Upgrading...How To...

[DubOSv10]

Hey everyone...

Well basically I have a few systems lying around that I am planning on upgrading, and I had a question about it...

I basically have 2 Desktops and a Laptop (soon to be two)...Now the Laptops I'm just gonna add a bit of RAM to both of em...But for the Desktops I wanted to explore the possibility of Upgrading the CPU and adding RAM...

The only Problem I have is that the machines came pre-assembled, one is from Dell adn one is from CTX, I have the Dell model number, and Specs, but not the CTX one, although I could prolly remember if I had a reference or something...

My main question is, how do I figure out what type of Motherboard/Chipset I have so I know how much RAM and what CPU I can upgrade to?

Thanks For any help...

 

[Notquiteanewbie]

When I'm ever confused about the hardware on a pc, I like to use a nifty little program called "belarc advisor." It runs an audit on your pc and inventories everything from hardware to software.

you can get it at
http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html

 

[Mad_Pyro]

I'd be very afraid to try to upgrade a cpu in a Dell motherboard. I'd just buy a new motherboard. However, then the PSU from the Dell wouldn't work.

 

[Burning Phoenix]

How old are the systems you are trying to upgrade?
If they are AT (not ATX) cases then forget it. Otherwise you'll be buying a new ATX case also.

AS for RAM you sometimes can search the web for the #'s off them to see what type and size they are. Most MB's in the past few years are upgradable to 2gig.

AS for CPU's you can definitely tell the difference in socket types.
If it is a newer P4 MB then you may have to do some checking on the model # because they have 3 FSB chips in the last 2 years.