hi ... amd socket 939 processor upgrade help

[mx2702]

hi,

Thanks for the great website here.

i have a amd socket 939 venice processor

here's newegg's link to it :

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http://www.newegg.com/product/product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103533

I am wondering if it would be worth it to upgrade to a amd socket 939 x2 processor? If so, what model is best for price/performance?


Also, I have 300 W PSU that is now handling the venice proccessor,  1*512mb ddr stick, 2*256mb ddr sticks, 2 dvd+/- rw drives, a 200gb hard drive and a geforce 8500gt gpu. If I change the processor, can the 300 W PSU still handle everything with no problem?


You might say that I should pay for new motherboard with better processor at same/cheaper price instead  or get a new PSU but I'm not going to do that if I don't have to.

FYI, I am using windows vista home premium.


Thanks!

Mike

[patio]

Will the MBoard you have support an X2 CPU ? ?
If not it's a moot point.

[hejlik]

  It would be helpful if we knew what Motherboard and Power supply you have?  Like Patio said, if it won't support an X2, you are stuck.

I would think a  quality, brand name 300 watt ps would be sufficient, although defiantly not overkill. If it is a cheaper ps, I would replace it. A power supply is not the place to skimp.

[mx2702]

Motherboard is a "A8AE-LE (AmberineM)"

HP's officialsite  link to motherboard's Spec's and Diagrams:

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http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?x=5&dlc=en&lc=en&product=1817035&lang=en&cc=us&y=5&docname=c00496280

HP's official site link information saying that socket 939, amd athlon 64, amd sampron and athlon 64x2 processors ok with motherboard I have.

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http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?dlc=en&lc=en&product=1127219%E2%8C%A9=en&cc=us&docname=c00496280#N849/code]
e should be fine.

I assume socket 939 and 300W PSU is the limiting factor when choosing the x2 processors.

Bios upgraded to version 3.14.

HP provided the PSU with my system preconfigured, therefore I doubt HP to give crappy PSU that their system can't handle. As long as 300 w max power limit is followed for all components installed or to be installed, PSU I believe is ok.

[hejlik]

Do a search on (Power supply calculator) I do not know exactly what you run on the pc, but I came up with 270 watts without any case fans or usb devices. Dangerously close.  You can also download a hardware monitor that will read your voltages. Make sure they don't fluctuate out of specs.

I went to new egg, and the only dual core processors I see that will fit in a 939 board are Optrons. I don't know if these will work, but if they do, that takes you over 300 watts, and they are not cheap.

Another thing to consider is you operating system. If you are running a factory installed version of Vista, you will most likely have to call Microsoft to re-register because of the hardware changes. They may, or may not oblige.

[Eg0Death]

As far as what is the best for price/performance, that will depend upon the ever fluctuating price.  I bought an AMD Athlon 4200+ dual core this past December for $79.99 from Newegg, but they don't have them listed now. 

Newegg's wattage calculator says 370 watts. 

[mx2702]

Newegg's wattage calculator says 370 watts. 

It's weird. Newegg recommended 370W for my current system conguration with the venice processor, yet I am running my system on only a 300W power supply?

The sticker on the PSU says max is 300 W. But I bet the rails are good enough.

And now, with my current system configuration with just the amdx2 change, I still get 370W recommended, which seems to me that my 300W PSU should be ok still?!

[Eg0Death]

Which Venice do you have?  (I don't think it will make much difference, but . . . )

[mx2702]

Which Venice do you have?  (I don't think it will make much difference, but . . . )

It's an AMD Athlon64 3500+. The 90nm version.

So what do you guys think? Is it really worth it to install a new processor?

[hejlik]

I still don't see which one you plan on switching to. At least on newegg, I see none that would help you. I say stick with what you have.

[mx2702]

I still don't see which one you plan on switching to. At least on newegg, I see none that would help you. I say stick with what you have.

Newegg has a couple:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103584
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103582

[hejlik]

I don't even know if an Opteron will fit in that MB?  Anyone know?

If it does fit, you will need to upgrade your power supply IMO

Have you given any thought to Vista? I am almost sure you will have to call Microsoft, to re-register. They would be under no obligation to do so, though they may.

[mx2702]

I don't even know if an Opteron will fit in that MB?  Anyone know?

If it does fit, you will need to upgrade your power supply IMO

Have you given any thought to Vista? I am almost sure you will have to call Microsoft, to re-register. They would be under no obligation to do so, though they may.

socket 939. it's gonna work theoretically. So i dont doubt that and re-regstering vista? Why would I need to do that? I am not changing anything except a faster processor. Wouldn't it be like inserting another ram stick and computer detects it?

[hejlik]

It will fit in the socket, but I am not sure if the mb can deliver the proper fsb speed, or things like that. I tried to do a search on your mb, but I cannot find any specifics. I would make VERY sure it will work before I bought the new cpu.

I could be wrong, but I think vista will see a different cpu as a hardware change., which would require a call to Microsoft.