Computer help

I want to upgrade my piece of crap 450 mhz for something better but cheaper...but my buddy said I need to know the socket size of CPU, and the books tell me shit. If anyone can tell me the CPU socket size for a HP Pavilion 4533, thanks alot.

Sorry this isn't NG related.

According to HP's URL=http://partsinfo.hp.com/cgi-bin/spi/main?sel_flg=partlist&model=D7435A&HP_model=D7435A&modname=Pavilion+4533+%28D7435A%29&template=secondary&plist _sval=Processor&plist_styp=subcat&dealer_id=&keysel=Processor&catsel=%3F&ptypsel=%3F&strsrch=]part surfer[/URL] , you have an AMD k-6 Processor. As far as upgrades are concerned, I think you may be fucked. The K6 is a "socket" processor (I believe), but your motherboard won't support anything other than AMD socket processors, pre-Athlon style. You should be able to check the manual that came with your system to see what the maximum speed/type processor is available to your system.

If you want my recommendation, I say buy a new motherboard and a new processor and gut the HP case if there is enough room to fit a normal sized motherboard. If there isn't enough room. you're stuck buying a new computer.

Url thing isn't working, just copy and paste it... sorry.

[ July 08, 2002: Message edited by: slerch666 ]</p>

...damn this anicent computer..I want to play NWN but without the min. requirements...DAMNIT! Thanks alot.

Yeah, that's a good old k6-2 450. The only real upgrade options you have are to a k6-2 500 or 550 which really won't help you much at all. Sorry.

If you know someone that can put PCs together, you should be able to salvage the HDD, CD-ROM and floppy from this system and use it on a newer, custom system. You might also be able to salvage the case, but have the person who'd build your PC look at it first to see if it has the proper power supply and has the right board layout (for screwing onto the case) You can probably put together another computer on your own, without buying the above components for $500-$600. You wouldn't need a new monitor either, so you'd be saving money that way as well. It's about all I can recommend though.

I figure as much I needed a custom, but it's the coughing out of 500+ that kills me...I got ram, a great CD burner, zip, and so on.. I just need a new bigger frame, new mother board, and a new processor.

Check out <a href="http://www.pricewatch.com" target="_blank">pricewatch</a> and see if you can figure something out that way. You may be able to get off cheaper, but no guarantees. I'd also be careful with some of the companies on that site, as some of them seem like Fly-By-Night sort of places.

I'm not sure the RAM you have in your computer now is usable, especially if you go the faster P4 route.

Good luck. (NWN is worth it though...)

what kind of ram do they use in the stronger computers?

I believe MOST P4 system boards are Rambus/DDR RAM only, although you can now use PC 133 memory with some them, depending on what chip set you are using on your motherboard.

I haven't put together a computer from scratch in 1.5 yrs, and unfortunately working in a place where buying from Dell is standard, I don't think I'll be building one there any time soon. My PC is a 750 at home, so I don't need to upgrd. yet, meaning I havn't had to keep up with the changing technology too much. I think most AMD systems will use the PC 133, although I know even less about AMD systems since I've NEVER put one of them together. So if anyone else can help with the AMD side, feel free. I believe the PC 150 memory is for the newer Athlon's.

[ July 08, 2002: Message edited by: slerch666 ]</p>

I am sticking with AMD, and two of my rams are 133..but they're still obsolete?

P4 system boards are Rambus <img src="graemlins/mrt2.gif" border="0" alt="[Mr T]" />

Only only really need a processor (Duron 800 should do), a motherboard and and decent graphics card (32MB). That should speed it up no end, and it would only cost about $200. It would need some donor parts from your old computer though.

You could probably do it yourself, it really is like lego these days........ but don't forget to earth yourself!!!

...and that RAM would be fine, just get a Duron Compatable Motherboard, and it will slot in no problem.

You don't really need a top of the range computer to play stuff on as the hardware is still far ahead of the game development.......

Go for a cheap and cheerful pc chips 810LMR + duron 1.1ghz. whack ur old ram in there, it has onboard everything should u need it. jobs a good un.

[ July 11, 2002: Message edited by: Arv ]</p>

If you shop around you should be able to find some good deals. Basically I just wanted to reiterate what 2D said. Make sure you "earth yourself" (get rid of any static charge) otherwise there is a good chance you will ruin your mobo, I did it once luckily on a very old peice of crap. Everything is pretty simple though, you shouldn't have too many problems.

I would get a Pentium 4 with a DDR Mobo. It would use DDR266 which is twice as fast as your current bus output (actually over twice as fast). You can get 32 meg video cards for about $50 bucks. I would get a Sound Blaster Live! Value for arond $50 as well. Santa Cruz by Turle Beach is pretty top notch as well (that's what I got). Be sure to get registered dimms because the OEM versions usually have some bad makes. And never, NEVER, mix one brand with another brand of ram. If you do you are only asking for trouble. Be sure to download the latest drivers and especially the motherboard drivers. They make the most difference on how fast your games go. I could go on forever, but who really cares?