Dual to Quad core processor

[laserblazer]

My home system has a skt 775 Intel dual processor. Should I be able to replace it with a quad core? the mobo is a foxconn 845 7MA

[localzuk]

There doesn't seem to be any record of that board on the Foxconn support site. Are you sure that's its full model number?

[dgsmith]

The only 2 foxconn motherboards that I can find which have "845" in the name are these two, both of which are P4 motherboards so i'd very much doubt they'd support quad core (you may have a Pentium D which is essentially a P4). I know of some Core 2 motherboards which support P4s as legacy but these seem to be the opposite (native P4).

 

I couldn't find any with "845" and "7MA" in the name but several with "945" and "7MA"? As localzuk said above, are you sure that's the correct model number? CPU-Z could help you if you're not sure.

[Michael]

Correct me if I am wrong but motherboards based on the Intel 845 Chipset were 478pin and not the newer LGA775.

 

To be honest if you shop around you can pick up a decent LGA775 board for £35 with everything onboard, supporting all Core 2 Duo and Core 2 Quad processors.

[localzuk]

Looks like the 945G7MA models are also Pentium 4/Pentium D/Celeron only also. If you are interested in Foxconn mobos, this one supports LGA775 quad core chips Foxconn G41MX-K 2.0 Motherboard - Intel Core 2 Quad: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics & Photo

[laserblazer]

Sorry, I was in a hurry and got it wrong, it is a 945 7MA. I didn't want to change the mobo if I can help it.

[dgsmith]

I would say it's unlikely. If you look at the list of intel chipsets here then you'll see there are 945 chipsets for both the P4 and Core 2 processors though it suggests quad compatibility starts at the 975 one. To be honest, in my opinion even if your mobo did support quad which I doubt it will, i'd still go with the advice above and get a new motherboard. I have fitted a few of the Gigabyte GA-G41M-ES2L boards which are around £35 inc VAT and are more than capable. Sure, you won't have mega graphics but then if you're looking for a quad core i'd imagine you have or will be considering a separate gfx card anyway.

 

Only thing to be aware of with new mobos is RAM support (do you have DDR1 in your current one?), power supply compatibility (main power connector) and IDE/SATA. Also if the chassis is an OEM one then the case cables may not fit properly on the motherboard.

 

As I said, if you use CPU-Z and get the exact model number of the motherboard then it could be confirmed whether it definately will support quad or not.

[laserblazer]

Only thing to be aware of with new mobos is RAM support (do you have DDR1 in your current one?), power supply compatibility (main power connector) and IDE/SATA. Also if the chassis is an OEM one then the case cables may not fit properly on the motherboard.

 

That's one of the reasons why I don't want to change the mobo but it looks like I'll have to.