upgrading a Socket A AMD processor

[Vexxx_2007]

As my "My System" drop down menu shows, I'm running an AMD Sempron processor. But i'm kinda bored of it, and hoping to get something better and faster, since it doesn't quite cut it for the games i play.

Obviously, my options are a bit limited, since Socket A is practically obsolete, but i want to milk this old PC for absolutely everything it has.

What would be a good processor to upgrade to?

Any suggestions are appreciated.

Thanks!

:banana:

[SXRguyinMA]

you're probably best getting a new mobo/proc bundle. bundles these days are super cheap, some even come with RAM and well :up:

[FuzzyPlushroom]

Depends what games you play. You may not be able to go too far with Socket A; if your Sempron is a 3000+ or 3300+ it's not worth upgrading, but if it's a 2400+ or 2500+, say, it might be worth finding a new CPU.

What motherboard do you have? I can recommend a CPU (or not) based on that.

[markkleb]

I agree with what FP said. One other thing is moving up to newer would be less $ in the longrun.
(+, spending $ on last gen stuff is not a real good idea)

You could pick up a mobo with onboard graphics better than the 6200. Two gigs of DDR2 would be less than upgrading your current memory and an X2 would be a large jump over the Sempron.

let me look at Newegg and get some examples..

Memory
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820609027
(almost free)

Mobo
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813138117
(will allow upgrading to a Phenom later on if needed)

CPU
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103255
(retail one has a cooler so you wont need one right away)

By not going wild it will allow you to keep a bunch of your existing parts.

[nevermind1534]

If you get a mobile athlon xp 3100+, that would probably be your best CPU. They overclock really good. If you don't want to do any overclocking, get a regular 3200+.

[Vexxx_2007]

Depends what games you play. You may not be able to go too far with Socket A; if your Sempron is a 3000+ or 3300+ it's not worth upgrading, but if it's a 2400+ or 2500+, say, it might be worth finding a new CPU.

What motherboard do you have? I can recommend a CPU (or not) based on that.

My proc is in fact a Sempron 3000+ and the board it's on is called a "K7MNF-64" it's pretty old... DDR memory, AGP4x/8x graphics slot, 2 IDE slots, and 3 PCI slots.

A caveman of modern gaming PCs.

[Vexxx_2007]

I agree with what FP said. One other thing is moving up to newer would be less $ in the longrun.
(+, spending $ on last gen stuff is not a real good idea)

You could pick up a mobo with onboard graphics better than the 6200. Two gigs of DDR2 would be less than upgrading your current memory and an X2 would be a large jump over the Sempron.

By not going wild it will allow you to keep a bunch of your existing parts.

I like this idea a lot. Tomorrow is payday and I think I know what I'm getting. :)

Thanks a bunch!

[Vexxx_2007]

While I'm at the whole upgrading parts thought, is it possible to go to a SLI or Crossfire setup by upgrading my m/b? Cause a multi-GPU setup has been my nerd-dream ever since i saw such technology in a Maximum PC magazine

[markkleb]

LOL, I love SLI. And I hear the Crossfire drivers are finally getting pretty good as well.

If I had to build a cool ass comp I would go Crossfire 4830s (kick butt value and performance) even though I have a ton of SLI comps.

I have a brand new one of these if ur interested
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813138128
(has pretty good onboard graphics that should hold you over till you get the video cards)

[FuzzyPlushroom]

+rep to Mark for the suggestion there. I wouldn't bother upgrading the A anymore, I'd keep it as a backup/server machine (or just send it to me :D). It's fairly respectable as is, and I doubt that board (though it's not bad) supports overclocking (though nevermind's right about mobiles in general doing well, it depends on the stepping and date code). (I like parentheses.)

A new machine will be worlds ahead of your venerable old Socket A; I went from what was effectively an XP3200+ (a 2600+ low-voltage/unlocked desktop chip, basically a mobile, running at 1.575v and 11x200, same speed as the 3200+ at a lower voltage) to an AM2 3500+, and an x1600Pro to an x1950Pro... and though you wouldn't think it, the difference was considerable. Take good care of your old Socket A machine; it'll serve you well for years to come, but it ain't no gaming rig anymore.

