I currently own a Compaq 5310 computer that's about a year old. The specs are as follows:

1.2 GHz Celeron Processor
512MB RAM (forget/don't know which type)
CD-RW Drive
DVD-ROM Drive
ATI Radeon 8500LE video card (AGP)
Creative Audigy Gamer sound card (PCI)

I have been thinking about upgrading the CPU, but don't even know if that's possible. Does anyone know if it's upgradeable, and if so, how high can I take it (I do NOT want to get into overclocking). Or do I need a whole new motherboard? I'm trying to avoid buying a whole new system.

Any assistance here is appreciated!

Regards,
Michael

Mike,

Why upgrade? It sounds like a relatively good config/machine? Are you wanting to run CAD/CAM type applications or what? I would think that this PC would more than drive most of the games out there.

<font color="#ffccff">You really need to post what kind (make and model) of motherboard you have before you can know if you can upgrade the CPU. </font>

Not really being an expert, I would guess that the determining factor will be th mobo. It will dictate the extent to which you can upgrade your processor and RAM. My advice would be to investigate the limitations of the mobo. The rest of your periferals seem pretty much OK.

Specifically, you need to know the front side bus speed (100 MHz or 133 MHz or ?) and the mobo supported clock multipliers (8x, 12.5x, ect). Since you already have a Celeron you are probably locked into Celerons (don't know of mobos that Intel and AMD of Celeron(AMDs eq) class). The fastest Celeron you can get is FSB x Multiplier.

Magik: I really like your little quote/joke in your signiture. It brought a smile to my face. [img]smile.gif[/img]

Don't even bother trying to upgrade this - Compaq is famous for proprietary components. I'll bet the CPU is soldered to the mobo.

Buy a case w/300 power supply, a new mobo and cpu, as well as DDR memory. You can then plug in your old HD, CD, keyboard, mouse, and so-on.