Keep in mind that the ventilation is poor in these cases. (Average speed designation is DDR3-1333 to DDR3-1600).Īs long as you choose a 'Micro ATX' form factor board, you can use the case of the Emachines, at least temporarily. Plus, it's at least 3 times as fast as the DDR400 you have now. DDR3 is now the spec, with entirely different socket an voltage requirements. My T-5026 won't even boot from a regulation Windows disc, while other members have said you can reinstall Windows from the OEM discs, in the event of the board being changed. In different models of Emachine, you gfet different results. The prices are coming down, so 'this year's model', so to speak, is right in the same price ballpark.ĭepending on which parts you replace, and at which time, reinstalling the OS from your restore discs is not guaranteed. You could also consider a Core i3-5xx CPU, & H55 board. That way, you don't need to buy a graphics card to get the system up and running at the beginning. I'm thinking a G41 chipset board (micro ATX size), would be ideal. Beyond the cost of the CPU you've mentioned, the board and memory could be had for a hundred bucks or so. You need to replace the 'big 3', (board, CPU, & memory), to get anywhere with an effective 'upgrade'.
