Upgrading old CPU

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Craig234

Lifer
May 1, 2006
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I have a Phenom II X4 965 AMD CPU in an old system.

The CPU seems to have become damaged where it overheats playing any MMO. I'm leaning toward wanting to replace it to keep the system going.

But since I'm looking at that, I'm wondering what the best replacement CPU is to get for the same socket.

Should I just get another of the same CPU ($60-$80), or another?
 
VirtualLarry

VirtualLarry

No Lifer
Aug 25, 2001
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There's two schools of thought on that.

One, is simply replacing it with a compatible CPU, and keeping the platform and the OS install, which if it's OEM, may make more sense.

The other, is doing an entire platform replacement at the same time, but that may necessitate an OS re-install, and potentially a re-format.

Just throwing it out there, but an Intel G4560 CPU (3.5Ghz Kaby Lake dual-core with HyperThreading), can be acquired for $60-70, and it's probably 2-3X faster than that older AMD CPU. But then, you would have to buy a new mobo, and DDR4 RAM for it too, and potentially another OS copy.
 
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Puffnstuff

Puffnstuff

Lifer
Mar 9, 2005
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Craig234 said:
I have a Phenom II X4 965 AMD CPU in an old system.

The CPU seems to have become damaged where it overheats playing any MMO. I'm leaning toward wanting to replace it to keep the system going.

But since I'm looking at that, I'm wondering what the best replacement CPU is to get for the same socket.

Should I just get another of the same CPU ($60-$80), or another?
Click to expand...
You don't say what motherboard you are working with so we don't know if its am3 or am3+ which makes a difference in cpu support. The cost varies and is high at $240 at amazon for a replacement cpu and Newegg has no stock on that item. If you have an am3+ motherboard you have more options available to you https://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&IsNodeId=1&N=100007671 600213781.

Personally I believe that its time to move up to something beloved patriot a i5-6600k which costs slightly less than an exact replacement cpu but has double the performance. It would also require that you invest in new ram and make a phone call to reactivate your windows. I wouldn't overpay to get a replacement cpu on an EOL platform. Even the egg doesn't have anything new on am3 and only offers refurb cpu's which is a giant red flag in my book.
 
daveybrat

daveybrat

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Super Moderator
Jan 31, 2000
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Craig234 said:
I have a Phenom II X4 965 AMD CPU in an old system.

The CPU seems to have become damaged where it overheats playing any MMO. I'm leaning toward wanting to replace it to keep the system going.

But since I'm looking at that, I'm wondering what the best replacement CPU is to get for the same socket.

Should I just get another of the same CPU ($60-$80), or another?
Click to expand...


You sure you don't just need to clean the cpu fan on it? Or replace the stock heatsink with a better one?

That was a hot running 125W cpu back then. I'm sure the cpu itself is fine.
 
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Craig234

Lifer
May 1, 2006
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I'd forgotten which MB but it is the MSI 790FX-GD70.

The history over the last year is the system is very dusty, but started to overheat and shut down at ~121C running any MMO.

So finally I reapplied the thermal paste - and it made no difference.

So what I have is a system that for years did not overheat playing MMO's, and now does, after new thermal paste.

I'm having a hard time seeing how dust, which has long been there, is causing that - for years it ran without the side of the case on.

It is the stock heatsink I think, but that worked fine for years.
 
UsandThem

UsandThem

Elite Member
May 4, 2000
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Craig234 said:
I'd forgotten which MB but it is the MSI 790FX-GD70.

The history over the last year is the system is very dusty, but started to overheat and shut down at ~121C running any MMO.

So finally I reapplied the thermal paste - and it made no difference.

So what I have is a system that for years did not overheat playing MMO's, and now does, after new thermal paste.

I'm having a hard time seeing how dust, which has long been there, is causing that - for years it ran without the side of the case on.

It is the stock heatsink I think, but that worked fine for years.
Click to expand...

Only one way to know for sure: Clean the dust out.

I think this issue has been going on, and discussed for months now across many of your threads. The pictures you shared showing how much dust was in and around your PC was shocking.

If you are unwilling to clean the dust out, I'm not sure if you're ever going to figure out your issue.
 
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Craig234

Lifer
May 1, 2006
38,548
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UsandThem said:
Only one way to know for sure: Clean the dust out.

I think this issue has been going on, and discussed for months now across many of your threads. The pictures you shared showing how much dust was in and around your PC was shocking.

If you are unwilling to clean the dust out, I'm not sure if you're ever going to figure out your issue.
Click to expand...

I did clean some of the dust, but as I said, it was there for years while the CPU did not overheat, and given the CPU/heatsink is a sealed area, it's hard to see how that could be it.

Given the fact it runs fine indefinitely cooler using non-MMO apps further seems to imply that it's less likely to be a physical/dust issue and more likely a damaged part?
 
R

R0H1T

Platinum Member
Jan 12, 2013
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What about Zosma, Phenom II x4 960T & IIRC it had a fairly good unlock rate? You'll get better TDP, thermals & a shot at full six cores, if your motherboard supports that feature.
 
UsandThem

UsandThem

Elite Member
May 4, 2000
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Craig234 said:
I did clean some of the dust, but as I said, it was there for years while the CPU did not overheat, and given the CPU/heatsink is a sealed area, it's hard to see how that could be it.

Given the fact it runs fine indefinitely cooler using non-MMO apps further seems to imply that it's less likely to be a physical/dust issue and more likely a damaged part?
Click to expand...

