Negative Sun Posted September 23, 2006 Share Posted September 23, 2006 Some of you have been really helpful to me around here, thanks for that... But I still have a few questions for someone who knows his/her way around computers: 1) How do you change a processor, is it easy? How the hell do I find ou what my socket is? All my PC tells me is that it holds an AMD Athlon XP 1.16GHz, but that doesn't tell me what I can replace it with does it? 2) I have recently installed more RAM (I now have 768Mb), but when I open Windows Task Manager it says I only have 475 avalable...Wtf? what is using so much RAM, all I have running is Firefox and AOL...There are like 41 running processes going on, but I don't know which ones are safe to close and which ones aren't, any Ideas? I also don't want to clean out my processes every time I start my computer... Should I install more RAM to about 1Gig? Will it make my system more stable? 3) How do I find out if my PC is wireless capable? Cause I have an icon in my Control Panel that says "Wirless Network Setup Wizard", but I don't know if it's there by default or if it means I can use wirless? (The reason is I'm switching to a new provider, and they have a wireless router for free so I want to take advantage of that) I know I can buy a wireless adaptor for peanuts, but I would just like to know... Thanks to anyone who has an answer to these questions... Edit: My system specs are at the bottom of this page http://www.xfire.com/profile/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
igyman Posted September 23, 2006 Share Posted September 23, 2006 1) It is. You have to turn off the power on your PC, it's the button at the back (if you don't have the button then just pull out the power cable). Open your PC then you'll see a cooler on the motherboard. The processor is located beneath the cooler, it's the small square looking piece of hardware with a bunch of small needles on the other side (but then again, I suppose you know what a processor looks like). After you remove the cooler you must carefully remove the processor, then attach the new processor and if you have a new cooler to go with the new processor, put that one in over it, otherwise, return the old one. Close your PC and plug the power cable back in. That's all there is to know about the physical part of changing the processor, when it comes to software, I'm not really sure (which is why I probably wouldn't do that myself). Maybe someone else here knows the details. How to find out what socket you have? Read the details of your motherboard. If by any chance it isn't in the general specifications (which would be very strange) then check out the details for your motherboard at the web site of its manufacturer. 2) Do you have three 256MB modules or one 512MB and one 256MB module? Are you sure you placed the module correctly and tightened the two holders on the sides of the socket? What frequency do your old module(s) work on, 400MHz? More? Less? What memory frequency does your motherboard support? That's the list of things you should check. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stingerhs Posted September 23, 2006 Share Posted September 23, 2006 to figure out what socket you're using (probably Socket A, judging from your processor), i suggest downloading and then running PC Wizard 2006. once its installed, just run the program, and once the program is fully loaded, click on the processor icon on the left. in the top list, you'll find a field that says "Processor Interface". it should then list your Socket type on the right of that field. if you don't have a wireless card installed on your PC (that you did yourself), chances are that you don't have wireless internet access. to get it yourself, you'll need to buy a wireless card of some kind. anyways, i hope that helps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpaceAlex Posted September 23, 2006 Share Posted September 23, 2006 The Athlon XP processors require socket A (462 pin), so your motherboard is socket A. You can only place Athlon XP/MP and Thunderbird processors into that socket. These processors were introduced in 2002, and are considered sub-par by todays' standards. So, if you're planning to replace your current CPU with a CPU that's on par with todays standards, you will also have to replace your motherboard and RAM (because your current one will be incompatible with the new motherboard). Most likely, you will also have to replace your graphic card, because most motherboards don't support AGP (Accelerated Graphic Port) anymore (which your graphic card is using). As for the wireless capability...unless you have a wireless network card, your PC is not wireless compatible. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Negative Sun Posted September 23, 2006 Author Share Posted September 23, 2006 So basically I would be better off getting a new computer... Cause I looked up what I can put in a Socket A, and it's not much...And if I'm getting a new motherboard I might as well invest in a brand new up to date pc. Thanks for your help guys...Stingerhs that tool is really good, thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stingerhs Posted September 23, 2006 Share Posted September 23, 2006 more than likely, yes, a new computer would do you good. the best Socket A compatible processor is the Athlon 3200 XP which is the chip i'm currently running in my computer. its definately a capable chip, especially once you start feeding some more voltage to it and overclocking it. so, the real question is can you "live" with a very good processor (even if it is a bit dated), or do you want something more up to date?? IMHO, you probably don't need to upgrade to a new computer unless you're planning on running some really high-end programs. even then, the Athlon 3200 will handle it just fine except on a slightly slower speed. just my two pennies. