Drop in a different CPU??

[Sumotku]

I'd like to upgrade an AMD based system: dual core 3800, MSI motherboard, windows XP pro. With prices what they are I'm entertaining simply dropping in a Opteron 185 and starting 'er up. On the surface this seems innocuous, but nothings ever that simple, or is it? The present incarnation has AMD x2 drivers installed, but that's the only flag that pops up in my mind. Any and all advice is welcome. There's a lot at stake here, btw. should things go awry. 2 years worth of tweaks isn't the least of it, so I'm asking for support.

 

[jpeyton]

Nothing to worry about.

 

[Navid]

If you have updated the motherboard BIOS, and the original BIOS did not recognize the new CPU and did not post with it, if some day you need to reset the BIOS, you may need the old CPU to upgrade the BIOS again before you can use the PC!

 

[VirtualLarry]

Shouldn't have any problem, if you already had a 3800 dual-core installed.

 

[heyheybooboo]

Originally posted by: Sumotku

I'd like to upgrade an AMD based system: dual core 3800, MSI motherboard, windows XP pro. With prices what they are I'm entertaining simply dropping in a Opteron 185 and starting 'er up.

I've upgraded a number of MSI s939 motherboards and have yet to see an MSI BIOS-supported Opty 185. Doesn't mean they ain't out there. . . .

Here is the new MSI CPU Support Page. I'm in the process of upping an Opty 170 on a K8N Neo4-F. All systems nominal @ 2.8GHz (and rising!) on stock air.

 

[Sumotku]

You're saying the stock bios wouldn't recognize the opteron, booboo? The board in question here is also a Neo4f. Which, then, bios version are you using for your opty 170? As you know, it's not shown in the cpu support list at msi using the link provided.

 

[duragezic]

I've read on several occasions that some motherboards and/or BIOSes don't play well with the Opteron 185. Yet with a somewhat recent BIOS, almost any 939 mobo will be fine with any X2 or lower Opteron (and FX I assume), but check for compatibility lists just to make sure. I've never heard any troubles with other 939 chips, but for some reason I have about the 185. I'm unsure about those 185 issues, but just letting you know what I've read on here.

A X2 3800 might overclock to the 185's speed of 2.6 GHz. If you don't want to do any overclocking, I'd probably just get the fastest X2 or Opteron 180, unless you know the 185 will work fine with your motherboard. I don't understand why the 185 is such a problem for some mobos, if that is true.

For how much the 185 is, I don't think a 800 MHz increase is very useful. Sure when you are overclocking with minimal higher voltage and the stock cooler, hell yeah that 800 MHz (for free) is great, but for $240, I don't think it's worth it.

 

[Sumotku]

Point taken duragezic. The machine is being used in a clients workplace and OC'ing is out, but evidence seems to suggest a 180, not to mention cost preferred. If I recall, the machine is running a SmartPower and stressing it with an OC will likely knock it out (again). Oh, and the chip is a manchester, not a toledo. For kicks, when I first built it, I tried to see what it could do, not much headroom at all with that one. 180 it is. Thanks all.

 

[heyheybooboo]

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: Sumotku

You're saying the stock bios wouldn't recognize the opteron, booboo? The board in question here is also a Neo4f. Which, then, bios version are you using for your opty 170? As you know, it's not shown in the cpu support list at msi using the link provided.</end></div>

I think the MSI will recognize the Opty 185 HOWEVER on the MSI mobo models I've upgraded I do not recall ever seeing native support for it. ..

I say this simply because - using the K8N Neo4-F-3 as an example - MSI supports the FX-60, a 2.6GHz Toledo core with 2x 1mb L2 cache (kinda sounds like an Opty 185 to me . . . )

I just don't wish to put someome else's money where my mouth is!

I've flashed to the most current NIOS . . .

 

[heyheybooboo]

NIOS = BIOS btw