Preparation"I’d like to upgrade my old computer...."
Frequently, adding more memory is the least expensive way to increase the performance of a system.
Hardware and software components change consistently and quickly. Figuring out what you need will take time and reading.
Preparation
The easiest place to start is with your current motherboard’s manual and system invoice.
Compare the components with today’s standards.
Upgrading with memory
Frequently, adding more memory is the least expensive way to increase the performance of a system. The cost of memory has decreased considerably over the last few years. Watch the market for prices and quality.
There are multiple grades of memory available. Grade A memory is designed to work as board and original memory manufacturers’ intend. Lower grades (B, C, and D) fail to pass one or more standards that Grade A memory meets. These lower grades are found in the generic or major-on-third market. You may find a lower grade that will work with your board.
Note: If you have a Packard Bell machine, take your computer to a local reseller. It will save you time and money to have someone with multiple resources find the proper product for you.
Newer Athlon, Super7 and SC-242 motherboards use 168-pin DIMMs. 72-pin SIMMs and 30-pin SIMMs are no longer common on the market. If you need 72-pin SIMMs or 30-pin SIMMs, you should be able to find some at a local retail store or through a company such as Crucial Technology , a division of Micron.
Changing processors
Another relatively inexpensive way to upgrade is changing your processor. Confirm with your motherboard manual what speed and voltage processor it will accept.
Intel designed Overdrive processors for socket 5 and socket 7 Pentium motherboards, as well as socket 8 Pentium Pro motherboards. The most recent addition to the Overdrive line incorporated MMX (TM) technology. You may use these processors on older motherboards that either 1) did not originally support MMX technology or 2) could only accept limited processor speeds.
Note: OverDrive processors are discontinued.
Intel Pentium Pro Overdrive Processors takes the Pentium Pro up to a Pentium II 333 MHz.
When Intel introduced the Celeron processor, it was initially released to work in the slot 1, or SC-242 slot, on motherboards. Many system integrators built systems around the Celeron and the same motherboards that supported Pentium II processors. If you have a Celeron system, check to see if your motherboard accepts higher Celeron processors.
If you think you have a motherboard that supports processors currently on the market, you may be able to swap processors. For instance, if you purchased an Intel Celeron 300 MHz system, then you may be able to upgrade the motherboard BIOS and change the processor to a Celeron 433 MHz. Check in your motherboard manual for compatibility. If the motherboard manual does not give clear information, check on the motherboard manufacturer website.
Modifying the basics
If you decided that it’s a better investment to change multiple components, then you get to do a bit more reading.
Consider how you are planning on using the system, and how long you’re going to keep it. If you are going to keep your system for a few years, you may want to purchase the most power you can afford for the time. Parts become obsolete quickly. If you purchase below the current standards, you may not be able to upgrade in a few months.
Many web sites post technical information. These may help you find a category of processor and board that are close to your interests. Another good source is talking with people who have the same expectations of their system as you. Newsgroups list problems people have had with components and possible ways to solve the difficulty.
Where do I go for help?
One of the best places to find information is on the manufacturers’ web sites. They list their product requirements, compatibility with other components, and some places to buy.
If I'm going from a Pentium to a Pentium III system, what changes do I need to consider?
Pentium motherboards are manufactured in multiple form factors. The most common form factors are AT and ATX. AT style motherboards use AT style cases. ATX style motherboards use ATX style cases. For detailed form factor information go to http://www.teleport.com/atx
Manufacturers are designing new boards in ATX form factor. The ATX form factor allows for use of full length cards; has built on parallel and serial connectors; PS/2 mouse and PS/2 keyboard connectors are on the I/O template; and they have Molex connectors for ATX power supply. Most Pentium III motherboards are ATX.
LPX and NLX form factors are also available. See teleport for specifications.
If I'm going from a Pentium II to a Pentium III system, what changes do I need to consider?
Pentium III processors have special requirements that not all Pentium II motherboards may support.
Contact the motherboard manufacturer for more details.
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