Need help upgrading AMD processor. Few questions.

[bobbyZ34]

I am looking to upgrade my processor on my computer and have never done it before. I built my first machine from scratch just shy of 2 years ago and I haven't tampered with it since.

I've got the following running currently:

AMD Athlon 64 3200+ (Venice) Skt 939 processor
ASUS A8V Deluxe (via K8T800Pro chipset) for Athlon 64(FX) Skt 939

I want to upgrade the processor only and I want to be sure before I buy it that I can easily swap it out. I wanted to find out 2 things.

1. Can I get any newer AMD Athlon 64 or FX processor as long as it is Skt 939 ? Because they also now list X2 Dual core processors and FX processors are really expensive. I'm mostly looking at the 3800+ or 4000+ or the X2 dual core processors if they would work wiht my motherboard.

2. Do I need to do anything besides pull the old processor out and insert the new one w/heatsink?

Thanks in advance, Rob

 

[brikis98]

you'll have to go to asus' website to check what CPU's your motherboard supports, but it's very likely that it can support any s939 chip. if it does, all you have to do is the following:

1. With your current setup, flash your BIOS to the latest available from asus
2. Pull out the current CPU/HSF, install the new one
3. Reboot... windows should detect the new hardware and boot up fine...
4. if it's a dual core CPU (x2 or opteron), follow these instructions to optimize your system

 

[imported_Imp]

That about covers it, but isn't a CPU a pretty major upgrade to warrant a reinstall of Windows? I know mobos practically need one or you're screwed, now are CPUs on the same boat or not...

 

[Centurin]

No, CPU changes have almost no affect on windows.

 

[brikis98]

Originally posted by: Imp
That about covers it, but isn't a CPU a pretty major upgrade to warrant a reinstall of Windows? I know mobos practically need one or you're screwed, now are CPUs on the same boat or not...

i can't speak for all CPU's, but s939 doesn't seem to have an issue with it. after the recent AMD price drops (after the release of c2d) lots of ppl upgraded their single core A64's to x2 or opteron's without having to reinstall the OS (myself included).

 

[bobbyZ34]

Thanks for all the info guys. I'm starting my search for a Athlon 64 X2 4x00+ processor.

Rob

 

[smthmlk]

update to the latest beta bios (1018.001 i believe) and you can run any socket939 proc I believe. I had no problems installing an x2 4200 in my a8v deluxe rev2 w/ that bios I mentioned.

 

[AgentJean]

You will most likley need to flash your bios. Make sure you read the instructions before doing so. If your chipset drivers are not up to date when you flash, you'll corrupt your OS and need to reinstall(that is according to Asus's bios upgrade warning)

 

[Seekermeister]

Originally posted by: bobbyZ34
Thanks for all the info guys. I'm starting my search for a Athlon 64 X2 4x00+ processor.

Rob

Here is what I ordered:

http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=80726-1

 

[Geomagick]

That should offer a nice boost in performance over your 3200.

I have been using one for quite a while now and have been extremely happy with it.

 

[SparkyJJO]

I just upgraded my CPU from a single core 3700+ to a dual core opteron. No reinstall of windows needed at all. CPU upgrades are like RAM upgrades, you don't need to reinstall windows for that.

Read this and follow the instructions - useful stuff to get the most out of your X2 CPU

 

[Bob Anderson]

Originally posted by: Seekermeister

Originally posted by: bobbyZ34
Thanks for all the info guys. I'm starting my search for a Athlon 64 X2 4x00+ processor.

Rob

Here is what I ordered:

http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=80726-1

Seekermeister:

I too have the 3500+, and am also thinking of the same upgrade as you.

Once you have some experience with the new cpu, would you be so kind as to
post your impressions, compared to your current 3500+ ?

Thanks,

-Bob

 

[Seekermeister]

Originally posted by: Bob Anderson

Originally posted by: Seekermeister

Here is what I ordered:

http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=80726-1

Seekermeister:

I too have the 3500+, and am also thinking of the same upgrade as you.

Once you have some experience with the new cpu, would you be so kind as to
post your impressions, compared to your current 3500+ ?

Thanks,

-Bob


[/quote]
Sure, when it ever arrives. I sent them a check on ll/2, but they still don't show a tracking number.

 

[bobbyZ34]

Quick question. I'm checking AMD 64 X2 processors and most of them are Socket AM2 and not 939. I only see 4400 and 4600's as 939. I am assuming my motherboard will not handle a AM2 socket and I'm only able to get the 4400 and 4600 Socket 939.

