Processor Upgrades

[Anonymous]

posted on July 20th, 2010, 6:09 pm

Last edited by Anonymous on July 20th, 2010, 6:11 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Hey guys,

I am using an e-Machines T6524 with an AMD Athlon 64 Processor 3500+ 2.19 GHz

I want to know some better processors that I could get that would not require too much revamping for compatibility (aka, I'd like a very good compatible Processor that is better than the current one)


Also I have an MST RADEON XPRESS 200 Series Graphics card, is there better ones for those too?

[quaddmgtech]

posted on July 20th, 2010, 6:14 pm

Last edited by quaddmgtech on July 20th, 2010, 6:16 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Hey guys,

I am using an e-Machines T6524 with an AMD Athlon 64 Processor 3500+ 2.19 GHz

I want to know some better processors that I could get that would not require too much revamping for compatibility (aka, I'd like a very good compatible Processor that is better than the current one)

Its going to be hard to find a better CPU for that socket configuration... If you do the performance gain will be negligible. I know this probably isn't what you want to hear but IMO it's time for a socket AM3 motherboard and a Phenom II. I have seen upgrade kits for as little as $150.

Alternatively more RAM maybe? anyway hope this helps, good luck 

EDIT: If your system still uses AGP which I believe it does you can probably find a better AGP video card than a Radeon xpress 200? Is that on-board?

posted on July 20th, 2010, 6:20 pm

The Radeon is what I have (at least that is what the Device manager says.

Thanks for the info. I am however concerned about trying to replace a motherboard. Certainly something I've never done. Plus I'm trying to save money to fix my laptop, so a whole new board would make the one fully operational computer possibly become bricked which I wouldn't risk.

posted on July 20th, 2010, 6:28 pm

well, i got my comp last year for 240 bucks and it has a Athlon X2 240 Processor with 2x 2,8ghz,
4 GB DDR 3 Ram, and Radeon 4650 HD. It runs FleetOps very very very smooth. So i gues u can get aquite good mashine for 200bucks.

posted on July 20th, 2010, 6:37 pm

The Radeon is what I have (at least that is what the Device manager says.

Thanks for the info. I am however concerned about trying to replace a motherboard. Certainly something I've never done. Plus I'm trying to save money to fix my laptop, so a whole new board would make the one fully operational computer possibly become bricked which I wouldn't risk.

If you're careful you will not brick your box. But you may need to re-install your OS because of the massive change in hardware.

or you can do what brother Gabriel Suggests 

posted on July 20th, 2010, 6:45 pm

some versions of windows will ask for reactivation if you change too much.

posted on July 21st, 2010, 5:55 am

I would vote for having a bash at a complete motherboard/processor/RAM upgrade. Nowadays, there's not that much that can go wrong as long as you do your research and are careful. Newer boards are much more user friendly, for construction and setting up. Having said that, they're not impossible to break but I think it's worth a shot.

You would need a VERY good socket 939 processor to make the improvement worth it but unfortunately, they are rare enough that they tend to cost more than a lot of modern alternatives and are so far out of date that they just wouldn't keep up with even some of the more mediocre processors available today.

posted on July 22nd, 2010, 7:04 am

If you do opt to change the whole motherboard keep in mind that you will also have to change the CPU of course, but also the RAM and video card, be careful if your PC is a name brand, i.e. Dell, HP, etc. as it may have a custom motherboard size and configuration. If it does you may not be able to change the board at all because a standard board will not fit or align properly. Additionally if you'll have to know whether your hard drive uses an IDE connection (it will be a wide ribbon) or a newer SATA connection. If it uses an older IDE connection be sure to get a board which has an IDE connector, otherwise your current hard drive will be useless. You may also have to make sure that your power supply, the box with all the wires coming out of it, has the proper connector for a new motherboard. This will be especially true if your computer is terribly old as new boards use connectors with more pins and an older PSU may not have the proper ones.

Beyond those considerations, like Phoenix said, it's fairly easy. If your setup is simple, it's mostly just a matter of connecting everything properly. Do keep in mind, as quad said that you may have to reinstall your OS (you will definitely have to install new drivers for the board) so make sure all the important bits have been backed up before you change anything.