Possible (compatible) Processor Upgrade?

**Pwncakes** · April 25th, 2011, 02:19 AM

I've upgraded V-cards, and RAM and stuff before, but when it comes to CPU's im a little sketched out. So, I run an AMD Athlon 64 4000+, which is socket type AM2.

My main question is, is socket type the only thing you have to worry about when upgrading a CPU? Could I run an AM2+ socket type?

I'm looking at getting ( Amazon.com: Customer Reviews: Processor - 1 x AMD Phenom X4 9850 / 2.5 GHz - Socket AM2+ - L3 2 MB - OEM ) is this a reasonable (compatible) upgrade?

Thanks

**ShyguyXPC** · April 25th, 2011, 02:23 AM

Depends on your motherboard, list the make and model, and its possible your board supports AM2+ or not.

**Pwncakes** · April 25th, 2011, 02:26 AM

Thanks for the quick response. My mobo is an ASUS NARRA2 Socket type am2

I could fine nothing online information wise about the mobo, but I did read somewhere that AM2+ sockets fit in am2 and visa versa.

**ShyguyXPC** · April 25th, 2011, 02:49 AM

Their the same number of pins, but there is some voltage and bus Speed differences between AM2, AM2+ and AM3, otherwise all 3 are the same physical socket.

NARRA2 is an OEM model board (Dell, HP, Comaq, etc used in similar prebuilt systems)

This Should be your board...? (guessing from what I've looked up, your PC is an HP)

HP and Compaq Desktop PCs - Motherboard Specifications, M2N68-LA (Narra2) - c01080282 - HP Business Support Center

Its a Geforce 6150SE chipset motherboard, and many of those DID support AM2+, But you'd probably have to look up your System Model on the HP site, and see if there is a Bios Update that would allow support of AM2+ CPU's.

Since the Board is an HP board, but made by Asus, its usually up to HP to offer support or upgrades to better CPU's, etc, on the boards. (basically the boards are made to spec by Asus upon HP's request).

Though sometimes there are identical boards to HP and other companies OEM models, but doesn't guarantee support on them.

If KarmaKiller was on right now he might be able to offer some insight since he works for HP, at least with the Laptops part of HP, but might be able to offer some better suggestions.

**Pwncakes** · April 25th, 2011, 10:20 AM

Yeah that is my board. It was a prebuilt HP system, but now the processor is the only thing left that came originally with the system. Would a viable option be to find a new mobo with all the specs of the old system and just have an AM3 socket processor? Is it possible to find a mobo that specific? I dont think there is much support for this board, because it is OEM.

Or should I just find a crappier AM2 socket... will I have to stay under Athlon x2 5600+?

Thanks again

**stroyal** · April 25th, 2011, 11:16 AM

I'm not saying that is the best thing to do but possible.
Just an example
Newegg.com - ASRock N68-S UCC AM3/AM2+/AM2 NVIDIA GeForce 7025 / nForce 630a Micro ATX AMD Motherboard

No FireWire though.

Same memory, but less slots.
A little narrower, and the front panel connectors, may have to be changed/modifies.
Edit;
You would need a new operating system also.

**ShyguyXPC** · April 25th, 2011, 02:51 PM

Originally Posted by Pwncakes

Yeah that is my board. It was a prebuilt HP system, but now the processor is the only thing left that came originally with the system. Would a viable option be to find a new mobo with all the specs of the old system and just have an AM3 socket processor? Is it possible to find a mobo that specific? I dont think there is much support for this board, because it is OEM.

Or should I just find a crappier AM2 socket... will I have to stay under Athlon x2 5600+?

Thanks again

If you can afford it, then yes, IMO, it would be the best option, not only upgrades the Motherboard for more and better CPU's, but Better RAM, and other things.

Though with your current system your RAM is DDR2 and many of the AM3 boards are DDR3, but DDR3 is cheap now, and there are some DDR2 AM3 boards as well.

Also many Athlon II X2, X3 and even Athlon II X4 CPU's are far more powerful than the old original Phenom X4's were, not to mention faster clocked speeds.

