Name/ Brand: Compaq Presario SR1800NX
Motherboard: Agena P5RC-LA
RAM: 2 GB CPU: Intel Celeron D 3.06 GHz
Video Card: Radeon HD 3650
First off, can the P5RC-LA support dual core technology. I looked at its stock specs and it says that it only supports Pentiums and other Celerons...no mentioning of dual core. However a E7200 for example has the same socket type as that of this motherboard. Should I replace the motherboard in order to get a better processor?
Yes you should, that motherboard can't accept dual core processors.
The replacement you've chosen is good and will work fine.
As for the two processors, which you use depends on what programs you use, if you play modern games or use programs like Photoshop the Q6600 will be better, but if not, you may as well save some money and buy the E7200.
The RAM you've chosen is fine.
I won't lie, the graphics card you have isn't very good, but as long as you're not going to play games like Crysis, you will be OK as long as you use lower graphics settings. In any case, the Power supply of the current system won't cope with a more powerful card anyway.
NOTE: If you buy the Q6600, you will need a new Power supply. A lot of Compaq Systems don't allow the PSU to be changed, if yours is one of those, you will need to completely rebuild the system in a new case to support the Q6600 - you may be better off using the E7200 to avoid having to spend loads, the Q6600 isn't really worth having when you can't play games on high settings, unless, as I mentioned, you use video/image editing programs.
Finally, someone replied. Thanks for your input. I know that the video card I have right now isn't all that great, but I intended for it to be a cheap alternative for my integrated graphics. However, because since I do a lot of of video/ image editing, I figured I need the Q6600 and that means spending money on a new mobo, psu, RAM, and even a new fan in some cases for overclocking....all this just for a new cpu...anyways, I plan to gut out my entire SR1800NX and sell the parts for extra funds for the new parts. If I do get hooked up on some high-graphic powered game such as Crysis, then I'll sell my current video card and buy something like a 4850 or 4870.
Sounds like a wise plan. Both those components are very powerful, the Tuniq Tower is suitable for overclocking a quad. The PSU is probably overkill even if you do buy an HD4870, but the lower wattage units I recommend are no cheaper, that's quite a deal you've found.
