Upgrading the Processor? I've never heard oft anyone doing this, but it should be possible to upgrade an old CPU to a new one. I think the main "problem" would be the cost. Would you...

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I've never heard oft anyone doing this, but it should be possible to upgrade an old CPU to a new one. I think the main "problem" would be the cost. Would you want to put a $300 processor into an old computer?

I don't think it would be worth the trouble - or the expense.

https://www.tomsguide.com/us/how-to-upgrade-cpu,news-30226.html

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

I wouldn't, especially if the motherboard is old.
The system clock is (usually) on the motherboard. if it's slower than a newer board or the new processor, the only thing one may gain is functionality, not speed. Still going to have the same system clock speed.

(I have a tendency to keep computers a long time as they meet my needs. I usually get forced into a new computer by yje old one failing to perform or stuff is no longer supported for the OS.)

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Longshadow wrote:

I wouldn't, especially if the motherboard is old.
The system clock is (usually) on the motherboard. if it's slower than a newer board or the new processor, the only thing one may gain is functionality, not speed. Still going to have the same system clock speed.

(I have a tendency to keep computers a long time as they meet my needs. I usually get forced into a new computer by yje old one failing to perform or stuff is no longer supported for the OS.)

Ollieboy

jerryc41 wrote:

I've never heard oft anyone doing this, but it should be possible to upgrade an old CPU to a new one. I think the main "problem" would be the cost. Would you want to put a $300 processor into an old computer?

I don't think it would be worth the trouble - or the expense.

https://www.tomsguide.com/us/how-to-upgrade-cpu,news-30226.html

It must match the motherboard socket. Your choices may be limited. Generally laptop cpus cannot be upgraded.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Ollieboy wrote:

It must match the motherboard socket. Your choices may be limited. Generally laptop cpus cannot be upgraded.

That too, the pin-outs must be compatible.

bcheary Loc: Jacksonville, FL

jerryc41 wrote:

I've never heard oft anyone doing this, but it should be possible to upgrade an old CPU to a new one. I think the main "problem" would be the cost. Would you want to put a $300 processor into an old computer?

I don't think it would be worth the trouble - or the expense.

https://www.tomsguide.com/us/how-to-upgrade-cpu,news-30226.html

Just had my computer (which I built myself) go on the fritz. I can use it in safe mode for now. Just purchased a new Dell desktop on Amazon. Should arrive Monday. I couldn't face getting the parts an assembling a new computer!

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

bcheary wrote:

Just had my computer (which I built myself) go on the fritz. I can use it in safe mode for now. Just purchased a new Dell desktop on Amazon. Should arrive Monday. I couldn't face getting the parts an assembling a new computer!

I used to do that in my previous life, but not any more...
OTS is so easy and I've not had ANY problems with using any software.

bcheary Loc: Jacksonville, FL

Longshadow wrote:

I used to do that in my previous life, but not any more...
OTS is so easy and I've not had ANY problems with using any software.

Nigel7 Loc: Worcestershire. UK.

I enjoy building my own PCs and usually upgrade every 5 years or so. However a computer is only as fast as it's slowest component. For that reason I wouldn't recommend changing the processor alone.
Also today I would be looking for a motherboard with more than one M2 connection so I can include a second M2 SSD. They are so much faster than SATA SSDs.
I'm not fully.up to date with the current market but the above comments cover my general thoughts.
Good luck.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

bcheary wrote:

Just had my computer (which I built myself) go on the fritz. I can use it in safe mode for now. Just purchased a new Dell desktop on Amazon. Should arrive Monday. I couldn't face getting the parts an assembling a new computer!

Think of all the fun you'll have diagnosing the problem on that one. Are you familiar with Britec09 on YouTube? He has two videos a day about computers.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X2Md-PUvUZc

https://www.youtube.com/@ExplainingComputers

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Nigel7 wrote:

I enjoy building my own PCs and usually upgrade every 5 years or so. However a computer is only as fast as it's slowest component. For that reason I wouldn't recommend changing the processor alone.
Also today I would be looking for a motherboard with more than one M2 connection so I can include a second M2 SSD. They are so much faster than SATA SSDs.
I'm not fully.up to date with the current market but the above comments cover my general thoughts.
Good luck.

I had quite a few extra parts, so I figured I'd buy the missing ones and build another machine. All the parts are sitting in boxes, waiting for me to get to work. It will be a basic Core i5 machine.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

jerryc41 wrote:

I had quite a few extra parts, so I figured I'd buy the missing ones and build another machine. All the parts are sitting in boxes, waiting for me to get to work. It will be a basic Core i5 machine.

I used to keep pieces parts. Now they just go to recycling.
I only need the desktop, laptop, and current external devices.

I could have bought a case for one of the CD drives from the old computer and had a spare drive, but I have a small portable USB external CD drive I bought for the laptop. It'll do for what I need.

BebuLamar

I did upgrade the 2 Xeon processors in my desktop computer to the higher ones.

bcheary Loc: Jacksonville, FL

jerryc41 wrote:

Think of all the fun you'll have diagnosing the problem on that one. Are you familiar with Britec09 on YouTube? He has two videos a day about computers.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X2Md-PUvUZc

https://www.youtube.com/@ExplainingComputers

Robin Dessureau

I purchased an HP desktop computer to upgrade my work computer. After using it for a short time it would freeze up and slow down. Not wanting to trash it since it new and had all my work files on it I solved the problem by upgrading the amount of memory, switching to an M2 hard drive (the motherboard had a slot for one), and upgraded the processor for about $100. Since then the computer has been more like the one I should have purchased when replacing it, Never go with the lowest price model or you may regret it rather quickly.
I am hoping to got back to an Apple iMac 24" with a M3 chip and use Parallels so I can run both Apples OS Windows OS as needed with a lot better desktop computer.