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Astrotoy7 Posted September 23, 2006 Share Posted September 23, 2006 @Negative_Sun - Although the chaps above have already answered the tech stuff you asked, you need to think about this: 1. What do you use a computer for ?? For example, if you just net surf, do homework and are happy to play lower end games - then with some extra ram, a newer CPU and perhaps a better gfx card(you didnt specify) then you could get by fine with the athlon xp socket a. The way I look at things, if you plan on upgrading, and your motherboard chip type has reached its ceiling limit, then you need to think about a new motherboard ! If you really want to be able to play high end(Oblivion, Doom, Fear, Far Cry etc) games, run high end proggies and be ready for next gen PC games then you really need to think carefully, and have a decent wad of cash Building SLI/Xfire gaming PCs are expensive.... compared to buying a console for example. Ive recently finished my sli rig. Its since gone quad sli, not that it needs it to run anything better atm, but I am doing some Vista RC1 testing for it. Once the testing is done though, I have to give my friend back his xfx 7950gx2 card and stay stuck with my own one I must admit, I love my 7950....Oblivion looks sooooo pretty I quite often find myself stopping and looking at the scenery let us know if you need anymore help. As you can gather, there are some very cluey tech-heads around ahto, you cant go wrong !! Choosing a new CPU is a matter of taste and opinion!! Im an anti intel type of guy(although my home theatre pc is an intel dual core). Intels conroe chips seem to rack up great numbers on benchmarking but I havent come across anyone who is running a gaming pc on them, as their top end chip is still pretty expensive. In contrast AMDs dual core athlon or FX chips will give you great performance in all things(especially in multitasking) and have gone down in price. I try and avoid intel vs amd arguments, but every know and then I get confronted by an Intel fanboy who hates on AMD in an obnoxious manner and it gives me the irrits lolz..geeky mtfbwya Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Negative Sun Posted September 23, 2006 Author Share Posted September 23, 2006 Hmmm, you do have a good point, I'll see how much it is for the Athlon 3200XP, shouldn't be that expensive, and maybe get more RAM... But I don't think I need another Graphics card, the only thing that bothers me about it is that it can't handle a certain pixel shader thing that doesn't allow me to play Battlefront 1 & 2 and Lego Star Wars...Which kinda sucks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stingerhs Posted September 23, 2006 Share Posted September 23, 2006 well, on the graphics card front, if you have an AGP 8x slot, you can opt for the Nvidia GeForce 7800GS. its the best AGP compatible graphics card out there, and you can probably get it for under $300. heck, you might be able to find one for under $250 if you look hard enough. since its a current-gen graphics board, it supports Shader 3.0 and its fast enough to run Oblivion with the majority of the high-end settings maxed out. just thought i'd share my experiences since that's the type of system i'm currently running. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Negative Sun Posted September 23, 2006 Author Share Posted September 23, 2006 well, on the graphics card front, if you have an AGP 8x slot, you can opt for the Nvidia GeForce 7800GS. its the best AGP compatible graphics card out there, and you can probably get it for under $300. heck, you might be able to find one for under $250 if you look hard enough. since its a current-gen graphics board, it supports Shader 3.0 and its fast enough to run Oblivion with the majority of the high-end settings maxed out. just thought i'd share my experiences since that's the type of system i'm currently running. Sounds good, but maybe a bit over the top, I dunno...I guess it all depends on how my wallet is feeling Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpaceAlex Posted September 23, 2006 Share Posted September 23, 2006 If you will, at the end, decide that a whole new PC is the best choice, i would wait until december or so for DX10 graphic cards...that is, if you're planning to hold on to that PC for more than a year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jae Onasi Posted September 24, 2006 Share Posted September 24, 2006 Wireless--we bought a wireless USB adapter for Jimbo's computer instead of a card, so all we have to do is plug it into a USB port. It's just a little bit larger than a memory stick. We probably could have put a card in, but we had enough USB ports, and this was easier. