What's the best LGA775 CPU Unit?

[Coolzrock]

Okay. I have ASUS P5-KPLAM SE (Special Edition). It has Socket 775 processor, and i currently have a crappy single-core Intel Pentium IV, with 3.4Ghz Speed, 2MB Cache.

I was wondering what is the fastest (best) processor for LGA 775 unit.

Thanks!

[jlreich]

Without going with the expensive extreme edition CPU the Q9650 is the best s775 CPU. The Q9550 is a great compromise for dollar to performance ratio.

If those are out of your price range then any Core2 duo or quad will be a great improvement over your current CPU. Just get the best you can afford.

Though you will likely need to update your BIOS for proper support for either one. Also a good idea to make sure the board supports your new CPU choice before purchasing. Though I can find the board still being sold at Newegg I cannot find it at Asus's site. You may need to shoot them an email to get a CPU support list and the latest BIOS.

[Coolzrock]

Without going with the expensive extreme edition CPU the Q9650 is the best s775 CPU. The Q9550 is a great compromise for dollar to performance ratio.

If those are out of your price range then any Core2 duo or quad will be a great improvement over your current CPU. Just get the best you can afford.

Though you will likely need to update your BIOS for proper support for either one. Also a good idea to make sure the board supports your new CPU choice before purchasing. Though I can find the board still being sold at Newegg I cannot find it at Asus's site. You may need to shoot them an email to get a CPU support list and the latest BIOS.

Yes it is not found at ASUS.
This is special edition (SE), and it can be found like P5KPL-AM.

Thanks tho. I've seen some guys running a Quad Core processor on this motherboard.

[jlreich]

SE or not Asus should have the files for it on their site but they do not. The only exception is if it is an OEM board but that does not seem to be the case or you wouldn't be able find it on Newegg.

The search at Asus's site came up with a CM version, I think it was. It is likely those files will work. The drivers are one thing but I would want to be doubly sure before attempting to flash the BIOS.

I've seen some guys running a Quad Core processor on this motherboard.

That doesn't mean your board has a BIOS version high enough to properly support whatever CPU you end up choosing. If the current BIOS doesn't have the proper microcode to support a given CPU then you can run into issues. You might very well plop it in and have no problems, but maybe the system may not even boot or start crashing on you, or may not recognize it properly and set the FSB or multiplier wrong.

Check the CPU support list for the CM version. If the CPU you choose if supported by your current BIOS version it is fairly likely that you will be OK since they are the same family of board.