How hard is it to replace a processor?

[SelArom]

Hola, I'm going to buy a sff barebones that uses a socket 478 p4 processor. I currently have a P4 2.66Ghz in my main computer. I want to take that one out, put it in the new pc, and buy a new cpu and put it in the old one. The reason? my old cpu doesn't have HT, and the new cpu I will be buying does, and I figure I could use the boost on my pc instead of the sff, which is just gonna be for movies and stuff. is it worth it or should I just buy the new cpu for the new pc and be done with it?

ps I've never put in a cpu before, and I'm scared to DEATH I'm gonna break it. how difficult is it to do and can someone link me to a very thorough guide? THANK YOU

 

[fbrdphreak]

CPUs are very easy to replace and you won't break it. If this were an AMD CPU, I would ramble it off from memory; but I've never had to replace a P4. My suggestion is to get the mobo manual and it'll give you instructions on how to swap out the CPU. Maybe some of the Intel-fan-boys can give you a play-by-play

 

[MercenaryForHire]

First of all, make sure your motherboard can support the new processor you want to drop in it. If it's older, it may not support the 800FSB (I know there is a 3.06HT, just taking a shot in the dark) required to get the newer chip to run.

- M4H

 

[SelArom]

Originally posted by: MercenaryForHire
First of all, make sure your motherboard can support the new processor you want to drop in it. If it's older, it may not support the 800FSB (I know there is a 3.06HT, just taking a shot in the dark) required to get the newer chip to run.

- M4H

thanks for the replies fellas. my old mobo has 533fsb, and is using a p4 2.66ghz with a 533 fsb and no HT. I'm gonna put that in the new sff pc that accepts 400/533/800 fsb, then buy a NEW 2.4 p4 that has a 533 fsb WITH HT, and put it in the old pc.

if that makes sense to you, will I be okay? is it worth the trouble (meaning does HT make that much of a difference)? I do a lot of multitasking, and I also make music so I work w/ a lot of samples and vstis and plugins and stuff. will I benefit or should I just get a new p4 w/800fsb for the new sff and be done with it?

thanks again

 

[JasonandBecky]

then buy a NEW 2.4 p4 that has a 533 fsb WITH HT,

The only 533 bus P4 that has HT is the 3.06 one ( I currently use one).

 

[cheesehead]

No, the Prescotts have HT, and there is a 2.4 ghz version (I think).
However, contrary to popular belief, HT does not boost your performance in that many things. Except for video editing/recording/PVR, you are'nt likely to see a benifit at all. (interestingly enough, that's what the SFF is doing anyway. Go figure). You're actually more likely to take a hit in performance when swapping the processors. For the price of a Prescott 2.4 you could most likely get a VNF3-250 and a Sempron 3100+ (70$ and 110$ respectively), which would boost your system's power. Of course, you would want fast RAM(DDR400) and a good graphics card (9600 Pro bare minimum).
Out of curioustiy, what are the specs of your old computer? You might be better off replacing most of the innards with newer stuff, and moving the old (slow) equipment to the SFF. You would get a SFF at least equal to your old computer, an A64-based (Sempron=32 bit A64) new computer that beats the pants off of it, and a motherboard and power supply to sell on E-bay.
What's not to like?
EDIT:
Most motherboards are ZIF variants. You should be able to raise a small lever, and gently remove the processor. (do'nt remove the big metal doodad on top). Pull up lever on new motherboard, match up pins, and gently lower into socket. Pull down lever. If nothing is broken or bent, congradulations! You have just installed a processor.
Also, do you have the option of returning the SFF? A Sempron is cheap, powerful, and easily OC'd, ,so a S754 based SFF might be a better idea.
-Cheeshead.

 

[SelArom]

Originally posted by: JasonandBecky

then buy a NEW 2.4 p4 that has a 533 fsb WITH HT,

The only 533 bus P4 that has HT is the 3.06 one ( I currently use one).

hmm I could have sworn I saw a 2.4 with 533 bus and HT!! I guess i'll just leave it as it is and get the new processor for the new pc. I'm not going to be using it for a pvr though because I don't have satellite or cable. in fact I don't watch tv. I'm getting it for dvds, roms, divx files and the like.

the barebones sff will come with a mobo and integrated video, lan, and soundcard, so I don't need to move anything into it other than a HDD, cpu and ram. I'm not too concerned about top of the line stuff, I just want it to work =) I'm gonna put a gig from my old pc and buy a gig of 3200 to stick in there.

my current pc:
mobo gigabyte 8SQ800
p4 2.66ghz
1.25 gb ram (256 is pc3200, 1 gig is pc2700)
audigy 2
3 hdd (1 120, 1 160, 1 200)
geforce fx 5200 plus

my new sff:
CPU: debating b/t 2.4C northwood and 2.8 prescott
RAM: 1 gig pc2700
Chipsets: ATI RS300/IXP200
Graphics: ATI RADEON 9100
Audio: ADI AD1888, 6 channel, optical out

I had an extra 80- gig hd in my main pc but I put that in my ps2. so I'll probably buy one on black friday. I don't think my main pc need upgrading right now, but thanks for the suggestion. and thanks for the advice, I probably would have bought the wrong processor if you hadn't pointed that out!

any other suggestions? thanks a bunch!

 

[biostud]

Get the 2.4 northwood as it runs much cooler than the prescott.

 

[SelArom]

cheaper too.. yeah that's what I figured I would get, especially for a sff

thanks for your advice everyone I'll up pics when I'm done!