The only real Downside to all this, besides spending more is you'll have to reinstall Windows, or possibly buy a new copy, as the OEM version that came with the PC is tied to that Motherboard/System, once you change the motherboard, its no longer "Compatible", Which is why Stroyal mentions needing a new OS as well.

With the Lack of 4 Slot DDR2 boards for cheap, it'd be better off buying a DDR3 only board and slapping in DDR3 memory.

Newegg.com - MSI 760GM-P35 AM3 AMD 760G HDMI Micro ATX AMD Motherboard

2GB: Newegg.com - Kingston 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10600) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model KVR1333D3K2/2GR

4GB: Newegg.com - Mushkin Enhanced Essentials 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model 996586

Phenom II X4 (about same price as the Original Phenom X4 on Amazon): Newegg.com - AMD Phenom II X4 840 3.2GHz 4 x 512KB L2 Cache Socket AM3 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor HDX840WFGMBOX

What are your uses for this system?

Gaming? General Use? Etc?

Whats the Power supply specs (brand, model, rating, etc)

**Pwncakes** · April 25th, 2011, 06:46 PM

-Stroyal, I looked into that mobo, and it seems like an alright idea. Does DDR2 vs. DDR3 actually make a difference on performance, or is it just a marketing ploy to make you buy a more expensive mobo?

I'm willing to drop the money for the upgrades you've listed above, Shyguy. As far as OS goes, my girlfriends Grandpa gave me a win7 upgrade disk with an unlimited disk-key, and I used it to do a clean install on the computer that I'm currently on. Pretty sure I could just use that boot disk? If not, I have no problem buying a new win7.

My uses for this system range. This is my home computer so I do play games, but I also use it to edit videos, and such. Ive just noticed some choppy performances and noticed that my CPU is almost always maxing, but I still am not overclocking. I can still play games like Portal 2, and WoW easily. I just want something snappier.

As far as power supply goes, I honestly have now idea. I have been using SIW to lookup all system specs thus far and I can't find where the power supply is located. I'd have no problem buying a new supply.

If its possible to buy your upgrades without getting a new supply, I'm probably going to go with that.. will that mobo fit in my case? I forget the dimensions of my OEM board. Also, if I dont have to get a new supply, what would be a good case that would fit with that new motherboard?

Thanks again, guys.

**ShyguyXPC** · April 25th, 2011, 07:08 PM

Mobo is MicroATX just like your current one so yes.

PSU specs won't be on any software program, just open the case and look for the specs and info on a sticker on the PSU itself.

as to PSU, if its a low end brand, or weak PSU, you WILL want a new one, to handle all the new parts better, contrary to popular belief the CPU or Motherboard isn't the heart of the PC, its the brains, but the PSU is the heart, if thats weak or in bad shape or just a low end crap brand or whatever, the rest of your system can/will go out with it.

the only thing Software can tell you about your PSU, is reading info from the Motherboards Bios and showing what the PSU's current Voltage Ratings are for its 3 Voltage Rails (3.3V, 5V and 12V)

As to DDR2 vs DDR3, in most cases a person won't really notice much, but DDR3 does have greater Data Bandwidth than DDR2, and as CPU processor Performance increase, along with faster better Video cards, and other high bandwidth consuming components, DDR3 is much better suited to keep things humming along in the system, which is why all of Intel's current Desktop Platforms all ONLY support DDR3 and AMD is slowly switching to that as well, though they did incorporate older DDR2 compatibility in their latest AM3 Socket Design/Chipsets, AM3 is really a DDR3 platform, rather than stiff the consumer like Intel did ditching DDR2, AMD decided to support it and possibly gain more of a consumer base from Intel's peeps as a result of Intels decisions.

But for all intents and Purposes DDR2 is out and "Dead" and DDR3 is in, so no reason really to stick with DDR2 any more, especially if you upgrade to a better platform/socket design.

**Pwncakes** · April 25th, 2011, 08:33 PM

Would I be able to get away with simply going

- ( Newegg.com - ASRock N68-S UCC AM3/AM2+/AM2 NVIDIA GeForce 7025 / nForce 630a Micro ATX AMD Motherboard )

- ( Newegg.com - AMD Phenom II X4 840 3.2GHz 4 x 512KB L2 Cache Socket AM3 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor HDX840WFGMBOX )

???

