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What determines processing speed, motherboard or processor?
Hie guys, I am green and still feeling my way around so please bear with me. For now I'd like to know what determines or limits a PC's processing speed? Is it the mobo or the processor or both? For example if my processor speed is currently 433Mhz can I upgrade it by simply replacing my old processor with a similar but higher spec'ed one or would there be a limitation with the make and model of the mobo? In other words what is the relationship between the make/model of the mobo and the processor(s) that one can instal thereon?
Also if someone can please direct me to where I can find all the necessary information, knowledge and schooling on motherboards (i.e. the socket 7s, 754s, AGPs, PCIs, BIOS & CMOS settings, jumper settings etc. Practically the whole works on motherboards). Nothing in-depth just the general stuff. Not discussion forums please cause thats like searching for a needle in a haystack, its not so easy to find specifically what one is looking for at any time.
CPU controls the processing power. Central PROCESSING unit. You need a motherboard that can support that type of CPU, so you can't really separate the two.
Artso I feel your pain, I am also green in this area but for sure you have to do a lot of research, you will find a lot of info in the net, there's free info and some no so cheap, but you will be amaized on all you could learn from the net, another way is hands on and by mistake, I am greatfull for the help this guys put on in the forum, you will get familiar after a little wile reading here and there, but finding a good book also will be good to have as a guide. Most important will be to go to the motherboard manufacture webside & also the PC one too, there you will find a lot of helpfull info, good luck dude.
Thanx guys (Midknyte & El Loco13) for your responses which I found helpful. Yes I guess there is no escaping a bit of "hard labour" research on the web if one is to build their knowledge hey? I suppose I was being a tard lazy and impatient. Also my access to the internet is not unlimited therefore does not promote extensive research periods.
That said tho, my specific enquiry for now is:
I have a custom built PC, put it together myself actually. It has a vt8501 motherboard manufactured by VIA Technologies Inc, an AMD-K6 433Mhz processor, 256MB ram, 40Gig HDD and am running Windows XP on it. The problem is the machine is slow/sluggish and has a hard time running some supposedly resource-hungry programs e.g. modern games and anti-virus software hence my need to upgrade the box.
Bearing in my that I do not have a limitless budget I need to know what item(s) to upgrade progressively to get some meaningful performance from it. In other words is my mobo good enough for XP (it runs) or must I replace it? If I keep it can I/must I upgrade (replace) my processor from the current 433Mhz? What is the highest possible in the compatible range of processors for my mobo? Is my RAM sufficient, and my 40Gig HDD? Any other items I should consider, and in what priority sequence?
Quite a mouthful hey?
You said you built it yourself then it shouldn't be a real headache if you're building a new one since you already know where goes where and how. The thing w/ the latest of processors or ram or mobos is still, compatibality. Knowing what sort of memory or cpu goes into which mobo, but I trust you're already familiar w/ that.
But it is true that sometimes keeping track of the newest, shiniest components require quite a lot of research even for hardened pc fans, which I'm not one of.
I'm very much like those rather new in this, still need to remind myself of all the jargons constantly.
Oh, and another thing if you're referring "modern games" to the latest titles out there, chances are you won't be able to run them on your current system.
I have a custom built PC, put it together myself actually. It has a vt8501 motherboard manufactured by VIA Technologies Inc, an AMD-K6 433Mhz processor, 256MB ram, 40Gig HDD and am running Windows XP on it. The problem is the machine is slow/sluggish and has a hard time running some supposedly resource-hungry programs e.g. modern games and anti-virus software hence my need to upgrade the box.
Bearing in my that I do not have a limitless budget I need to know what item(s) to upgrade progressively to get some meaningful performance from it. In other words is my mobo good enough for XP (it runs) or must I replace it? If I keep it can I/must I upgrade (replace) my processor from the current 433Mhz? What is the highest possible in the compatible range of processors for my mobo? Is my RAM sufficient, and my 40Gig HDD? Any other items I should consider, and in what priority sequence?
Quite a mouthful hey?
it is not worth upgrading this system. i have seen used intel p4/amd xp boxes for as low as $50us and these would be faster than you can upgrade your current system.
the only thing you can save would be the external hardware (kb, mouse, speaker, monitor) and maybe the case. the case would be questionable since it lack many of the features of the new cases (front usb, sound, firewire port etc.). new systems are actually fairly cheaper to build compare to even a few years ago since they have many features integrated into the mobo (nic, sound, firewire). depending on your requirements, some mobo with integrated graphic might be enough for your need (onboard graphics have come a long way in the past few years).
what is your budget? and what are your intended use for this system? from that you can determine if you need an intel or amd based system. amd is still price competitive for lower end system.
What determines processing speed, motherboard or processor?
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