Need a new cpu

[Bman123]

it's bad lol

 

[Rifter]

this is probably the best advice. for really good web surfing today you need more than 3 ghz dual core in my experience (there is a noticeable difference between 3 and 2.5 ghz so i would avoid most core 2 at this point). you can get combo deals really cheap (like $50 for the chip and mb together after rebate). its so worthwhile, i couldnt even imagine how tortuous it would be to be using a p4 these days

You are living in fantasy land if you think we are going to be able to buy a SB CPU and mobo for $50.

 

[Bman123]

I dont know what he is talking about in that post. The best deal I have stumbled upon is the microcenter amd cpu mobo combo. Phenom 2 560 BE cpu and whatever cheap mobo for $109

 

[muskie32]

Don't need 4GB with XP. My X2 5200+ with 2GB feels like new because I keep my startup free of anything but Microsoft Security Essentials and it's been defragged/Bootvis'ed.

OP probably just needs to format, then reinstall XP/SP3/drivers/Microsoft Security Essentials, then disable pagefile, then defrag and run Bootvis boot optimization, then reenable pagefile.
Standard install, IOW.

The OP has Vista.

And if he does upgrade to win7 64bit he would want 4gig of ram.

 

[Bman123]

OK so I decided I am gonna buy from microcenter. Now what do you think will suit me better. AMD x4 640 or Phenom 2 x2 560 BE cpu? I'm not gaming but my daughter plays alot of flash games, I do alot of web browsing. I would like this build to last me a few years.

I figure I can just get the combo that is $95 (x4 640 or $99 X2 560 BE) it comes with a basic mobo which is fine since I am not gaming. I just dont know what cpu is gonna be the better choice here for my needs.

 

[Dice144]

I got my Mom X620 system for Xmas and she loves it! Plays all flash games etc plus has extra cores incase she ever needs them.

 

[Bman123]

I'm thinking of getting the x4 640. At MC I can get everything but the OS for $318, that's mobo,cpu,ram,hdd,and case.

 

[VirtualLarry]

I think I will slap a new ssd in there and see what happens, if it is still slow as all hell then I will have to get windows 7 as my PC is a store bought and I don't think there is any way I can reinstall the vista unless you guys know how I can do that and want to help me

There should be some way to burn a "recovery disc" / "recovery DVD" listed in your Program Files under the Start menu. Unless your rig came with a physical recovery disc already.

Win7 is a good idea anyways, if you are going to put in an SSD.

Edit: Before you consider a Microcenter/Adata SSD - read this:
http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2126256

I installed an Adata S599 64GB from Newegg into my BIL's machine, and it's been having troubles.

 

[nyker96]

I recommend a amd athlon x4 over a dual core. this quad isn't made for gaming, I recently got another and replaced my parent's old machine, although they only do web browsing, the start up and practically everything is so much smoother they really noticed. it's about 40 over a dual core athlon x2 and I think comparing to overall cost of the machine it's a good 40 to spend, makes your machine more future proof as well.

 

[Rifter]

I would go x4 as well