If you need any more help with it, the guys over at ClassicPlatforms (http://classicplatforms.com/) still care about Socket A, and they'd be happy to assist you.

[nevermind1534]

You can get an Athlon 64 X2 3800+ from newegg for only $35.99. http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=40000343&Description=3800&name=Processors%20-%20Desktops It's what I used in my parents' computer, and it works just fine. The whole thing (including 2 gigs ram) from an old 2.5GHz Celeron only cost $100, and was, in my opinion, well worth it. I did use the existing DVD drive, and a better hard drive from a computer I got out of the trash, though. The [Cooler Master] case (and its crappy power supply) was also free with a mail in rebate and a combo deal with my motherboard.

[Vexxx_2007]

Okay, so i've totally got my heart set on upgrading my motherboard, cpu and memory to make a much faster and more modern gaming rig.

Though i'm faced with many choices of what to upgrade to and even more questions that i would like answered, if anyone knows.

First one is, can i go into a SLI or Crossfire setup by buying a new board?

Next, Can i switch cpu manufacturers? My current one is an AMD and I am hopeful to try out an Intel device. If not, no big deal, there's lots of AMD fishies out there.

third, is it possible to do this under $250?

and final, Can i still keep my hard drive, optical drive, peripherals, blah-blah etc? or would i, for example, need to get a SATA hard drive, or just an adapter of sorts?

any further knowledge of this would be appreciated very much!

[nevermind1534]

You can get an SLI or Crossfire compatible board that is compatible with either Intel or AMD. Motherboards still have one IDE channel, so you would be fine with your current drives. You would need new memory. It's possible to do it for under $250 if you stretch your money. AMD is cheaper than Intel. My offer that I made on your current hardware is still up for taking. Let us know if you need any help putting together a list of hardware to buy.

[Vexxx_2007]

I see.
I'm certain i could make this happen with under $250 dollars, maybe even $200.

Normally, I would go all out, but I need to stretch my money to save for a new car. Someone I know is selling a mustang :)

But that's aside from the point. DDR2 memory is ridiculously cheap as of lately, and some Athlon X2 procs go for $50-$60. I'm sure the biggest one is gonna be the motherboard.

and whenever i buy this stuff, I'll keep you in mind, Nevermind, when it comes to getting rid of these old pieces of hardware.

[nevermind1534]

I say, get this (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103232) processor, and this (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145177) RAM if you're willing to deal with the rebate.

[Twigsoffury]

well it depends on the bus speed of your motherboard.


If it's a 333mhz FSB then the best supported cpu would be a athlon xp 2800+ Thunderbird core.

if its 400mhz then its a Athlon xp 3200+ Barton core edition. (alot faster then the thunderbird core)

if its 266mhz then the fastest supported cpu would be a 2400+ Thunderbird.


Hope this helps.


Its cheaper to buy a whole stack with the cpu inside then it is the cpu itself now.


But a 4200+ socket Am2 is 35$ and a DFI board is 46$ add a 10-15$ 1024MB stick and your up and running a whole hell of alot faster, for cheaper.

ive seen people asking 150-160$ for barton socket A's

[nevermind1534]

If it's a 333mhz FSB then the best supported cpu would be a athlon xp 2800+ Thunderbird core.

I just bought one of those new off of zipzoomfly. It was cheaper than an open box one.

[FuzzyPlushroom]

If they'd made a 2800+ Thunderbird, it'd be able to heat your house. The similar-sounding "Thoroughbred" core was used from about 1700+ through 2700/2800+, originally running alongside the Palomino (which replaced Thunderbird), then replaced by the Barton, which was basically a Thoroughbred with 512k of L2 cache, rather than the 256k of previous Socket A (and later Slot A) Athlons.

Outside of the pedantic name-correcting, though, you're correct, and you said pretty much what I would've. +rep