Awhile ago I asked some questions about building my self a comp, got most of them answered, decided I needed to read this up a bit more. I've decided that it's probably better for me to just upgrade my current processor and anything that might need to be upgraded with it. I originally bought my comp as a cheap display model at some store in a bundle its a Compaq Presario SR1511NX, I have another similar computer I was thinking of doing this to aswell/ if this one can't . Both have about the same specs, 1.8 ghz 512 ram, not sure about psu. I was hoping to put in something that would put it up to about 2-2.5ish ghz. What I need to know is where I can find what I can put into my current motherboard that would do this if anything could and if I need to get a new psu or anything else. A new motherboard is also an option but not the first. I figure if I'm going to replace that I might aswell just build a new system and drop in the old hard drive.

Thats a socket 754 mobo. You could find a cpu through ebay but it'd just be a waste of money.

Go for a new mobo and cpu. No point investing in something that is already 'aged'. There are some cheap yet quality mobos you should look into, which have newer socket and other improved features compared to yours. Usually they overprice older cpus because they know there is still someone who needs them, so you end up paying almost the same amount as you would for new model. You have to check out what is the wattage of your psu and if you aren't planning on installing powerfull gpu later on, i think 350-400w range should do.

How do I know if a 'mobo' will fit my case? And what is cheap for one that would get me what I'm asking? Oh a new mobo means new fans and possibly new ram right?

'bump'

Look here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Atxscale.svg
I'm guessing the one in your case is a mATX.
As others said, there is no point throwing more money on a socket 754 system, DDR memories are much more expensive than DDR2 right now. I would suggest you go for AM2 system, buy a AMD RS690 based mATX mobo ($60-70) & 65nm A64 X2 4600+ ($80).

Oh ya... how could I forgot about it! Yes, 780G FTW!

Ok from those prices this looks pretty promising. Would everything thing else attached to my current mother board fit on an AM2? I'm pretty happy with everything in it now with the exception of ram and a graphics card. Just the processing power is too low for some essentials I need, namely a drafting program I need for a class. I'm guessing the A64 X2 4600+ is a cpu and the AMD RS690 is a 'mobo' series. Anywhere I can find a list of those mobos? And what's a 780G? Still pretty new at this sorry for all the questions.

I'd go with at least an X2 5000+ for your cpu, their cheap as hell now. The 780G is the chipset on the motherboard. It's AMDs newest and seems to be very good. Your ram will not work but you can pick up 2gb's of ram for next to nothing now anyways. Whats your pricerange anyways for this upgrade?

What kind of GHz would I be able to get out of the X2 5000+ ? Or are there more variables to GHz than just a cpu? (Sorry if this sounds nubish, but I got to find out somehow) What does a 780G chipset mean? The book I have says chipset is the 'architecture' of a mobo 0_0 ? Price range..eh kinda rolling as I find out what's reasonable. $350ish is the roof of my spending meaning at that point I'd either buy a new bundle comp close to what I need or just make by with what I have. I'd really like to keep it bellow $250 if possible, to make a 1.8 GHz a 2.2 or more and maybe upgrade my ram/graphics while I'm at it.

Antec Sonata III 500 Black Computer Case w/ 500W Power Supply $130- 30 dollar rebate
CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) $79- 40 mail in rebate
ASUS P5KPL-CM LGA 775 Intel G31 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard $70
Intel Pentium E2180 Allendale 2.0GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor $77
$346 before rebates $276 after rebates
Use you old hard drive and dvd rom and you have a whole new computer.

1 Gig of ram is more than enough for me. How much more would it be put it up a step to 2.2 GHz? And what does the AMD equivalent cost? If anyone could link me to a decent place to shop/research this stuff I'd be more than happy to do this myself and double check here.

go to newegg.com.
the e2180 cpu will oc to 2.6 comfortably with the stock heatsink. plus it's a dual core over your single core. ddr2 ram is so cheap and performance will be much better with 2gb over 1. You'll only save $10- 15 going with one gb

Forgot but its pretty important for me to keep using my current HD as in I wouldn't have to buy another OS (as far as I know)

@wip99gt

e2180, is that intel? What's oc? Original computer? If its only a $10-15 difference then I'll go 2gig then thanks.

Oh, Btw what exactly is a barebones comp? Looking around and ran into a few of these.

be cheaper to build it yourself if you want to try. a barebones computer has no OS, like win xp or vista. yes the e2180 is an intel product. If you are interested in building and learning about computers it's a good cpu to get because of very easy overclocking abilities. If you decide to get a barebones or the parts to build one you will have to format your hd. You can still use your old OS though you just need your code and the xp disk

Yeah I'm always willing to try do something DIY over preassembled. I just thought it would be easier and/or cheaper to upgrade my current one to building one from scratch. I still have all the documentation from the original purchase and the xp back-up disk thing. From what I read I think there is more than one type of hd, correct? What should I look for to make sure my HD is compatible? If all a barebones system is missing is an OS then couldn't I drop in my old HD? Seems to be cheaper than building from scratch.

When you build it yourself you can pick amd choose your own parts. A lot of barebones kits offer lower end gear in them. But if you are not going to oc much it could be a good way to go.

Oh, just figured out oc stands for over clocking. Which is?

Ok found what over clocking is. I don't think I'll be doing much of that. So I think I'll do some shopping for Barebone systems where I can use my old HD. But if the local Fry's electronics has something better in mobos and a psu I might try that. How can find out if my HD is compatible with a mobo? Is that even an issue?

Your hd will be an ide connection. there are ide and sata hard drives. any motherboard you get will support both. Most barebones come with a hard drive which will be much faster, larger, and better than the one you have. One thing to avoid is any pentium D, celeron, or amd sempron cpu.