Upgrade Pentium G2020 to Intel Core i5 3570
Upgrade Pentium G2020 to Intel Core i5 3570
My HP Compaq 6300 MT looks a bit underpowered, so I’m planning to upgrade my old GeForce GT 520 and Pentium G2020. I’m thinking of getting a 750 Ti GPU and an Intel Core i5 3570 CPU. I’m sure the 750 Ti will fit, but I’m not entirely confident about the i5 3570.
My motherboard is a Hewlett-Packard 339A, paired with an original 320W PSU. Some HP models come ready with the CPU I want, but I’m unsure if my board supports it since my current processor is a Pentium and I plan to upgrade to an Intel Core i5. The main question is whether it’s possible to upgrade a Pentium chip to an Intel Core processor.
Ugh, it seems you're facing a tough situation here. These systems, especially those from HP or similar brands, aren't built for easy upgrades. They're typically tailored to work only with the original components. This means you're stuck with limited options—upgrading would likely require replacing the whole unit, which isn't cost-effective. Plus, once your needs change, you might end up buying a new machine, probably another HP. Honestly, unless someone with deeper knowledge comes along, it probably won't be worth much effort.
I searched for your motherboard online but didn’t locate a specs page. You can share a link or photo instead. If the socket matches, using an i5 should work fine. In the worst case, you might need a stronger power supply, though that’s optional if it fits.
Check out a motherboard available on eBay for a visual idea: https://www.ebay.com/p/1307551890. The PC specs listed there indicate what components came with those HP models: https://support.hp.com/za-en/document/c03382665. The PSU isn't easily upgraded unless you use a 24-pin to 6-pin adapter. The original 320W unit works perfectly, especially since some of these HP models include the i5 3570 and the 750 Ti doesn’t require much power. I’m not ready for the CPU just yet, but I want to confirm it for later. Right now, I’ll only be purchasing the GPU.
It really comes down to what you value. Given how affordable it is to purchase or assemble a new setup these days, spending $110 on a brand-new CPU like the Pentium G4560 for three years wouldn’t make sense. You can easily build a decent AMD system for around $500 now. I think that’s what I meant when I said “not too much worth it.” Still, I often overlook how many users don’t rely heavily on their PCs and that $110 remains more affordable than $500 if you don’t require the higher performance.