new to tinkering with pc, have questions

N30nGuY · October 1st, 2009, 11:31 AM

I have a Compaq Presario, with a M2N68-LA motherboard with an amd athlon 64 3800+. I just recently purchased GeForce GTS 250 overclocked video card (which I am really enjoying). But I am not satisfied with my cpu. According to system lab requirements my processor speed is rated at 4.3 GHz, I really need a dual core for gaming. My motherboard will only support a dual core up to 3800+. Which I am finding out are hard to find. If I do find one, do I have to anything other than plug it in and apply new heatsink compound (not sure on correct term but we use stuff at work on rectifiers on forklift control panels thats white and pasty). Then turn it on and everything should work? Or do I have to mess with bios. I really don't want to replace my motherboard, I am sure there will be a lot of suggestions for it. I noticed most of the bigger cpu's have higher than my motherboard is rated at, it says up to 65W. I found this at newegg that is 65W but says it is 5200, I am guessing it will not run on my motherboard? Thanks in advance.

JLK03F150 · October 1st, 2009, 09:12 PM

Isn't that 3800+ of yours an X2 dual core? According to your motherboard spec you can run that AM2 5200+. IMO going from 2.0GHz to 2.7GHz should provide a nice bump.

Quote:

CPU/Processor
Socket: AM2
Supports the following processors:
Athlon 64 X2 with Dual Core technology up to 5600+ (up to 89 watt)

N30nGuY · October 2nd, 2009, 07:51 AM

No, mine is not a dual core. That is why I am wanting to upgrade to a dual core. I had my numbers all mixed up. My motherboard will support an AM2 cpu Amd Athlon 64 x2 4800+ up to 65W, not the 3800+ like I thought. So I wasnt for sure if the 5200 would work although it is the correct wattage and socket. I can't find any good upgrade from my current cpu other than used from ebay. If the 5200 would work that would be the first one I have found one new.

Edit: Mine is M2N68-LA (Ivy) not the Narra. From what I just read the only difference is the amount SATA slots and the memory slots. I just read on another forum than any brisbane cpu will work with the ivy board.

JLK03F150 · October 2nd, 2009, 05:54 PM

I didn't know they made any single-core A64 AM2 CPUs, but I found yours (and others) after a little digging around. I'm sure the reason the Compaq spec ends at 4800+ is that was the latest available when the board was released. Just make sure you flash to the latest BIOS before installing the new CPU.

Motherboard Specifications, M2N68-LA (Ivy) Compaq Presario SR5027CL Desktop PC - HP Customer Care (Australia - English)

N30nGuY · October 2nd, 2009, 11:15 PM

Thanks for the help. I have a guy at work that has been helping me but he is highly recommending that I do not upgrade this pc and just buy another one so he isn't helping me much with the cpu help. Not everyone can just go buy a new computer, he doesn't understand that. I guess the next step is to read up on updating the bios while I wait for the cpu in the mail. Oh, my computer was a Compaq Presario SR5023WM. I guess technically it sorta still is. Its just in a new Sagitta case with a 550W Corsair power supply and a GeForce GTS 250 OC. Thanks again.

JLK03F150 · October 2nd, 2009, 11:55 PM

BIOS updating isn't difficult, just make sure you read the instructions. And don't try it during a thunderstorm! lol

IMO the 5200+ should be a pretty good match with your GTS250. I understand where your work buddy is coming from but you already have a good base system. Spending 60 bucks for a 2.7GHz dual-core isn't excessive though & most likely pretty good bang-for-the-buck.

Have you also already upgraded the RAM? One gig ain't gonna cut it.

N30nGuY · October 3rd, 2009, 07:14 AM

Yes I have updated my RAM a little. I pulled one 512 stick out and put in a 2gb stick. I still need to swap out the other 512 for 2gb. Thanks for the help.

JLK03F150 · October 3rd, 2009, 08:53 AM

You definitely wanna get another 2GB stick in there. Preferably a match to your other 2GB. Your motherboard supports dual channel memory architecture, but it is probably disabled right now with the two mis-matched pieces of RAM.

Adding the matched 2GB piece & enabling dual channel will give you a 5-15% performance boost, depending on the application.

If you are running Windows XP or Vista 32bit you won't see all 4.0GB. It will show up as around 3.0-3.25GB, that's just a limitation of a 32bit operating system. Nothing to worry about though, I run 4.0GB on XP 32bit & Vista 32bit with no problems.

N30nGuY · October 3rd, 2009, 10:47 AM

My co-worker said the same thing about the mismatched sticks. And I read that I will not see the whole 4 GB but should be better than what I have now. I am running vista home premium until something new comes out.

N30nGuY · October 5th, 2009, 08:15 PM

I have been givin a free cpu. It is an AMD Athlon 64x2 3800+ 2.0Ghz. Would I gain anything since it is a dual core or should I stick with my single core 2.4 until I can buy the 5200 mentioned earlier.