Sorry, it was just Newegg.com that I made these deductions. I just checked Zipzoomfly.com and they show more of an assortment for AMD 64 X2 Socket 939.

Sorry, Bob

 

[Seekermeister]

AM2 and 939 don't mix. You could upgrade the motherboard and processor together, but you would also need to upgrade the ram to DDR2. You can get the 3800+, 4200+, 4400+, 4600+ and 4800+ X2s still.

 

[ScrapSilicon]

Originally posted by: Seekermeister
AM2 and 939 don't mix. You could upgrade the motherboard and processor together, but you would also need to upgrade the ram to DDR2. You can get the 3800+, 4200+, 4400+, 4600+ and 4800+ X2s still.

or Opteron 1xx dual series for s939

 

[Seekermeister]

Originally posted by: ScrapSilicon

Originally posted by: Seekermeister
AM2 and 939 don't mix. You could upgrade the motherboard and processor together, but you would also need to upgrade the ram to DDR2. You can get the 3800+, 4200+, 4400+, 4600+ and 4800+ X2s still.

or Opteron 1xx dual series for s939

You beat me to it. I was Googling about that when you posted. I never looked at them when I bought mine, because I thought they were all 940s.

 

[Seekermeister]

Originally posted by: Bob Anderson

Originally posted by: Seekermeister

Originally posted by: bobbyZ34
Thanks for all the info guys. I'm starting my search for a Athlon 64 X2 4x00+ processor.

Rob

Here is what I ordered:

http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=80726-1

Seekermeister:

I too have the 3500+, and am also thinking of the same upgrade as you.

Once you have some experience with the new cpu, would you be so kind as to
post your impressions, compared to your current 3500+ ?

Thanks,

-Bob

Okay, I don't really have any experience with this processor yet, because I just got it installed a few hours ago. But, my initial impression is that I can't tell the difference between it and my old 3500+. I know that the benefits are to be expected in multitasking and games, but I do multitask some, like most people do, however the games that I have are not the ones that require too much. I still expected to see something noticeable, even if it was simply subjective. If this is all that there is, I wish I had saved my money.

Hopefully, I will see a benefit when I have used it longer.

 

[F1shF4t]

Originally posted by: Seekermeister

Originally posted by: Bob Anderson

Originally posted by: Seekermeister

Originally posted by: bobbyZ34
Thanks for all the info guys. I'm starting my search for a Athlon 64 X2 4x00+ processor.

Rob

Here is what I ordered:

http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=80726-1

Seekermeister:

I too have the 3500+, and am also thinking of the same upgrade as you.

Once you have some experience with the new cpu, would you be so kind as to
post your impressions, compared to your current 3500+ ?

Thanks,

-Bob

Okay, I don't really have any experience with this processor yet, because I just got it installed a few hours ago. But, my initial impression is that I can't tell the difference between it and my old 3500+. I know that the benefits are to be expected in multitasking and games, but I do multitask some, like most people do, however the games that I have are not the ones that require too much. I still expected to see something noticeable, even if it was simply subjective. If this is all that there is, I wish I had saved my money.

Hopefully, I will see a benefit when I have used it longer.

Did u check that windows is using 2 cores? For me just installing the amd driver and a reboot was enough for it.

Also for normal usage such as internet, word and very light games i cant tell much difference between my 2 rigs in sig, the dual core one feels more responsive but until i start to heavily multi task or play intensive games the difference is not worth it. In heavy multitasking its a night and day difference though.

 

[Bob Anderson]

[/quote]
Okay, I don't really have any experience with this processor yet, because I just got it installed a few hours ago. But, my initial impression is that I can't tell the difference between it and my old 3500+. I know that the benefits are to be expected in multitasking and games, but I do multitask some, like most people do, however the games that I have are not the ones that require too much. I still expected to see something noticeable, even if it was simply subjective. If this is all that there is, I wish I had saved my money.

Hopefully, I will see a benefit when I have used it longer.
[/quote]

I just noticed your reply to my request for your initial thoughts on the upgrade.

I've given up on the idea of upgrading the CPU.

What I have decided to do instead is to do a complete new build based on Vista in about a year's time, or maybe two years. I've only had this build for a year, so I want to get at least two years, maybe three out of it before I do another one. Hopefully Vista SP1 will be out when I'm ready

I was afraid that what you experienced with your upgrade would be exactly what would happen. Most everything I have read says that dual core cpu's are beneficial for multitasking, but that's about it.

But I want to thank you early adopters for trying things out

-Bob