Questions about a old Socket A motherboard

[lskywalkr]

I have a ECS K7S5A motherboard that current houses a AMD Athlon XP 1600+ processor. I'd like to upgrade to a high end Sempron (2800, 3000, something like that). My motherboard is Socket A, so obviously i'd need the Socket A version of the processor, but would my motherboard support the Sempron? Do all Socket A motherboards support all Socket A processors?

Also, would I need to get a new heatsink/fan for the new processor or would the one I have now work ok?

Thanks a ton!

 

[Harvey]

The Sempron 2800 and 3000 use a 333 MHz FSB, but your motherboard only supports 133 MHz and 200 MHz bus. You'll do better selling off your whole, working system and putting the money into a new one. A whole, working system is worth more than the sum of its parts.

If you live near a Fry's Electronics, this special may interst you They're offering a boxed retail Sempron 2600+ (including HS/fan) and motherboard for $69.99. They almost always include an ECS board. Get this if the board has a VIA or nVidia chipset. I still don't trust ECS chipsets.

Good luck.

 

[lskywalkr]

Thanks for the reply. Hmm... so what is the fastest processor my motherboard could support?

 

[o1die]

Your k7s5a can support up to an xp2600 at 266 fsb, but the 2400 is more widely available. I would check pricewatch or newegg's refurb section for an nforce2 chipset board.

 

[lskywalkr]

Well, an XP2600 would be fast enough for me, as long as it worked with my current mobo. Basically I'm looking for the best upgrade I can for around $100US, so I figured I just stick with a processor. BTW, I'm in Canada, so newegg and fry's aren't options.

 

[Peter]

Exactly that. The XP2600/133 was short lived and rare, the fastest commonly available CPU being the XP2400 (which has been available in 133 MHz bus version only).

On a board from that era, check for bulged or leaked capacitors before you put it into new use. Also, keep an eye on the power supply strength.

 

[lskywalkr]

Ok. Thanks for all the info guys.

If I was going to upgrade the mobo with the processor, what's the best mobo/cpu combo to get for under $200US?

 

[o1die]

If you are already using pc2700 or better, I would go for an nforce3 board with socket 754 cpu. Try for the 2800 or 3000. Some venders may soon have the 64 bit semprons.