If I plug it in and I get need a new PSU, it will give me some kind of BIOS warning, correct? "Warning: CPU failure imminent" haha.

What's a case and new PSU that will work for that mobo? I have never been able to link up cases with motherboards,

Hopefully this is my last request.

Thanks again.

**JPMiller** · April 25th, 2011, 08:55 PM

Newegg.com - Open Box: ASUS M2N68-AM PLUS AM3/AM2+/AM2 NVIDIA Geforce 7025/nForce 630a Micro ATX AMD Motherboard
Newegg.com - COOLER MASTER Elite 460 RS-460-PSAR-J3 460W ATX12V V2.31 Power Supply
Newegg.com - HEC Blitz Black Steel Edition ATX Mid Tower Computer Chassis Gaming Case w/ Front Blue LED 120mm Fan & Top 120mm Fan

**ShyguyXPC** · April 25th, 2011, 09:01 PM

How many sticks of RAM does your PC use currently, since all these boards listed only have 2 slots, if your using 4 sticks, your going to have to halve your RAM, or upgrade to a 1 or 2 Stick kit of similar Capacity.

**Pwncakes** · April 25th, 2011, 09:13 PM

Good point, shy. I'm using all four slots for four G's. If I was going to use that DDR3 mobo you listed earlier, what kind of new case should I use? Ill goahead and get the 2x2 DDR3 you listed earlier, aswell. All I need is a case that will work with that whole setup.. and I'm golden

**ShyguyXPC** · April 26th, 2011, 01:29 AM

The HEC Blitz JP listed above will be fine, its a Midsize Case, I think JP has used it, and I have one as well, its actually a very nice budget case.

as to DDR3, then the boards JP and you listed won't work as their DDR2 boards. (nevermind, I see you mentioned the one I listed earlier)

but this one (also an open box) would be fine for the cheap that uses DDR3: Newegg.com - Open Box: MSI 760GM-P33 AM3 AMD 760G Micro ATX AMD Motherboard

Same board as earlier, but only has 2 RAM slots instead of 4.

**Pwncakes** · April 26th, 2011, 11:22 PM

Okay so in the end, im planning to go..

AMD 760 MicroATX mobo
Newegg.com - MSI 760GM-P35 AM3 AMD 760G HDMI Micro ATX AMD Motherboard

4gb DDR3
Newegg.com - Mushkin Enhanced Essentials 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model 996586

Phenom II 3.2 quadcore
Newegg.com - AMD Phenom II X4 840 3.2GHz 4 x 512KB L2 Cache Socket AM3 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor HDX840WFGMBOX

460 watt PSU
Newegg.com - COOLER MASTER Elite 460 RS-460-PSAR-J3 460W ATX12V V2.31 Power Supply

IN WINN MicroATX Mid tower
Newegg.com - IN WIN BR665 Black SECC steel MicroATX Mid Tower Computer Case

and slapping in a NVIDIA 9800 GT i have from this comp.

couple of questions, and sorry.. because this is probably in the complete wrong section now.

-Will all of this work together?

-What do I have to worry about form factor-wise. Wouldnt I need a microATX PSU aswell?

-Will I need a bigger PSU?

-What do I have to worry about in terms of PSU capabatiblity with GPU power pins and such?

Thank-a-you

**ShyguyXPC** · April 27th, 2011, 12:48 AM

everything will work together just fine in that list.

No you don't need A MicroATX power supply, the case itself is a MATX form factor (Motherboard) case, not a Small Form Factor Style Case, that usually takes MATX PSU's.

Some cases like these Apevia's take MATX PSU's: Newegg.com - APEVIA X-QPACK-BK/420 Black Aluminum 1.0 w/ ABS plastic front panel MicroATX Desktop Computer Case ATX 420W power supply Power Supply

But there are some SFF cases like those that will use Full Size ATX PSU's, even a Mini ITX Case like this one (I have this case) will take a Full Size ATX PSU: Newegg.com - LIAN LI PC-Q07 Black Aluminum Mini-ITX Tower Computer Case

the CM 460 PSU has a 6 Pin PCI Express Connector so your fine for the 9800GT.

there's enough power on that unit for the listed specs.