Core 2 CPU Upgrade: Pentium 4 to Core 2

[David]

I have an ABIT IP-95 MB with 2GB of DDR2 667 MHz memory with an Intel
Pentium 4 2.66GHz 1 MB Cache CPU. I am thinking of buying a core 2 Intel
chip for an upgrade.


I can get a Intel E6600 (2.4GHZ and 4MB cache) for about $225
The 6320 at 1.8GHz and 4MB cache is $175.


In between these two there is the E6420 (2.13GHz and 4MB cache) at $215.


Has anyone upgraded their systems to one of the Intel Core 2 CPUs
mentioned from a Pentium 4 2.66GHz system? Any comments on the
performance improvements you found?

 

[Guest]

David,

I upgraded a Pentium 4, 2.4 GHz system with 1.5 GB of RAM. I upgraded to an
Asus P5B-VM motherboard and a Intel Core 2 Duo 2.4 MHz processor with 2 GB of
PC-6400 (DDR2-800) RAM. I'm pleased with the results, but to be honest, I
don't do the kind of computing that justifies that upgrade.

That is, I don't do video editing, photoshop, high end gaming using SLI,
etc. I could have stayed with my prior system and have been just as far
ahead. Even so, I can afford it, so why not. I like this stuff, so I did it
anyway. I do some gaming, but I'm stisfied with using just one decent video
card (ATI X1650 PCIe). It works well and supports Vista Aero. I like it.

Here is something to be aware of when using 4 GB of RAM. For
Vista to recognize and to utilize the full 4 GB, your BIOS must be able to
support the remapping feature. Not all BIOS does this. So beware. Here is
a Microsoft publication describing this requirement:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929605

The upshot is that when upgrading to 4 GB of RAM, make sure the motherboard
BIOS supports that full amount of RAM.

 

[David]

David,

I upgraded a Pentium 4, 2.4 GHz system with 1.5 GB of RAM. I upgraded to an
Asus P5B-VM motherboard and a Intel Core 2 Duo 2.4 MHz processor with 2 GB of
PC-6400 (DDR2-800) RAM. I'm pleased with the results, but to be honest, I
don't do the kind of computing that justifies that upgrade.

That is, I don't do video editing, photoshop, high end gaming using SLI,
etc. I could have stayed with my prior system and have been just as far
ahead. Even so, I can afford it, so why not. I like this stuff, so I did it
anyway. I do some gaming, but I'm stisfied with using just one decent video
card (ATI X1650 PCIe). It works well and supports Vista Aero. I like it.

Here is something to be aware of when using 4 GB of RAM. For
Vista to recognize and to utilize the full 4 GB, your BIOS must be able to
support the remapping feature. Not all BIOS does this. So beware. Here is
a Microsoft publication describing this requirement:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929605

The upshot is that when upgrading to 4 GB of RAM, make sure the motherboard
BIOS supports that full amount of RAM.

Yep I am OK on the BIOS. I probably do not need it either but I may
upgrade anyway. I may wait till the end of summer. I would like to get a
24 inch monitor--maybe the Gateway 24Inch model. I probably would get
more enjoyment out of the monitor than the CPU. Time will tell,

 

[Guest]

David,

Just to make sure: The BIOS may indeed support 4 GB RAM, but it doesn't
support remapping feature. A fine point easily missed. Just make sure you
see the point.

 

[Dave]

David,

Just to make sure: The BIOS may indeed support 4 GB RAM, but it doesn't
support remapping feature. A fine point easily missed. Just make sure
you
see the point.

I went for the 24inch Samsung monitor instead of a CPU upgrade.

 

[Guest]

Dave,

Very nice!
--
freddy

I went for the 24inch Samsung monitor instead of a CPU upgrade.