2 questions : How easy is it to get DualCore + will a better gfx card improve video ?

[Spaced_K]

Hello,

Instead of starting 2 threads i thought i would ask them both in the same one.
OK.

1. I have a P4 and want a DualCore processor to speed things up a touch. How easy is it to change to the DualCore from the P4. i.e is it going to be worth it as im not too hot on these things ??


2. If i want better video playback on my PC will a better GFX card do that? I also want to improve my video streaming ... now i know it depends on my internet speed, but at teh moment it is a healthy 340kbps upload, but woudl i notice any difference with a better gfx card (i got a GeForce5200 at the moment !!!!!!!!!)

Ta for any info.

[Andy98765]

Dual Core will need a compatible motherboard.
5200 graphics is slow do look at better cards 7600GT for example.
340kbps is upload to the internet, so unless you are streaming to somewhere in the country tat has nothing to do with it. Video coming in is a download. If you are talking about streaming over your house Lan then 100mbps or 1Gbps is the way to go, just change your hub/switch to a 100mbps if you happen to have an old 10mbps one, or your router has a 4way switch that is only 10mbps as is often the case. This can be solved by connecting all the lan to a 100mbps switch including one port of your router.

[Spaced_K]

Sorry, due to my lack of knowledge, i may have sounded a little confused. Let me clarfy a few bits.

I am thinking of changing my motherboard aswell, but wondered if there was any complications in doing this (apart from the expense). I currenlty have a Dell Dimension 4600 with P4 and want a bit more speed.

I am talking about streaming live TV from the internet, would a better gfx card help??

And yes 5200 is too slow, its annoying me.

Ta for the reply

[Andy98765]

If you change the motherboard you will need to reload Windows and also check that the memory you currently have is also compatible. The 5200 although not ideal should be able to handle streamed video.
Nothing is ever straight forward. Hope you have done this thing before.

[waynster]

Also you want to make sure that the motherboard you buy will fit in the case - I have a couple of Dell towers at home but off the top of my head can't remember what sort of motherboard they have - a quick squiz in google on replacing the motherboard should bring up an answer.

[Spaced_K]

Originally Posted by waynster

Also you want to make sure that the motherboard you buy will fit in the case - I have a couple of Dell towers at home but off the top of my head can't remember what sort of motherboard they have - a quick squiz in google on replacing the motherboard should bring up an answer.

Will i notice much of a difference to my P4 3.06Ghz 1.75GB RAM PC if i go for it and get a dual core ???

[waynster]

Originally Posted by Highlander1

Will i notice much of a difference to my P4 3.06Ghz 1.75GB RAM PC if i go for it and get a dual core ???

Well to be honest, I have only had my dual core a week, and am still in the process of setting it up. As yet I have had nothing to really drive it, but noticeable differences are on things like boot up where it is considerably quicker - mind you I still haven't tried running things like any office applications or photoshop to compare to how things were before.

I did do a lot of research before buying the system however, and from the advice I read on here, if the system you are talking about is just an HTPC, you do not need to go mad on processors for video playback and the like. If it is predominantly for Home Theatre use, you are far better off just investing in a decent graphics card. Also if you look at a lot of "off the shelf" HTPC's you will see the processor spec is not that high, quite a few opting for single core processors.

Cheers
Wayne

[Spaced_K]

My main bug bear with my PC is that it does take an age to start up.
When i do a clean install it runs fine, and i even have installed a program which lets me chose whether or not i let the program run in stratup, but this doesnt help. I also run Bootvis every so often, but again that doesnt help.

I know it will take a long time the more programs i add, but it would be nice for the programs i dont need so much to sit background, but that aint gonna happen no matter how much defragging/tweaking i do.

I have now invetsted in a Geforce 7600 GS 512MB DDR AGP graphics card and that will be coming next week. Just in time for the arrival of Civilization IV

I reckon another clean install of XP is on the way. I did think about Vista, but again thats another expense i dont really need.

Ta for all the help people. P4 on a clean install of XP with a decent card is what im going for.