my computer is about 5 years old with an 800 mthz processer and a soltek motherboard in an ATX midi tower. can i upgrade the processor only or do i need to also INSTALL a new mainboard and can i get one to fit the case. thx in advance. walt. Do you know the model of your motherboard? The book should tell you how fast you can upgrade to and what CPU it takes http://www.esupport.com/global/upgradesteps.cfm this will show you how much RAM your computer can take and what is the Maximum CPU speed you can use.Chances are slim that it will upgrade to anything near current levels of performance, if you want that.

Motherboard and CPU upgrade recommended, but what are you wanting to do that you cannot now? Some people get bitten with the upgrade bug without a need. How much RAM and hard drive space? What computer make and model?

If you want to run XP Home Edition an 800MHz processor should do but you need 512 MB or more RAM.

I use a 1000GHz PIII with 768 MB SDRAM and a 7,200 rev/min drive with an 8 MB drive-cache and XP works just fine.

Click the link below and take the XP Compatability test at PC Pitstop to see if anything else needs to be upgraded such as the BIOS and download and install Everest to give you more details on your mainboard and RAM, etc.What do you want your pc to do........play games is my guess......consider the costs......is it cheaper to buy a GAMING machince.........?

INFO link>http://www.buildyourowncomputer.net/learntobuild.html