Yes, the surface between your CPU and heatsink is practically sealed, however all the fins and the fan is where dust collects, clogs, and firms a "heat blanket". When that happens, your CPU will run hotter and hotter until its life is shortened or it dies.

That's what you need to find out by cleaning out the dust. If it still overheats after cleaning, the CPU is likely a goner. But we can't get to that point until you do some cleaning.
 
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Puffnstuff

Puffnstuff

Lifer
Mar 9, 2005
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The OP should run a stress test on the CPU to ensure that it is in fact the culprit before throwing money at it.
 
C

Craig234

Lifer
May 1, 2006
38,548
350
126
Puffnstuff said:
The OP should run a stress test on the CPU to ensure that it is in fact the culprit before throwing money at it.
Click to expand...

I'm not sure how much it isolates CPU versus dust, but I just ran 'Prime95' and watched the CPU go up 1c every 3 seconds from 61c to 90c then ended the test (immediately cooled).
 
R

R0H1T

Platinum Member
Jan 12, 2013
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Craig234 said:
Wonder why they'd name a later model 5 lower. Is it worth changing to 960t instead of something like the $38 CPU above?
Click to expand...
It's a low power version, hence 960T, with turbo core/boost & 95W vs 125W TDP. I also checked & there are a few versions of 965, like plain vs BE or 140W BE, so there's even more advantages the 960T has over the 965.
 
VirtualLarry

VirtualLarry

No Lifer
Aug 25, 2001
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The 960T is a Zosma (?), which is a cut-down Thuban. The die is actually a 6-core die, and in the right motherboard, you may be able to enable one or two more cores. (Friend did exactly that with some rigs.)

Craig, not to be too detrimental, but... if you can't see how a "dust blanket" would affect your temps, when your fan/heatsink assembly needs a supply of fresh cool air to it's "skin", then ... well, anyways.

Either way, this is a perfect example of why PCs DO need some slight maintenance, if only every 1-2 years, depending on dust-accumulation rates. You could / should have taken it to Staples, to their "free PC cleaning" events, where they try to upsell you on anti-virus solutions, but they clean out your PC, or something like that. (I've never done it, I always do my own maintenance, and generally, don't have too much dust in my PCs anyways.)

That's a decent board (I think that I have the same one), and it's worth saving and re-using, even if it is AM2+. (Not compatible with FX-series CPUs.)

I think that I even have a 4x4GB DDR2-800 kit that would fit that board. Could sell it, if you're interested in really souping this thing up. (Using an identical set of RAM in my friend's 780G AM2+ board, with an AM3 X4 640 CPU. 16GB of RAM is nice to have, on an AM2+/AM3 rig.)

Can you find a Thuban 1045T CPU? They made those in 95W (I have a couple), and they run fairly cool, even though they have SIX cores. Could be a nice little step up. I think that they go for $80 or so on ebay, but I haven't looked lately.
 
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VirtualLarry

VirtualLarry

No Lifer
Aug 25, 2001
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Craig, would you really buy a "new" 965, shipped from China/HK, from someone with ZERO feedback, with five to offer? I dunno, sounds kinda sketchy to me. Lots of times, there are Chinese scammers, that post "qty" of some popular products, for below market cost, with low feedback, and simply disappear with the money.
 
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bbhaag

bbhaag

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Jul 2, 2011
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Looks like $50 is the going rate for these on ebay. Here's a link to a more reputable dealer with better feedback. http://www.ebay.com/itm/AMD-Phenom-...502830?hash=item5d6e00c56e:g:6U0AAOSw32lYt6IU

And bro bust out your air compressor, hold your fans in place so they don't spin to fast and clean the inside of your pc. It makes a huge difference. I recently did this on my sons 2500k rig and it lowered the temps dramatically. I found a Lego and Starburst wrapper in his case and it was "sealed". haha
 
G

guachi

Senior member
Nov 16, 2010
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I've got a 965 somewhere I'll sell to you for peanuts.

I switched it out last year. I just need to find it.
 
UsandThem

UsandThem

Elite Member
May 4, 2000
16,068
7,383
146
daveybrat said:
Instead of all of this replacing your cpu and/or inability to clean the heatsink properly......just buy a new/better heatsink/fan? A Hyper 212 would be a huge upgrade over the stock AMD one:

$24.99 and it should solve all your heat problems ;)
Click to expand...

It would until it looked like this in 6 months ;)

IMG_4601.jpg
 
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Craig234

Lifer
May 1, 2006
38,548
350
126
daveybrat said:
Instead of all of this replacing your cpu and/or inability to clean the heatsink properly......just buy a new/better heatsink/fan? A Hyper 212 would be a huge upgrade over the stock AMD one:

https://www.amazon.com/Cooler-Maste...UTF8&qid=1488683481&sr=8-2&keywords=hyper+212

$24.99 and it should solve all your heat problems ;)
Click to expand...

Would it? This one worked fine for years, so I think something is broken I'm not convinced a new better heatsink would fix. Overheating to 121c and shutting off a lot might have damaged it?
 
C

Craig234

Lifer
May 1, 2006
38,548
350
126
guachi said:
I've got a 965 somewhere I'll sell to you for peanuts.

I switched it out last year. I just need to find it.
Click to expand...

Thanks, I'm interested.

And I know the feeling. I'm just glad I found the USB I made for a new PC OS.
 
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