Someone gave me an old PC with an ASUSTeK MB, a P2B-LS, apparently it's
a SLOT1. I'm I want to get a new processor, something new and fast
maybe Athlon, around 2.5 G. So I'm wondering what chips are
compatible...I don't understand all the slot and socket types. Can it
be done or do I need to get a new MB altogether, or am I limited at all
in what I could get?
You definitely won't be able to get an AMD processor in there, let alone
a 2.5Ghz AMD. That motherboard is for the old Intel Pentium II/III
slotted processors only, not even Pentium 4.
The good news is that if you really like that case, then you can take
out the motherboard and put a new motherboard in there with a modern
processor of your choice in there (possibly Pentium 4, or more likely
Athlon 64). The case is very likely an "ATX-formfactor" case, so it will
take any modern motherboard that conforms to ATX as well. When you
replace the motherboard, you will also have to replace the memory, as
the modern memory types have evolved into new formfactors of their own
now, which are incompatible with the memory slots in your old
motherboard. That motherboard probably takes either EDO-RAM or SDRAM.
These days modern motherboards don't take either type, they use DDR or
DDR2 RAM.
Those are your minimum expenses. If you must upgrade the processor, then
you *must* also upgrade the motherboard. And if you must upgrade
motherboard, then you *must* also upgrade the memory. The good news is
that you may not need to upgrade anything else for the time being. Make
sure you get a motherboard with the video and sound cards built-in, and
you can use them until you save up to get a better video or sound card.
Yousuf Khan