processor upgrade/replacement

[Spartan Erik]

i was wondering if any of yall knew any companies that can have people install new processing chips inside computers for a reasonable price

i dont plan on upgrading my computer (this one im using) since its quite fast; i want to upgrade my parent's computer's processor (1.3 ghz intel pentium 4) to at least a 2.6 since they always complain about it being sluggish

ive found some friends who can do ram upgrades for me, but nobody knows how to do any processor chip upgrades/replacements

[bigguy]

If I lived closer to you I would do it for you. But seeing as I dont, any computer shop would do this but your better of going to one of the small town shops instead of a big name brand computer store.The small town computer store will have better service because they need your business the big corporations, all they want is your money.

It really doesnt take much to do. Make sure you have completely drained all power out of the system. By this I mean turn it off,switch your power supply off and hit your on button on the computer. Doing this ensures that all the power on the board and in the components is completely drained. Make sure to wear a static wrist protector to when opening up your case and fooling around inside, one jolt of static electricity and the component your touching is fried.

Next unplug and carefully remove the heatsink from the top of the processor. Most heat sinks are on with a little metal strap that is clipped to the side of the processor seat. Push down on it and in toward the processor. Be careful not to slide the metal bracket across any part of the board, this could ruin it. The heat sink should be off at this point.

Next is the processor, on the side of the processor seat there should be a little metal arm that if pushed down and out should release from the side of the seat. Pull this arm up (dont force it, if it doesnt come up then you have not unlocked it ) and lift the processor out.

Now replace it with the new one, drop the heat sink on and plug it in (All the time your doing this you have your static wrist protection on) Close the side of your case and now you should be able to turn on your computer with the new upgraded chip in it. Turn it on and see if it runs if you need your bios flashed make sure to follow all the instructions on the manufacturers website as to how to go about this.

These instructions may vary from computer to computer, they are just a general set of guildlines. PLEASE IF YOUR NOT SURE THEN DON`T in this case it would be better to get someone else to do it.

[Spartan Erik]

awesome thanks!
ill check it out and see if i can do it myself when i get home
if the computer is different from the generalized rules you're describing ill probably call up a computer shop and get some estimates..

i have another question, how do you install ram? i know it comes in a long rectangular chip that you'd stick into the side of the motherboard, but im sure theres much more to that than i think..

[bigguy]

Ram has a clip on either side of it holding it in place. (at either end) unclip it and it should pull striaght up and out. Take note of the groves in the bottom of the ram chip and when putting in the new one make sure it goes in the same way.

It also has to be compatible with the ram in your system or if replacing all the ram it has to be compatible with the system. A good program to have to tell you what type of ram and all other system parts is "everest" It`ll tell you everything.


PLEASE BE CAREFUL WITH YOUR COMPUTER, IF YOU DONT KNOW WHAT TO DO OR ARE UNSURE THEN DONT

[NewFuture]

one tip make sure yourt motherboard can cope with the new model, and the speed, i would also buy a new heatsink if its fairly old

[dumbedout]

just get a new computer. why bother with the mess

[Spartan Erik]

just get a new computer. why bother with the mess

its much cheaper to replace parts than to buy an entirely new computer
its wasteful haha

and to new future, the motherboard is pretty recent.. the computer was brand new in year 2001.. ill probably get everest and find out all the specs