Motherboard/Processor

I have a computer with the specs below. I was thinking of getting a new motherboard and processor, since my card is good and my RAM is ok. I think I just could use a better processor. I have a couple of questions, though:
1. What kind of board would I have to buy that would still accept my current RAM and video card?
2. Does a board come with a correct/new BIOS?
3. Is this something a hardware novice like me can accomplish?

Thanks!
EVEREST Home Edition © 2003, 2004 Lavalys, Inc.

Version EVEREST v1.51.195
Homepage http://www.lavalys.com/
Report Type Report Wizard
Computer HOME
Generator Home Computer
Operating System Microsoft Windows XP Professional 5.1.2600 (WinXP Retail)
Date 2005-05-08
Time 21:10


Summary

Computer:
Operating System Microsoft Windows XP Professional
OS Service Pack Service Pack 2
Internet Explorer 6.0.2900.2180 (IE 6.0 SP2)
DirectX 4.09.00.0904 (DirectX 9.0c)
Computer Name HOME
User Name Home Computer

Motherboard:
CPU Type Intel Pentium 4, 1700 MHz (17 x 100)
Motherboard Name ECS P4VXAS2 (5 PCI, 1 AGP, 1 CNR, 3 DIMM, Audio)
Motherboard Chipset VIA VT8753A Apollo P4X266A
System Memory 640 MB (SDRAM)
BIOS Type Award Modular (01/15/02)
Communication Port Communications Port (COM1)
Communication Port Communications Port (COM2)
Communication Port ECP Printer Port (LPT1)

Display:
Video Adapter NVIDIA GeForce FX 5700LE (256 MB)
3D Accelerator nVIDIA GeForce FX 5700LE
Monitor Plug and Play Monitor [NoDB] (7213693)

Multimedia:
Audio Adapter Creative SB PCI128 (Ensoniq ES5880) Sound Card

Storage:
IDE Controller VIA Bus Master IDE Controller
Floppy Drive Floppy disk drive
Disk Drive SAMSUNG SV2042H (18 GB, 5400 RPM, Ultra-ATA/100)
Disk Drive Maxtor 6Y080P0 (80 GB, 7200 RPM, Ultra-ATA/133)
Optical Drive LG CD-ROM CRD-8521B (52x CD-ROM)
Optical Drive LG CD-RW CED-8080B (8x/4x/32x CD-RW)
SMART Hard Disks Status OK

Partitions:
C: (NTFS) 78159 MB (57540 MB free)
F: (NTFS) 19461 MB (5184 MB free)

Input:
Keyboard HID Keyboard Device
Keyboard HID Keyboard Device
Mouse HID-compliant mouse
Mouse PS/2 Compatible Mouse

Network:
Network Adapter Linksys LNE100TX Fast Ethernet Adapter(LNE100TX v4)
Modem Lucent Win Modem

Peripherals:
Printer hp psc 1200 series
USB1 Controller VIA VT83C572 PCI-USB Controller
USB1 Controller VIA VT83C572 PCI-USB Controller
USB1 Controller VIA VT83C572 PCI-USB Controller
USB Device USB Composite Device
USB Device USB Gaming Keyboard Pro
USB Device USB Human Interface Device
USB Device USB Human Interface Device


