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The Sony Vaio PCV-RZ14G is a desktop tower computer designed for home use.

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Upgrading the CPU ( Pentium 4) to a 64bit chip

I have a Sony Vaio desktop computer, it's model number is PVC - RZ54G. It is similar the one is the video but it's newer.

Apple recently updated their software (iTunes) and their devices to 64bit. I want to keep my old pc but upgrade the CPU to run 64bit software.

How do I change the CPU on the motherboard? Is it a difficult process? What else would I need to upgrade so that things run effectively and efficiently?

I am currently running Windows XP SP3 and would like to install Windows 7 64bit because I can still use XP mode for my older software.

Also, I read the simply changing the motherboard would be the easiest way but Vaio's motherboards can't be swap out. Is this true?

Thanks again.

Answer this question I have this problem too

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Sorry to say you are hitting a brick wall here ;-{

To start with here's the specs of your system: CNET - Sony VAIO Digital Studio PCV-RZ54G If you jump down to the processor section you'll see your system uses a CPU with a Socket 478. Now lets look at Intels' web site to see what CPU's used that socket: Integration Overview for Intel Boxed Processor in the 478 Pin Package as we can see only the following CPU's used this socket:

  • Pentium 4 Processor Extreme Edition
  • Pentium 4 Processor
  • Celeron D Processor
  • Celeron Processor

These are all 32bit CPU's, there is no 64bit chip offering.

Your only hope would be to find a logic board that would fit in your chassis. Sony does not use standard sized logic boards or power supplies, You would need to retrofit something in as well as get new RAM, CPU cooling system, HD, power supply and getting a graphics card. By the time you did that it would be cheaper getting a used system or build a system using a standard chassis.

Windows 7 does have CPU, RAM & GPU requirements so make sure you review Microsofts web site to make sure the system you get meets the minimum requirements.

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Thank you for your response. It sounds like a CPU/ motherboard upgrade is out of the question. I will have to leave the system at 32bit but will install the Windows 7 32bit version. I know that I can transfer most of my data using the Easy Transfer method. Is there a way to transfer my third party applications as well? Thanks again for your help.

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The upgrade process for the Sony PC you want to modernize isn't exactly going to be easy, nor is it possible with the current stock parts. I've never worked with one, but it looks like an mATX standardized (Minus maybe a few specifics) motherboard, but if you look at, say, the Teardown of said computer the computer ends up using some proprietary ports for the front panel, which can be problematic.

The system you want to build is 64-Bit. This computer only lets you use one of 4 series of 32-Bit processors. In short, you cannot upgrade this computer. You might be able to buy a new set of parts to leave behind the IDE years, but there isn't any true "Upgrading" with the parts you currently have inside that PC. On top of that, fabricating is likely inevitable to replace or interchange certain ports.

I say keep that PC for certain workloads (specific XP-related stuff, for example) and build a new one. A decent low-end PC can cost maybe around $200 or maybe more currently. Just my opinion.

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Andrew, thanks for your assistance in this matter. Sounds like there will be no upgrading for me. I will be using Windows 7 32bit. Do you know how I can transfer over my third party apps. Thanks again.

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"Third party apps," the programs on your XP computer, should be transferred via a USB drive or external hard drive disk. The easiest way is to check and see if you still have the installation files (the ones you used to put the program on your PC in the first place) and reinstall them on your new Windows 7 PC. I suggest putting as much data on external drives as possible (or DVD's if you have a DVD burner) to prevent losing any data from the upgrade; when you install a new version of Windows on a computer, it will erase the contents of the hard drive. Flash drives are fairly cheap these days.

Another thing to keep in mind are the Windows 7 32-Bit Requirements. If you're still really wanting to upgrade this old Sony Vaio, make sure you can accommodate both RAM (Recommend at least 4 GB) and Storage (Min. 20 GB) for the install. Looks like an old DDR2 system, and while Win 7 runs on less than 4 GB RAM, I've seen it run a little slow. Just know what you're getting into.

Drivers are a whole other story altogether.

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Usually proprietary desktops like the Sony PVC series can not be upgraded or overclocked to the extent you and i are hoping to do so. Just in case you are still or anyone is considering this I share the following:

I have a Sony VAIO PVC-RX752 that has an ASUS P4S266-VX motherboard Intel Pentium 4 2.0 CPU 478 socket; 512 MB RAM (upgrade to 1.5 GB max).

By mistake, I now know that these computers can be unlocked from Sony’s proprietary grip. While replacing the CMOS battery and upgrading the RAM to 1.5 GB I had the computer disassembled and after replacing the battery I put it back together and turned it on and instead of the norm, I heard three loud beeps and immediately realized that I forgot to install the RAM, so I just wanted to turn it off at that point but before I do, I see the BIOS screen appear but it looks a little different. And so it is that you can set the multiplier and bus speed etc. and access a more in depth BIOS by powering the computer sans the RAM modules.

Long story short, I too wanted windows 7 on an old Sony desktop, but couldn’t do so because of power requirements and I wanted to upgrade the CPU and RAM as well. By mistake, I found out that there is an alternate BIOS that can eventually give you the end result you are looking for. I am in the process of doing this now so I can not tell you the end result but I can tell you that I currently am waiting for a bigger power supply (above comment is correct in regards to Sony using not common size everything) in order to power a 512 MB Nvidia AGP video card and a CPU rated at 2.8 GHz (I should receive both in a few days)

So I will try and remember to update this post when all is said and done. Currently I have the same computer (PVC-RX752) running at 2.4 GHz (overclocked) with 3 GB RAM (1.5 GB was supposedly the max) computer is stable and if I manage to upgrade the pwer supply in order to update the GPU, I will be pretty happy with it. Maybe it will accept registered memory and i could have 6 GB RAM (three slots) haha wishful thinking i suppose but so was installing windows 7 and overclocking this guy in the first place ;)

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