Can I upgrade Sempron 140 to Athlon II X3 Rana

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Tiffany Sallee

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I have a compaq presario cq 5500F that sucks with gaming so I've been looking into upgrading the graphics card and the CPU.

Asus M2N68-LA (Narra5)

Best bang for my buck currently.

 
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clutchc

clutchc

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OK. The Athlon II X3 series are all AM3 and AM2+ socket compatible. But there is the problem of the older BIOS not recognizing the newer processor. Earlier, I was assuming that MB had the newer AM3 socket. But since it states that it supports Phenom II quad/triple core processors, it would seem the Athlon IIs would not be a problem. Which model Athlon II X3 are you interested in?
 
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Tiffany Sallee

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http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103911
This one
 
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clutchc

clutchc

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OK. The AMD Athlon II X3 455 like most of the rest is both AM2+ and AM3 compatible: http://www.cpu-world.com/CPUs/K10/AMD-Athlon%20II%20X3%20455%20-%20ADX455WFK32GM%20%28ADX455WFGMBOX%29.html

Which version BIOS does your MB use now? This is the latest I can find for HP's M2N68-LA (Narra5)
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/softwareDownloadIndex?cc=us&lc=en&softwareitem=pv-66759-1

I'm pretty sure you will be OK, but I'd hate to lead you astray. That's why I'm being so particular. Are you upgrading for gaming on it?
 
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Tiffany Sallee

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Using Everest Ultimate Edition:

BIOS Type Award
BIOS Version {
Award BIOS Type Phoenix - AwardBIOS v6.00PG
Award BIOS Message {
System BIOS Date 03/16/10
Video BIOS Date 05/01/11

The bios you suggested has a requirement of Windows Vista, which I am running Windows 7.

I plan to use it for medium gaming, not to heavy on the graphics usage. And some light blender/ 3d modeling software. Nothing too intense I appreciate the particularity.
 
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clutchc

clutchc

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Any windows based app that runs on vista should also run on win7. When those specs on that web page were written I doubt Win7 was even out.

Your BIOS has a later release date than the one at the site I linked to, so you may have a newer one already.

If worse comes to worse... Newegg is pretty good about returns. You always have your old Sempron to fall back on. Have you decided on a gfx card yet? Price?
 
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Tiffany Sallee

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I currently have radeon 4350 installed but I could use guidance to what would be a better solution for what would work with cod ghosts or dead space 3, I can't play Dead Space 3 on lowest settings in a reduced windowed mode without lag so I know I need something better. I'd venture to say around $100, maybe more if it's worth it, budget for the gpu. I'm not looking for highest quality graphics just something to play with my friends online in full screen mode on one monitor that resembles my xbox 360. I also have 2 monitors so that is a factor as well.
 
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Tiffany Sallee

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I'm going to assume the Athlon II X 3 is going to work so let's go with one that is best suited for that. And price is around $100, more if there are exponential positive results rather than fractional.
 
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Tiffany Sallee

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HD 7750 will play the new COD? and Correct stock PSU. and 1440 X 900. The computer is a work in progress, it was given to me last year and I've recently come into some extra disposable income.

I honestly have no idea what to look for when it comes to GPU, I have 2 HD monitors and a dvi to hdmi converter that I use on my current gpu. I just saw this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814500309
It's in my price range, has positive reviews, but IDK what cuda cores, open gl, or any of that stuff means. Let alone how to tell if it will/ will not bottle-neck cpus.
 
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clutchc

clutchc

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That would be an improvement over your integrated graphics you have now, for sure. But for the same general price you can get the HD 7750 that is faster and still uses less power: http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100007709%20600007797%20600374090&IsNodeId=1&Description=hd%207750&bop=And&Order=PRICE&PageSize=20
At 1440x900 the HD 7750 will be a great little card. With the Athlon II X3, it should be able to play DS3 at max settings at that resolution. In fact, I'll bet you can play DS3 at medium settings even with the single core Sempron with it. You should get the card first and try it. You might be surprised. Whatever card you get be sure to get one with GDDR5 VRAM and not GDDR3.

Anything faster, and you will have to upgrade your PSU.
 
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Tiffany Sallee

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Awesome, thanks for all your help! :)
 
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