SO GUESS WHAT. My CPU sucks. The stock fan probably sucks too. Actually, it has been hitting near max temps a lot with gaming usually.

I decided to just replace it since it'd be cheaper than a new computer right now.

I know how to install them(not gonna lie, I checked Youtube but it seems pretty easy) and I'm wondering how to figure out what is compatible with my motherboard. Actually, I wanted to ask how to even check my motherboard(is opening it up the only option)?

This is my current processor: http://www.cpu-world.com/CPUs/K10/AMD-P ... K6DGR.html

Anyways, here's what I am thinking of.

http://www.amazon.com/AMD-FD8350FRHKBOX ... +processor
(It has the same exact wattage as my old one, 125)

And this guy for cooling(I know there's cooler fans(pun!) but my case is freaking jammed as it is THANKS HP):
http://www.amazon.com/Zalman-120mm-Cool ... an+amd+fan

I'm also planning on using the Zalman nail-polish-brush-esque thermal paste for easy application. Like painting a giant square nail.

Help? Advice? Thoughts?

Your type of motherboard is very important for deciding which processor to buy.

The problem is that you can put an AM3 CPU into an AM3+ motherboard, but not an AM3+ CPU into an AM3 motherboard.

Your current processor is AM3, but your new option is AM3+. I'm sure you can connect the dots of my concern.

Try using Everest to find out what motherboard you are using. The socket type is the important piece of information.

Thank you! I had no idea about AM3 and AM3+, though I did get the difference between Intel and AMD.

I found the name of mine, and looked it up:

http://www.findlaptopdriver.com/foxconn ... 2010h517p/

"Processor Support Socket AM3 "

You were absolutely correct I think. It is AM3. Which I certainly don't mind looking for other options.

EDIT: At this point, I'm actually thinking of just getting a new motherboard, too. Because holy crap- there's like no options to go above 3.0 GHz in the regular AM3 slot.

In that case, you'll need to make sure that your new motherboard covers all the demands of your current system. It most likely will, but just be sure.

Your current one has room for:

3 * PCI Express x1
1 * PCI Express x16 (2.0)
1 * PCI Express Mini (half height)

and is size:

Micro-ATX

So, depending on how many of those PCI slots you use, you'll want a new motherboard that has the same or more. Additionally, you'll want it to be a Micro-ATX board. You can go for a different size if your tower supports a bigger size, which you can find out by googling your tower's information.

Another thing you'll have to make sure of is that the new mobo supports your hard drives. If they are SATA, you'll be fine. If they're old HDDs (IDE), then you'll need a mobo that supports IDE or start thinking about getting rid of your IDEs.

The difference.

Alright, here's what I found:

I can upgrade the case and get this:
http://www.amazon.com/GIGABYTE-GA-970A- ... roduct_top
(ShadowFox is using it)

And the case:
http://www.amazon.com/Cooler-Master-HAF ... puter+case

Also, since these upgrades are kinda stacking, I chose this processor instead:
http://www.amazon.com/AMD-FD6350FRHKBOX ... MD+FX-6350
(Thanks to ShadowFox)

CPU Fan:
http://www.amazon.com/Cooler-Master-Hyp ... master+212

MORE FANS:
http://www.amazon.com/Corsair-Series-Pe ... diator+fan
or:
http://www.amazon.com/Cooler-Master-Sic ... B0026ZPFCK

Also, both my HDs are SATA. I know from putting in the power supply.

I think I'm pretty much ending up kinda building a new PC at this point(since I just got the video card and power supply a while back), but if it works better... especially temp-wise and gaming-wise, I am all for it.

It'd be an interesting project as well.

All of that will work together just fine.

The tower should already have fans in it, though. You probably wont need those 'MORE FANS'.

Especially not in all caps, huh?:p

Anyways, thank you so much. I'll probably buy the parts over the next couple weeks and then assemble it all at once.

EDIT: I am getting super excited about this. Not just the upgrade, but I love projects and it will be my first custom computer.

I got everything installed...

But, I can't get a display to come up at all.

I'm using my old harddrives+disc drive if that makes a difference. Does what SATA they're on matter? Is that doing it?

I've checked the RAM, I've checked the video card to make sure it is in. I removed and reinserted the battery on the motherboard, too.

The fans and everything else work(well, except the CPU fan which starts up and then just... stops after spinning for a little bit, no idea if this is normal or not).

My power LEDs work, there's HD lights flickering, but I can't get anything to display. I've tried the regular cable and also HDMI.

I'm at a loss, and so close yet so far. Is my motherboard dead? I mean it is powering devices, so I wouldn't think so but I just don't even know.

sleep now

Does the computer make a beep when you turn it on? How many beeps?

One is normal, and two or more means bad things.

EDIT:
Display is working! But I get stuck in an endless cycle of reboots. Apparently the display is working now cause I put in the RAM too loosely. I was worried I'd break something.

The beep comes directly from the motherboard, not your speakers. If there's no beep, then there's something a little harder to diagnose going on.

Start with this:

Power down, remove CMOS battery. Leave it out and power up. What happens? If it boots fine, power down and place the battery back in. Problem should be fixed.

If not that, then -

Some things to check for:

- Does your new mobo require a second plug-in from the power supply? Look for a smaller version of the long white bit your power supply plugs into somewhere on the board. It'll probably be 6 little female connectors. If you find this, try and find the matching piece coming from your power supply and shove that in there.

- Remove the RAM entirely, and then turn on the system. Beeps? You should get multiple beeps.

If those fail, start trying to diagnose one piece of hardware at a time. Try one stick of RAM (no graphics, no hard drives, no cd drive, no network card, no sound card) until you get 1 beep. After you get one beep, power down and add on the graphics card. Power up. Repeat for the hard drive, then the sound card, then the network card, and last the cd drive.

Edit: Also ensure that, if your graphics card requires it, you have a connector coming from your power supply going into the graphics card.

I got the display working! Thank you. I apparently didn't have the RAM in far enough.

Now I'm on an endless cycle of rebooting from Windows. I am trying their "repair" thing now.

I don't think it is overheating, temps look good.

I found this.

""Also, I screwed all the grounding/stand off screws in the case, could that be short circuiting it? Should I only put the grounding screws only on the holes of my motherboard?"

This is definitely shorting your MB. Remove all the posts and screws that don't correspond to a hole in the MB."

I think I screwed upppp.

Okay. I reset the CMOS, and reinstalled the motherboard properly. Still constant rebooting. I can get to "start windows normally" and it starts to load, and then just reboots.

It's not an issue with anything else I don't think. I just can't start windows at all. It doesn't reboot by itself, only when I select to "start windows normally".

Edit: Lantis believes I corrupted windows. I am inclined to agree.

EDIT: I didn't corrupt Windows. HP OEM blah blah blah.

Got a Windows 7 disk, reformatted and deleted unnecessary partitions that were there before, installed Windows on my smaller HD, and things should be good. Right now I am installing mad amounts of drivers, next will be getting my programs back.

Edit: Just about everything is back! Thanks again for all the help!

Here's a picture! Though it is crappy and from my phone.