How to Find the Fastest Processor for Your Motherboard
Computers these days require much more computing power. Your home computer may feel slow and sluggish. If buying a new computer is on your mind, reconsider: you might be able to dramatically increase performance through a CPU upgrade. The CPU is the workhorse of all computers; it tells the other components what to do. A faster CPU will improve your computer's performance and allow you to get things done faster, plus it's the fraction of the price of a new system.
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Instructions
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Finding the fastest CPU
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Identify the make and model of your motherboard.
Printed directly on the motherboard is the name of the manufacturer and the model number. If you cannot find the make or model number on the motherboard, try using a system diagnostic program such as System Information Viewer. Run the System Information program and click on the bottom tab where it says "machine."
This program gives you a lot of system information, but for now we are looking only for the make and model. This information is located in upper part of the new window. Search for "system" in the new window. Read across, from left to right. The first thing you see will be the model number. The second will be the manufacturer's name. -
2
Identify the socket size for the CPU in your motherboard.
Go to the manufacturer's website and search for the model number. Alternatively, you could search for the make and model at an online computer store such as Newegg or Tiger Direct. These sites show the specifications of your motherboard and, most importantly, the CPU socket size. Refer to the "List of CPU sockets and slots" resource for a list of common CPUs and corresponding socket types. -
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3
Search for a CPU that fits that socket size and has optimal speed.
Now that you know your CPU socket size, it's time to figure out the fastest CPU you can put in your motherboard. Even though there are some very fast CPUs, your motherboard might not have the ability to run the latest and fastest CPU on the market. If you searched for your motherboard's make and model at an online computer store, you more than likely saw a few CPU suggestions from the store. The main things you are looking for are number of core processors, Ghz, and cache size. For all of these things, the rule is that more is better --- more Ghz, more core processors, and the number of cache you have available will be the way you will know if you have the fastest processor for your motherboard.
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Tips & Warnings
If you are using the System Information Viewer Program, when you click on the "machine" tab you will see in the new window on the left hand side "cpu0/cpu1." Read from left to right and it will tell you the model name of the CPU currently in your machine. Search for this CPU in one of the online stores. When you find it, you should be able to see the specifications and socket type.
Remember the socket size and manufacturer's specifications. If you buy the incorrect CPU for you socket type, you have a chance of damaging the motherboard.
