I believe there were CPUs with the same model name, but differing TDP.

A tip I came across was look for the W in the CPU part number to get a 95watt CPU, example HDX9xxWxxxxxx. So I think the best CPU you can get is a 960T with the Part number HD96ZTWFK4DGR, but these are above your $40 budget at around $60, I think the best you might do with that budget is a 925 or if lucky a 945, which should be fine.

 

 

An x4 aint a bad cpu. Also what are you going to be using this for? I have an x3 and I have overclocked it but an x4 would be much better. Sometimes stuff shows up on craigslist. You can also switch to a light weight Linux. My Dau had an emachines single core and 1 gig ram and when I added another gig and switched to LXLE Linux it was allot faster. Have you looked at video cards?

It depends on what the OP is trying to accomplish with the upgrade, the purpose of the computer as it were. Just as a reminder, the OP will not be able to overclock with an HP OEM motherboard.

Link to comment
https://linustechtips.com/topic/404812-upgrading-my-old-compaq/#findComment-5458826
Share on other sites
Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share
Go to topic listing New Builds and Planning

×