Upgrading Computer processor

[ManDAmyth]

My friend and I were looking at getting the MBox 2 to incoporate into our set up. The computer we have and are going to use it and Pro Tools LE on has a processor that doesn't meet the minimum system requirements.

How do you upgrade a processor?

Do you need a new motherboard to upgrade the processor?

Can we upgrade the processor ourselves? Or do we have to take it to a shop?

Will upgrading the processor effect the hard drive?


Thanks.

 

[M!nd_Ctrl]

You will most likely need a new motherboard to upgrade (I don't know your specs and I'm assuming the computer is at least a few years old). And you can do everything yourself, just make sure you're careful and discharge the static electricity in your body before touching anything. Go to google and type "processor upgrade guide" for some links. Also, make sure you read about the chipsets that are not supported here:

http://www.digidesign.com/compato/xp/mbox2/

The processor won't affect the contents of you're hard drive, but a computer with a fast processor and older components is pointless. Plus you'll need a 7200 RPM hard drive anyway (preferably a secondary drive). If you have to buy a new motherboard you'll most likely need faster memory which will cost you even more money. Honestly, you're probably better off buying a new computer.

Good Luck.


Ctrl

 

[Honesty]

... if you're processor doesn't meet the minimum requirements, then most likely you should get a whole new system. I say that because upgrading the processor would be like putting a V8 engine in a volkswagen. Everything else is still slow. Also, a good computer system can be had for $600 now. Now that I'm in your pocket, but if you can put out $450 for the Mbox, you could probably put out for a computer system...

Just a thought...

 

[trez260]

... if you're processor doesn't meet the minimum requirements, then most likely you should get a whole new system. I say that because upgrading the processor would be like putting a V8 engine in a volkswagen. Everything else is still slow. Also, a good computer system can be had for $600 now. Now that I'm in your pocket, but if you can put out $450 for the Mbox, you could probably put out for a computer system...

Just a thought...

i'd have to co-sign this one. the computer that i'm on now is a P3(pentium 3 processor), most recording program requires a p3 at the very least, so if you're dealing with is less than a P3, and you're considering purchasing a new processor, (which could run $300 or $400 easy) it'll probly be in your best interest just save a lil more and get a new system all together. Peace.

 

[GhostChamberz]

Socket 939 Motherboard Asus A8N-SLI Deluxe + AMD Athlon 64 3500+

And Windows XP 64 (64 Bits)

and make sure u get a dope Heatsink And fan that fits your Processor, In other words it has to fit the Socket 939

Just an example, u could always go Intel too but then u wanna go socket 478


How do you upgrade a processor?

its common to upgrade the motherboard at the same time, get a dope new motherboard that supports the CPU u wanna get, go online n find out how u apply thermal paste to your cpu(the paste will be inbetween your cpu and your heatsink and READ CAREFULLY, installing a new CPU is quite easy, just b careful the first time, you will find it all in the manual of the motherboard or CPU
Be very careful when u connect the heatsink, too much pressure can damage the core of the CPU.

Do you need a new motherboard to upgrade the processor?

No, but its common to do so, and trust me, u dont wanna stick to a motherboard that only supports a P3, the most important thing is that the motherboard and CPU u gonna use is using the same Socket, for example, Intel P4 2.8 ghz uses Socket 478 and AMD Athlon 64 3500+ is Socket 939 (this cpu supports 64 Bit Windows)

Can we upgrade the processor ourselves? Or do we have to take it to a shop?
Its not that hard to do, and its cheaper to do it yourself, but i recommend u watch someone do it the first time, but it aint really rocket science

Will upgrading the processor effect the hard drive?
Nope, but..... if u upgrade a cpu... u normally have to reinstall the OS , so i would suggest u get a new quick harddisc for your C: (OS) and once uve setup that new harddisc with a fresh OS on it u can then later on put in your old Harddrive so u got 2 Harddiscs, 1 for the OS and 1 for storage. if u only got 1 Disc u may wanna do a partition

I hope that helps a little man, sorry if i forgot anything its 6 in da morning bout to go to work, Peace

 

[O-H-TEN]

One more thing to think about.. You have to make sure that whatever cpu you want to buy will be compatible with the motherboard that you have. I don't know which mobo you have; but I know that most of the older mobo's will not work with cpu's over 1ghz; depending on what you have. Just slapping in a new cpu is not going to be the total solution to upgrading. You will need faster ram if your mobo can handle it. Most older mobo's only have a fsb of 133mhz max; so even if you change the cpu it will only be able to run as fast as the mobo and the ram allow it. You will probably have to upgrade your BIOS also to accomodate the new processor. Give us some more specs on what you have now then maybe we can help you out some more.
ONE

 

[Equality 7-2521]

get someone to build you an Allenstein machine.

