Right now I'm in the process of upgrading my VERY old PC. I hope to leave XP and get Windows 7 instead and possibly upgrade CPU. I see Core2 Duo that cost less than EUR 10 and outmatch my Pentium D twice. If I succeed - it should be be enough for another 5 years :-P

Maybe I should not complain as my processor beats that by more than 100%

I tried linking to a site comparing the processors but the forum did not like that at all.

If you want to stick with Socket 775 for a little bit more, then I suggest getting a Core 2 Quad, the Q6600 goes on ebay for about 15e. As a CPU it isn't much today but it will let you play many games including some recent ones, just don't expect high details or 1920x1080 resolution.

I keep an old system at home with a: Core 2 Quad Q6600, 5GB DDR2 Ram, Nvidia GT 1030, Crappy 320GB HDD

Occasionally I test a few games on it, the ones I tried are Space Pirates and Zombies 2, Yooka Laylee, Divinity Original Sin, Signal From Tolva, Hollow Knight, Hand of Fate 2 - they all run very well at 720p medium details.

And of course, does it run Crysis? Tested that too, Medium details, 720p, FPS jumps between 25-45fps.

It's really all up to how do you use your PC :-)

Just recently I noticed some webpages are SOOO sluggish on my Pentium D 3.4. Guess sth changed in web-design technology because I don't remember it was always so. Truth to be told I don't think it's only my CPU failing. Guess it's also outdated XP driven browser's fault. When I browse on Linux - performance is better

The problem is I'm not 100% sure my MB will accept Core 2 Duo / Quad (those CPU's are not on support list). Theoretically - I should be ok. with any Core2 that runs on FSB up to 1066. But will it run - I don't know. But as I see now - price difference is really small and I guess I'll give it a try what you recommend. Thx

This is mine

As you see no Core2 on the list. But Asrock has very similar board and it supports them
http://www.asrock.com/mb/VIA/4CoreDual-SATA2%20R2.0/index.pl.asp?cat=CPU#CPU

They just put diclaimer about lowering FSB by 5% when Quad core CPU installed (guess it's necessary for stability with this VIA chipset).

So all looks, theoretically ok, I should not have problems with TDP because PentumD consumes 2x more power from CoreDuo - but I don't really know how ASUS programmed his MB - will it try to run unsupported CPU or just refuses to wake up.

You might like the Cooler Master Masterbox Lite 3.

Looks good indeed :-) (but red would be better) A pity they did not put the jacks on that slope instead as that is the perfect location for them. Thank you for suggestion!

Done some digging, found a link here stating that the PT880 Ultra chipset is Core 2 ready.

Theoretically, the hardware requirements are there, and the Q6600 should work since it has an FSB of 1066.

I guess it should be worth a shot considering the low price of the CPU.


EDIT:

Sorry Themken, if it seems like I'm derailing your thread I will move it to private chat.

Absoutely no problem. Discussing old hardware helps me make my mind up. Keep talking about old computers versus newer.

I was thinking the same about older hardware and upgrades until G4560 and Ryzen came out. Seeing how affordable they became, i just stopped bothering looking at the older hardware. Ryzen 3 1200 was 70€ for Black Friday, for anyone on the budget that was more than a good deal.

Have you considered buying from an online-shop in Switzerland? Although Switzerland has the highest prices in Europe normally, strangely computers are rather on the cheap side when compared to the rest of Europe. At digitec there is currently an Intel Core i7 7700K BOX (LGA 1151, 4.20GHz, Unlocked) for 289.- CHFr (around 245 Euro) on sale. And they have cheaper i5's too.

Ram is about the same price as in your first post though.

Too far away. I want to be able to go to the shop personally if need arises. Northern Germany is like the limit.
Smart shop lowering the last generation enough to move them. Here they cost so much that there is no reason to consider 7000 series CPUs from Intel, only the new 8000 series.
Really? Here they increase like twice a week up up up, €200 for 16GB now and very soon more as they are sold out.

I can understand this, I probably would be the same.

I stand corrected, they have risen here as well although they are still cheaper. The Corsair RAM (2x8gb) you mention in your initial post is currently at 175.- Euro