Debug - PCI

B00 D00 F00: VIA VT8753A Apollo P4X266A Chipset - System Controller

B00 D09 F00: Bridgecom Linksys LNE100TX Fast Ethernet Adapter


B00 D11 F00: VIA VT8233 PCI-ISA Bridge

00 00 00 00

B00 D11 F02: VIA VT83C572 PCI-USB Controller

00 00 00 00 00

B00 D11 F03: VIA VT83C572 PCI-USB Controller


B00 D11 F04: VIA VT83C572 PCI-USB Controller


B01 D00 F00: nVIDIA GeForce FX 5700LE Video Adapter


Debug - Video BIOS

C000:0000 U.~.K7400.L.w.VIDEO ....<.....IBM VGA Compatible........02/18/04
C000:0040 ........................�@``.......�.... ".........PMIDl.o.......
C000:0080 .....3...........�NV..(..|0 6.................T.P.'L...;.<zC/CCC
C000:00C0 ..7..m.........8.J.`...0W..jn6o>o^ovovo6o..8....................
C000:0100 .....B........m.m..............n.......oO..6(#..P2end bmp...PCIR
C000:0140 ..C.........~.......GeForce FX 5700LE BIOS...S..................
C000:0180 .....................................Version 4.36.20.30.01 ...Co
C000:01C0 pyright (C) 1996-2003 NVIDIA Corp...............................
C000:0200 ....................NV36 Board - p222-2n ..............Chip Rev
C000:0240 ....................1...`.&...6.;.p.....I...L.....>.a...R..le.
C000:0280 ..;.;.;...%...;.n...G.q.;...t...|...x.'.H.2.f`...jn.............
C000:02C0 ...u..fa....f`3....fa....C.+....V.......u.........8...t......2..
C000:0300 ...t..Q.........Y.f..7.... df.#....f........u...c.f..7...f......
C000:0340 ..u...c.f..7...f+.........u.S..q[.?i.fVf.......cfPf%......cfXf^.
C000:0380 fSf..fVf.......cf%....f.....`f...^cf^f[.fPf.......fX......f`...f
C000:03C0 ....`t.......f....f...h..$tf.....f3.f..f.......cf.....f.q.....cf


Debug - Unknown

Monitor MCN0BB2: Plug and Play Monitor [NoDB]



The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.

 

I'll make it easy on ya and just trade you for my system...

Seems to me that you are running a pretty strong system as it is. If you want to go to a faster processor check with the mobo maker and check to see what processors it can handle. If you just plug in a processor all the other cards on your system should still work. WOuld suggest that you check that your current fan is strong enough for the faster processor, heat sink also. Use thermal gel! If you get a new fan and it comes with a pad throw the pad away and use gel.

 

The limiting factor would seem to be RAM. Your motherboard takes PC100 or PC133 SDRAM. I doubt you will find M/Bs being sold with PC133 style RAM nowadays.

I tend to agree with jaylach. If you want a boost that will cover you for a while longer you can get a 478 pin P4 CPU at 2.4 Ghz.

CPU support table:
http://www.ecsusa.com/support/table_p4_400.html

If the motherboard is a PCB 2.0 it will run a P4 with a 533Mhz Front Side Bus:
http://www.ecsusa.com/support/table_p4.html

I think 1.7 to 2.4 would be a good boost.

Matt

 

How do I know if my PCB version is 1.0x or 2.0x?
How do I know if my fan is "good enough? "

If I bought the Pentium 4 you alluded to and kept my motherboard, is the swap something you think I could handle - I've changed hard drives, video cards, and RAM, but never messed with the motherboard......thanks.

 

Good question!
The specification pages are listed under P4VXAS2 V1.X and P4VXAS2 V2.X. The listings under downloads are P4VXAS2 PCB 1.X and P4VXAS2 PCB 2.X. They may have changed the terminology, but I would say that "V" = "PCB" and a lot of motherboard manufacturers use "Revision" or the "rev" number.
On the BIOS upgrade page it says "Please check the revision of your motherboard found stamped on your motherboard next to the model of you board.... ", so I think at ECS, "V" = "PCB" = "revision ".

Look at the model number printed on the motherboard.

Matt

 

If you purchased the processor "new" it should come with it's own heatsink and fan. The heatsink will have a Thermal Pad and they are relatively easy to install, the instructions will be included.
If you get the processor second-hand without the heatsink and fan, read the instructions/tutorial I put on Daanii's thread:
http://www.windowsbbs.com/showthread.php?t=44268
If you follow the instructions it is not very hard, you just have to be careful.

Matt