CPU question

[scOtt]

I have a new system that is pretty stable now. All Asus MBs and video. It's a Core i3 processor. Dual core, hyprethreaded to show 4 CPUs.

I can upgrade on this MB to i5 or i7. If I would... Does it change my Windows^TM setup? Can I just swap chips and just boot up like it's tomorrow?

[sbauer]

I have a new system that is pretty stable now. All Asus MBs and video. It's a Core i3 processor. Dual core, hyprethreaded to show 4 CPUs.

I can upgrade on this MB to i5 or i7. If I would... Does it change my Windows^TM setup? Can I just swap chips and just boot up like it's tomorrow?

Which version of Windows are you using? I think you should be OK. You shouldn't have to change anything and it shouldn't change too much behind the scenes. Windows will have to adjust because of the new CPU, but I think Windows becomes a little more confused when you swap motherboards.

[scOtt]

Which version of Windows are you using? I think you should be OK. You shouldn't have to change anything and it shouldn't change too much behind the scenes. Windows will have to adjust because of the new CPU, but I think Windows becomes a little more confused when you swap motherboards.

Thanks Shane! I missed this yesterday.

I'm running XP Pro, I think service pack 47...

[srock]

The cpu shouldn't be a problem, but our new bottleneck will be memory. Your 32 bit XP can only address ~3GB RAM.

So it will all work fine, but you won't get the performance gain you expect because most i7 machines are 64 bit Windows 7 and 6 GB RAM.

[scOtt]

The cpu shouldn't be a problem, but our new bottleneck will be memory. Your 32 bit XP can only address ~3GB RAM.

So it will all work fine, but you won't get the performance gain you expect because most i7 machines are 64 bit Windows 7 and 6 GB RAM.

Yeah, I don't know if I'll do this or not. I know about the mem, only 4GB on my current system. I have the money but don't even know if it would be worth it to me. The only games I play are Civ 4 and 5 and a pool game that isn't real new. Nothing real intense.

And I HATE learning a new OS! But... if I upgraded the CPU then I'd buy a buttload of RAM and get the new windows.



Side question... how is 64-bit Windows at playing old games? Some of them REALLY old... like '90's. Is there a 32-bit compatible app?

[crowmst3k!]

Side question... how is 64-bit Windows at playing old games? Some of them REALLY old... like '90's. Is there a 32-bit compatible app?

That's a vague question. It still has compatibility mode for old Windows 95 games that works reasonably well (I can play Command and Conquer just fine in Windows 7 64), but it can be dodgy with some.

If you meant DOS games, I recommend using Dos Box. It's a kick-ass, perfect emulator. I use it to play X-Com UFO Defense all the time.

Also, if you want to play the classics, I recommend going to GOG.Com, all of their games have special emulation to run perfectly in Windows 7. They have a robust library of titles, too.

[scOtt]

That's a vague question. It still has compatibility mode for old Windows 95 games that works reasonably well (I can play Command and Conquer just fine in Windows 7 64), but it can be dodgy with some.

If you meant DOS games, I recommend using Dos Box. It's a kick-ass, perfect emulator. I use it to play X-Com UFO Defense all the time.

Also, if you want to play the classics, I recommend going to GOG.Com, all of their games have special emulation to run perfectly in Windows 7. They have a robust library of titles, too.

Thanks crow and everyone else for the help. The only DOS games are a Risk clone and EdChess. 95 compatibility should work.

[weams]

Yeah, I don't know if I'll do this or not. I know about the mem, only 4GB on my current system. I have the money but don't even know if it would be worth it to me. The only games I play are Civ 4 and 5 and a pool game that isn't real new. Nothing real intense.

And I HATE learning a new OS! But... if I upgraded the CPU then I'd buy a buttload of RAM and get the new windows.



Side question... how is 64-bit Windows at playing old games? Some of them REALLY old... like '90's. Is there a 32-bit compatible app?

Windows seven is worth learning.

[crowmst3k!]

Windows seven is worth learning.

ScOtt, for a modest fee, I can do any of these computer upgrades, repairs for you, install a new OS, etc. Say....50 bucks and a couple of beers.

[scOtt]

ScOtt, for a modest fee, I can do any of these computer upgrades, repairs for you, install a new OS, etc. Say....50 bucks and a couple of beers.

Been building, maintaining my own systems for 15+ years. I'd def buy you a beer tho! Anytime. Anywhere.

[crowmst3k!]

Been building, maintaining my own systems for 15+ years. I'd def buy you a beer tho! Anytime. Anywhere.

Deal! I'll take that beer.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using Tapatalk 2

[srock]

Yeah, I don't know if I'll do this or not. I know about the mem, only 4GB on my current system. I have the money but don't even know if it would be worth it to me. The only games I play are Civ 4 and 5 and a pool game that isn't real new. Nothing real intense.

And I HATE learning a new OS! But... if I upgraded the CPU then I'd buy a buttload of RAM and get the new windows.



Side question... how is 64-bit Windows at playing old games? Some of them REALLY old... like '90's. Is there a 32-bit compatible app?

You should be able to Google around for specific games to see if they work. They should work, btw.

Windows 7 is to XP what OSX was to...well...Windows XP. Its definitely worth upgrading.

Civ 5 (and 4 in its own right) are surprisingly resource intensive. I am still playing Civ 4 because the Mac version of Civ 5 is brutally slow. And honesty, Civ 4 is still more fun

[scOtt]

Windows 7 is to XP what OSX was to...well...Windows XP. Its definitely worth upgrading.

And I split this up for effect...

OSX is the Apple OS, right? You're saying XP to 7 is Windows to Apple? Bill finally found a clue???

[scOtt]

Civ 5 (and 4 in its own right) are surprisingly resource intensive. I am still playing Civ 4 because the Mac version of Civ 5 is brutally slow. And honesty, Civ 4 is still more fun

I can see where Civ is intense. You can get into some pretty big worlds, where all the sides have hundreds, thousands of units. That have to be checked and up graded, EVERY turn.


And I still prefer IV to V too! IV is the latest greatest iteration from Sid! I just wish they'd get Elvis back into the game...

"and the people live happily in your kingdom!"

[srock]

And I split this up for effect...

OSX is the Apple OS, right? You're saying XP to 7 is Windows to Apple? Bill finally found a clue???

I still prefer OSX to Win 7, but 7 is a huge leap forward for Windows. To bad people had to suffer that one released between the two.

Internet Explore is still the devil and reason enough to hate microsoft.