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!

[SXRguyinMA]

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

[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/Produc...82E16820609027
(almost free)

Mobo
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813138117
(will allow upgrading to a Phenom later on if needed)

CPU
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103255
(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/Produc...82E16813138128
(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 ). 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 still care about Socket A, and they'd be happy to assist you.