 

[trez260]

Socket 939 Motherboard Asus A8N-SLI Deluxe + AMD Athlon 64 3500+

And Windows XP 64 (64 Bits)

and make sure u get a dope Heatsink And fan that fits your Processor, In other words it has to fit the Socket 939

Just an example, u could always go Intel too but then u wanna go socket 478


How do you upgrade a processor?

its common to upgrade the motherboard at the same time, get a dope new motherboard that supports the CPU u wanna get, go online n find out how u apply thermal paste to your cpu(the paste will be inbetween your cpu and your heatsink and READ CAREFULLY, installing a new CPU is quite easy, just b careful the first time, you will find it all in the manual of the motherboard or CPU
Be very careful when u connect the heatsink, too much pressure can damage the core of the CPU.

Do you need a new motherboard to upgrade the processor?

No, but its common to do so, and trust me, u dont wanna stick to a motherboard that only supports a P3, the most important thing is that the motherboard and CPU u gonna use is using the same Socket, for example, Intel P4 2.8 ghz uses Socket 478 and AMD Athlon 64 3500+ is Socket 939 (this cpu supports 64 Bit Windows)

Can we upgrade the processor ourselves? Or do we have to take it to a shop?
Its not that hard to do, and its cheaper to do it yourself, but i recommend u watch someone do it the first time, but it aint really rocket science

Will upgrading the processor effect the hard drive?
Nope, but..... if u upgrade a cpu... u normally have to reinstall the OS , so i would suggest u get a new quick harddisc for your C: (OS) and once uve setup that new harddisc with a fresh OS on it u can then later on put in your old Harddrive so u got 2 Harddiscs, 1 for the OS and 1 for storage. if u only got 1 Disc u may wanna do a partition

I hope that helps a little man, sorry if i forgot anything its 6 in da morning bout to go to work, Peace

let me ask you a question man. i found a barebone kit that includes the amd 64 3700 with a 1gig ddr. would it be best to get the amd 64 dual core processor, for the sake that i'll be using the same pc for other things other than just music, or would the 64 3700 be sufficient?

 

[GhostChamberz]

if u can afford it i would definately get a dual core CPU, i saw a shutlle the other day (XPC Barebone SD31P) that supported both 64-bit Intel and dual-core processors. If u get one... chances are u wont b needing to upgrade it for a while , but just remember , shuttles only got 1 PCI slot if im not mistaken, but u dont really need any more if u are gonna dedicate it as a DAW Computer only, but as u said.. u are gonna use it for other things than music, so u gotta ask yaself if its enough with 1 PCI slot ( it might have 2 slots, u'll have to check)

64 3700+ is more than enough, i would get a 64 bit 3700+ and get 2 gb's of ram instead of gettin a dual cpu i think.

 

[trez260]

if u can afford it i would definately get a dual core CPU, i saw a shutlle the other day (XPC Barebone SD31P) that supported both 64-bit Intel and dual-core processors. If u get one... chances are u wont b needing to upgrade it for a while , but just remember , shuttles only got 1 PCI slot if im not mistaken, but u dont really need any more if u are gonna dedicate it as a DAW Computer only, but as u said.. u are gonna use it for other things than music, so u gotta ask yaself if its enough with 1 PCI slot ( it might have 2 slots, u'll have to check)

64 3700+ is more than enough, i would get a 64 bit 3700+ and get 2 gb's of ram instead of gettin a dual cpu i think.

I can tell you know that i'ma need more than one pci card fo sho..lol.

 

[MarkN]

i was recently considering the mbox and mbox 2 as an addition to system mainly so i could run pro tools my uni stuff runs thru mboxes aswell as digi 002s and control 24s etc but the seperate workstations are mboxes which are kewl but i'd look at the m-audio soundcards and the mpowered pro tools, i did and ive now got pro tools thru an m-audio soundcard get much more for my money this way !

 

[ManDAmyth]

I'm loving the M-Box 2. I've cranked out like four tracks with it and the results are fucking clean and I've only grasped the pinky finger of its full potential.