3.16GHZ Core2Duo CPU second hand off ebay , a bad idea ?

[s8n]

hi guys , more second computer is lacking some CPU power its a 2.2Ghz C2Duo.


Ive seen on ebay second hand CPU's and was wondering is purchasing one and exchanging it with my current one a bad idea ?

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Intel-Cor...item51b4f4a864


also im worried about 2 more things , my 2.2 is really stable are these ones on ebay reliable ? i dont want crashes and reboots etc............

and power consumption , i dont think my PSU can take much more power taken from it its 380W from memory will a 3.16Ghz CPU take more power ?



any info is great

[Ziggy]

All the power specs and whatnot can be found on Intel's site, but what would be more useful is to use a PSU calculator like this one:

http://images10.newegg.com/BizIntell/to ... index.html

Just plug in all your computer parts and it'll spit out how many watts you should have.

What's more important though is this: Find out if your motherboard can handle the CPU you plan to upgrade to. If it's a prebuilt computer (Dell, HP, Compaq, ect) then you DEFINITELY don't wanna assume you can just go ahead and upgrade. If it's a custom build or prebuilt, check the manufacture's website to see. You'll most likely need a BIOS update. Check first. It's a pain in the ass to install a new CPU, have it not work, have to put the old one back in to update the BIOS, then reinstall the new one again.

If you need more help beyond this, list exactly what model computer you have. If it's a custom build, list exactly what components you have.

I've bought second hand CPUs from eBay numerous times, never had a problem. Just like anything else on eBay, make sure the seller has good feedback and whatnot. If it doesn't look like they sell a lot of CPUs, then you might wanna ask how they plan to ship it (anti static bag and proper packaging). It was more of a problem with the older CPUs that had pins on them, I've gotten some in with bend pins before. The Core 2 line, IIRC, don't have pins (the socket now has the pins) so you don't have to worry about having them bent up in shipping.

Also, your eBay link doesn't work.

[s8n]

hi Ziggy , that PSU calculator is fantastic ! i just ran it and im getting 292 W thats without 3 12V cooling fans and 2 cathodes.

What's more important though is this: Find out if your motherboard can handle the CPU you plan to upgrade to

i believe my Asus P5K-SE can handle the new CPU , checkout my manual below

check the manufacture's website to see. You'll most likely need a BIOS update. Check first. It's a pain in the ass to install a new CPU, have it not work, have to put the old one back in to update the BIOS, then reinstall the new one again.

thanks for the tip , i think its worth a shot to go up approx 1Ghz in speed.


roger that on the rest of the info and tips given ..........thanks for your input Ziggy you've been fantastic as always


the link is toast i just tried it , i think this should work.........

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Intel-Core-2 ... 51b4f4a864


manual

[s8n]

i just checked the Asus website for my MB and in the CPU list it supports it............sweet

[Ziggy]

i just checked the Asus website for my MB and in the CPU list it supports it............sweet

Right, but just check the BIOS updates. The mobo supports the CPU now, but that doesn't automatically mean your BIOS version will. Get what I'm saying? Look through the BIOS updates and see if any mention new CPU code. Update to the latest BIOS if needed.

You often read that you shouldn't update the BIOS unless you actually need to. But in this case, if you look up the BIOS revisions and you see anything mentioning CPU in revisions AFTER the version you have now, then I say just update it and be done.




The eBay item you linked, there's really no description. I wouldn't buy that unless I messaged the seller first. Ask if it's in full working order, and if it's guaranteed against DOA. And ask if he'll ship it properly (anti static packaging).

[s8n]

Right, but just check the BIOS updates. The mobo supports the CPU now, but that doesn't automatically mean your BIOS version will. Get what I'm saying? Look through the BIOS updates and see if any mention new CPU code. Update to the latest BIOS if needed.

You often read that you shouldn't update the BIOS unless you actually need to. But in this case, if you look up the BIOS revisions and you see anything mentioning CPU in revisions AFTER the version you have now, then I say just update it and be done.

roger that and understood

The eBay item you linked, there's really no description. I wouldn't buy that unless I messaged the seller first. Ask if it's in full working order, and if it's guaranteed against DOA. And ask if he'll ship it properly (anti static packaging).

great tips there Ziggy if i buy from him or someone else i will use those tips as default.

[s8n]

update.......


Ziggy i got the CPU about 10 days ago and installed it , ive been running tests...... emulation a couple of PC games and Prime95.


I got no crashes or any other problems like that , the project was a great success with help from you.



thanks again for everything

s8n