Getting A New Processor

[xTweakx]

Hello,

I'm pretty much a noob to processors and replacing them and everything. I have a Acer Aspire AMD Athlon 64 computer with 2.4Ghz, and I'd like to have about 2.8-3.0Ghz. I was wondering what do I need to know to go about finding a replacement processor. Do I just need to find the socket type and any one with that type will work? Would I be able to get dual-core at all or anything? Any help is appreciated.

Thanks,
xTweakx

 

[kword88]

the first thing to do would be to go to your motherboard manufacturer's website and look up your model, to see what processors are compatible

 

[whs]

What is the CPU you currently have?

 

[xTweakx]

I wasn't sure how to get all that information. But I downloaded AIDA32 and it says:

Motherboard ID: 12/29/2006-MCP61M-AM-6A61KE11C-00
Motherboard Name: Unknown

And in My Computer System Info it says:

Processor: AMD Athlon 64 Processor 3800+ 2.40GHz
RAM: 3GB
System Type: 32-bit

Does this information help at all?

 

[whs]

That's a socket 939. Here are the choices - none are great: AMD Processors for Desktops: AMD Phenomâ„¢, AMD Athlonâ„¢ FX, AMD Athlonâ„¢ X2 Dual-Core, AMD Athlonâ„¢, and AMD Sempronâ„¢ Processor The 4800+ seems to be top dog. And that is 2.5GHz.

 

[xTweakx]

Alright, guess it's time to get a whole new computer or motherboard. Kinda dissapointed, I thought they'd at least go up to 3.0ghz. Guess not. Thanks for the info tho!

 

[whs]

I guess. Have a look here what's on sale this week ( Deals2buy: Desktop deals ). Check often because the offerings change daily.

 

[Blackhawk7188]

Try installing SpeedFan...you may be able to overclock it slightly. I was able to get my old Athlon XP 2800+ from 2.08 to 2.35. Make sure you have good cooling tho. You can possibly get up to 2.6 and still be stable. The 2.5 on the other processor is because of the FSB being higher.

Hope this helps. Warning tho...overclocking can damage or destroy hardware. If you choose to overclock back up your data to prevent loss. Only try small steps at a time...you will reach your limit easier.

 

[xTweakx]

So this program will bring the speed up a bit at a time? I have an external HD so I have most of my stuff backed up already. I have the processor fan, video card fan, and I put another fan on that blows out of the computer (lol, weak I know). Do you think I'd be good maybe?

 

[Blackhawk7188]

I have all that stuff on the Athlon XP computer(old HP D325) and it works fine. Doesnt get hot for me. Read the instructions in the program and work from there to properly set the FSB and other settings. i increased mine from 167 MHz to 190 MHz and it gave me 300 Processor Speed.

Before that you can check your BIOS as you may have options to change the Multiplier and FSB directly in there in the advanced options. To reach the max..clock it to where the PC boots and runs stable. Too far and you will BSOD and work back from there. SpeedFan will monitor the temps to you can watch them to keep them good. Back off it they seem to high.

You are given the option probably to increase the voltage...this will increase speed but drastically increase heat. If you go with this option...ONLY go in small increments. Too much voltage will destroy hardware.

Use CPU-Z to check your Processor Speed first and check if after the overclock to see where you are at.

Be careful and I hope this helps.

 

[kent318]

I wouldn't buy hp or dell or something like that because the proccessor upgrade options will most likely be dissapointing try asus or newegg