want to upgrade my cpu and GPU

[kurt459]

ok so i picked up an HP Pavilion a6334f desktop at a thrift store for around 15$ us was missing the dvd drive. any how i figured id upgrade the CPU and video card but im not sure whats best. now before you guys question why i would wanna upgrade such an old PC i do this as a hobby i like toying with fixing and collecting older desktop pc's also i plan to turn this into a server for counter strike source as well as use it for the few 98/me/xp based games that my more powerful desktop cant run. i dont have a set budget or any budget yet as i will be buying the parts used/new and when i can afford them

now im open to both dual core and quad core but most of the games i will be playing were released around the pentium 4 athlon era so i want the fasted cpu i can upgrade to by fastest i mean which ever cpu is 3.0 Ghz or faster and will work with my mobo

as for graphics card id prefer nvidia but am open to ATI also the card must support the game in this link http://gamesystemrequirements.com/game/starship-trooper

so pre nvidia GTX 200 series cards and pre ati/amd HD cards

Starship Troopers’ ONLY SUPPORTS the following video cards: Nvidia GeForceFX* 5600/5700/5800/5900 series. Nvidia GeForce 6 and 7 series. (* NOT LE versions) ATI Radeon** 9600 Pro and XT/9700/9800 series. ATI Radeon X300/X600/X700/X800 series** (** NOT the 9700SE or onboard versions)

also would prefer an enthusiest card just because i can use one but am open to other tiers

i know this is an older pc but my current hp desktop is to fast for the games i wanna run plus im building this as a gift for a friend who likes older stuff

[old_geekster]

@kurt459, welcome to the forum.

Here is the Product Specifications page for the computer.

Below are the processors that have been tested to assure that they would be compatible with the motherboard:

Motherboard supports the following processor upgrades:
Intel Core 2 Quad (Y) Q9xxxx
Intel Core 2 Duo (W) E8xxx
Intel Core 2 Quad (K) up to Q6600
Core 2 Duo E6x00 (C) up to E6700
Core 2 Duo E4x00 (C) up to E4400

If you use any processor other than one of these it may or may not work.

Now, for the video card.  All newer video cards require UEFI in the motherboard instead of a Legacy BIOS.  HP didn't begin using UEFI until mid-October, 2012.  The BIOS can't be upgraded to UEFI.  The last cards not to require UEFI were the GTX 660/670 series.  Any of the newer cards will require a power supply unit (PSU) upgrade, also.  The PSU in the computer is only 250W.  The newer video cards require at least 400W to operate properly.  Some cards state that they will operate with a 300W PSU, but this can be misleading -- some work and some don't.  I recommend a PSU with 500W to be safe.  I have been suggesting that members choose the manufacturer who they want to buy and contact their Tech Support for help with choosing the best card for their system.  I don't want to make a recommendation that doesn't work and you pay to return it.  Buying new components for older computers is becoming more difficult all of the time.  Video card manufacturers are getting too far ahead of OEM computer manufacturers, such as, HP.

Please click the Thumbs up + button if I have helped you and click Accept as Solution if your problem is solved.

[kurt459]

whats the best Intel Core 2 Quad (Y) Q9xxxx series cpu this desktop will take the faster the better

[old_geekster · Accepted solution]

This is an old computer.  Therefore, I can't actual say which would be faster.  It depends on the condition of all of the components.  A computer is only as fast as the sum of them.  I believe that the Q9550 would be fine.  It is 2.83 GHz.

[kurt459]

ok i will follow your suggestions but i have one final question does this desktop use a proprietary power supply or is it a standard ATX

[old_geekster]

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@kurt459 wrote:

ok i will follow your suggestions but i have one final question does this desktop use a proprietary power supply or is it a standard ATX.

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It is a standard ATX PSU.