Newbie wanting to upgrade processor

[VinnyT]

I'm a novice at this, so be gentle. I have an emachines T1100. (Please don't laugh). It has been a great system for me. It has the Intel Pentium 3. I've upgraded the Ram to ...ahem ...256(was 128). I believe that is its max.? I installed a wireless PCI card and USB 2.0 4 port card. I have an 80 gig external hard drive, camera equip. with PC connectivity, etc. I want to install a 2.4 or 3.0 gig processor, but I know it is not as easy as removing one and installing another. Is this doable or should I just buy a new one? Any thoughts/suggestions would be appreciated! Thanks, V.

[bassman]

Hello VinnyT and welcome to http://www.pcguide.com/ubb/pcgubb.gif
Sorry my friend, you can not upgrade that machine as you are hoping. You would need to upgrade the mother board and RAM as well and then you will have to deal with "Proprietery" issues.
If you are happy with your keyboard, mouse and monitor, there are always nice deals on barebones cases. Add CPU of choice and some RAM and away you go (other parts in your Emachines are re-usable).

Good luck and let us know if there is anything else we can help with

[Fruss Tray Ted]

Your pc uses pc-100 memory and it can utilize up to 512megs.

The problem with installing any processor in the range you mention is the FSB will be wrong possibly amongst other issues. Plainly, you can't do it. You'd need a newer motherboard and memory for those processors.

you are probably looking at around a maximum processor of 1.4gig or somewhere abouts with a PIII.

Pre-Edit
Bassman, you type too fast!!! :D

[VinnyT]

I was told only 256. That would be great if I can do 512. I even contacted emachines live help and they were certain 256 is the most it could handle. I guess asking them was my first mistake. V

[VinnyT]

I forgot. My Motherboard users guide says it can support up to 256 MB of 100/133

[Fruss Tray Ted]

I've gone beyond what the manuals say in the past. Reading a review on your board, they mention 512 as max. Only way to know is to try it

[Bullman]

Here is what the Crucial (http://www.crucial.com/store/listparts.asp?Mfr%2BProductline=eMachines%2B+Deskt ops&mfr=eMachines&cat=RAM&model=T1100&submit=Go) website shows for you Model of PC. Should be able to handle 512 as FTT has said. :)

[saphalline]

Usually when working with a system that old, the only thing you can do to get more performance (as in a LOT more performance) is to replace the core, as was suggested. New mobo, CPU, and RAM. And since you have an eMachines, you'll also have to replace the case and power supply.

Of course, this is only if you want a significant boost in performance. I know you said you'd like a CPU faster than 2GHz, but do you need it? I need it, of course, but not everyone does. I'd just like to ask this question before you go spending gobs of money on more SDRAM (which is quite expensive now! :eek: ).