So, there's no way I can OC my processor?

[MrK6]

I'd only buy a new one if I could sell my current one to lessen the large cost. If I screwed up, I'd be out of some money.

Then don't screw up .

Computer hardware isn't nearly as fragile as it may seem, and it's pretty hard to mess it up as long as you do what you're supposed to. That said, you have to be comfortable with what you're doing, and only do it if you are.

 

[peonyu]

I'm not comfortable with my hardware tampering skills to try out a lot of the suggestions here. Haha, if I were I'd probably already have a custom built rig instead of a pre-made Pavilion and not have to deal with this issue.

So it seems I'd have to pay for an upgrade processor like the Q9650 (while selling the Q6600) or start from scratch with a new setup. I'll hold tight for now. Thanks fellas for all of your help.

You could instead just buy a different motherboard. Socket 775 is old now but performance wise they still hold they're own with a overclocked cpu...Get your cpu to 3.4ghz+ and it will last another year for you atleast.

As far as boards go, I have had very good luck with Gigabyte's EP45-UD3L and the P5b deluxe board [oldy but a goody]. Both of those boards overclock like crazy from inside the Bios...The options they have are actually to much and you can break your cpu if you are not careful.

All you need to do is swap the boards if you go this route. If you can take a car tire off and screw it back on you can do the same with a motherboard =p

 

[bryanW1995]

hard mods = free
new mobo = $50-75 probably
new cpu = $300 for one that is faster, probably $150-200 for a used upgrade.
new i7 750 rig with quad core cpu/ram/mobo would probably be ~ $350 if you couldn't find any deals, less if you find some deals, plus you could sell off your cpu/mobo/ram for ~100 +. This would be easy to oc to 3.2-3.5 with stock cooling, 4.0+ with aftermarket cooling with no hard mods necessary.

I'd either go hard mod or just uprade the system. cpu drop in is a waste of money and wouldn't give you nearly the performance jump of a system upgrade.

here is an apples to apples comparison of i7 750 vs q6600. even at stock the i7 750 smokes the q6600, when you factor in oc you should get 50 - 75% improvement.

 

[Bman123]

Just buy a used p45 board and call it a day man.