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stingerhs Posted September 24, 2006 Share Posted September 24, 2006 ^^^^ the downside to a simple USB plugin is how well you can pick up the wireless signal from the router. if you're just two rooms down the hallway, it's not going to be a problem. however, if you're on the other side of the house/apartment, reception can be an issue with those little USB wireless plugs. that's why i prefer a PCI card for my wireless. well, that and with a better antenna in the card, you can get even better reception. and i'm talking about reception that's good enough to pick up your neighbor's wireless signals. i'm not advocating hacking into the routers, but if the network is open, then its perfectly legal to connect to that network. and if it happens that they have faster internet access than you're ISP, well, let's just say that you can save yourself a little bit of money that way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Negative Sun Posted September 24, 2006 Author Share Posted September 24, 2006 It's just two rooms dosn the hall, and it's a straight line from the router, with only two doors in the way...I think the USB one should do, and it's quite cheap to lol If you will, at the end, decide that a whole new PC is the best choice, i would wait until december or so for DX10 graphic cards...that is, if you're planning to hold on to that PC for more than a year. DX10 Graphics Cards? Please elaborate... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stingerhs Posted September 24, 2006 Share Posted September 24, 2006 DX 10 = DirectX 10 its the next version of DirectX that will ship with Window$ Vi$ta. it supposedly runs faster than DX 9 and has several other advances when it comes to shader effects. if you just plain out don't understand what the heck DirectX is, then here's a link. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Astrotoy7 Posted September 24, 2006 Share Posted September 24, 2006 ^^^^... but if the network is open, then its perfectly legal to connect to that network. and if it happens that they have faster internet access than you're ISP, well, let's just say that you can save yourself a little bit of money that way. this is ethically WRONG Sir!! [/foghorn leghorn voice] I have a couple of neighbours who also have wireless APs or routers. We all pick each others signals up on a site survey. We all have basic (128 WEP) security on them, and often jokingly taunt each other when renaming our networks... a clean one I had was "AstroAtePippi" (Pippi's one neighbours bunny rabbit) Sure, if youre really eager, most "mom n dad" wireless networks can be haxxed, but its really not necessary in this context...we all have the same speed connections lolz mtfbwya Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Negative Sun Posted September 25, 2006 Author Share Posted September 25, 2006 DX 10 = DirectX 10 its the next version of DirectX that will ship with Window$ Vi$ta. it supposedly runs faster than DX 9 and has several other advances when it comes to shader effects. if you just plain out don't understand what the heck DirectX is, then here's a link. Aye I know what DirectX is, I've got the latest I think, 9.0c right? I didn't know DX was the abbreviation for it... To Astrotoy: Are we allowed to have sig pics that are higher than 120 pixels now? Or is it just mods? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stingerhs Posted September 26, 2006 Share Posted September 26, 2006 this is ethically WRONG Sir!! [/foghorn leghorn voice]You're going to find that many of the truths we cling to depend greatly on our own point of view.[/obi-wan] i personally don't see anything wrong with using someone's internet access as long as the wireless network is open and unsecured. it is perfectly legal, and the only real restriction there is dependant entirely on your own personal standards. what i do not advocate is hacking into a secured wireless network for your own use. that is not legal, and i do draw the line there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Negative Sun Posted September 27, 2006 Author Share Posted September 27, 2006 If it's open and unsecured it's public domain...it's like parking your car and leave the doors right open, which is just asking for trouble Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RaV™ Posted September 27, 2006 Share Posted September 27, 2006 Hmm to answer all your questions..Well what I did to mine was took it out back and caved half of it in while I put a bullet in the side of it. Suprisingly it works..barely.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Negative Sun Posted September 27, 2006 Author Share Posted September 27, 2006 On a more serious note... stingerhs, thanks to your tool I've found out that my processor is supposed to run at 1.8Ghz, but instead it's only at 1.16Ghz, what gives? How is this possible and how can I fix it? (preferably NOT by using BIOS cause I have no idea what I'm doing in there) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stingerhs Posted September 28, 2006 Share Posted September 28, 2006 actually, going into the BIOS is the easiest solution. the only other way to overclock is to mess around with the jumper settings on the mobo itself. here's a handy guide on overclocking that also serves as a good reference on how to get your CPU speed up to stock levels. hope that helps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Negative Sun Posted September 28, 2006 Author Share Posted September 28, 2006 Hmmm, doesn't really tell you how to do it though, with the BIOS I mean... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Q Posted September 28, 2006 Share Posted September 28, 2006 ^^^ Agreed. I've been looking for a comprehensive guide to overclocking for a while now. Can anyone in the know provide a link to one? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stingerhs Posted September 28, 2006 Share Posted September 28, 2006 it does have some screenshots of what the BIOS options are likely to be, and it does tell you how to figure out how to calculate your overall clockspeed. after a quick search, though, i came across this guide that goes into much more detail than the Gamespot article. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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