Need Help Buying New CPU

Hello everyone,
Last december I received my computer for christmas. Its a great computer in my eyes but I recently bought a product that needs an AMD Athlon processor 1.6 GHz or higher. Im good with computers but I have limited knowledge of CPU's. This is information about my CPU, I got it from EVEREST.
. Im not sure if this is enough information but this is what I was looking at buying, http://www.pricegrabber.com/search [...] d=8571952. Im trying not to spend over about $120. If you need any more information let me know. Thanks a lot everyone.

raikiri05,

The processor you have in your computer is a socket 939 Sempron 3400 running at 2.0GHz, with 128kb of L2 cache. This should meet the requirements of an Athlon processor 1.6GHz or higher. Have you tried running the product with your current system? If it works fine then there is no need to upgrade right now. Just exactly what product did you purchase?

If you are intent on upgrading, then the processor you linked to is not one I would recommend. It's an Athlon 64 3000+ running at 1.8GHz (slower clock speed than your current processor), but it does have the advantage of 512kb L2 cache. Depending on applications it would be a toss-up. If you really want to upgrade I would suggest the ADA3500BPBOX. At $109 (you don't want the $108 oem one listed) from a reputable company such as NewEgg, ZipZoomFly etc. you can't go wrong. It operates at 2.2GHz and has 512kb of L2 cache.

I hope this info helps.

^

I'd highly suggest not using GeekSquad or such to do the installation they have a bad habit of charging $75+ for installs

Installing a CPU is fairly simple (althoguh nervewracking) and I'm sure someone can link to some good directions for you. But the basics are removing the old CPU Fan...Remove old CPU...Insert new CPU...add thermal paste (follow directions provided)...slowly put screw new fan on...your ready to go

But as stated, I'm assuming someone can link you to a picture guide for this.

CPU removal/installation instructional videos can be found here: http://www.amd.com/gb-uk/Processor [...] 78,00.html (copy and paste the whole link to make it work). Make sure to use an anti-static wrist strap. I know Radio Shack carries them, and if I recall they have one for $4-5. You won't need to purchase any additional thermal paste, as the heatsink that comes in the AMD retail box already comes with it applied. You shouldn't need any additional drivers installed with the new 3500 cpu.

Are you positive it's your cpu/computer causing the Dazzle 90 not to work? The reviews for it don't look too promising Dazzle 90 reviews How much memory does your system have? I know Dazzle says 256mb minimum, with 512mb recommended. I'd suggest 1gb minimum for doing any kind of video work.

You don't need a new CPU; when they say Athlon 1.6GHz or higher, they mean that any AMD CPU over 1.6GHz will work. Your CPU is 1.8GHz; you shouldn't have any problems running the program.

If you don't mind putting some cash into your system with the possibility of it not solving the Dazzle issue...8) If you use other cpu intensive programs at least you'll realize some benefit in those. Plus, right now at NewEgg you get a "Free FarCry DVD PC game, while supplies last" with the ADA3500BPBOX

Like I mentioned in my first post, you do have a socket 939 3400 Sempron 2.0GHz processor. Compared to a socket 939 Athlon 64 3200 processor it is running at the exact same clock speed - 2.0GHz vs. 2.0GHz. The Sempron has 128kb of L2 cache vs. the A64 3200 with 512kb L2 cache. That would cause a performance hit, but I still don't see how that alone would cause the Dazzle not to work :?

When you say the Dazzle doesn't work, what exactly do you mean? You can't install it? Or you install the software and can't get it to run? Do you get error messages or? Are you using a USB hub? You're sure all the other Dazzle requirements are met?
1 Hi-Speed USB port (USB 2.0)
Windows® XP, Service Pack 1 (SP1)
DirectX 9 or higher compatible sound card and graphics card (ATI Radeon or Nvidia Geforce 2 or higher recommended)

Finally, what are the specs of the Athlon system that worked with the Dazzle?

I installed the program that uses the Dazzle to record (Studio 9) but when I hook everything up, i look at the preview screen and see green lines and hear static in the backround. It cant record. I have all of the requirments but the other computer that the Dazzle worked on had an AMD Athlon XP 260+ processor (2.2 GHz). I honestly cant figure it out. Anyway, I ordered the Athlon 64 3500+. It should com sometime around Wednesday but im not going to open it unless im absolutely sure that the processor is the problem. Even if its not the problem it will be a good upgrade to my computer along with the game .


EDIT: I have an "Integrated ATI RADEON XPRESS 200 series graphics card, 256MB. I downloaded Directx 9 and ran it and it did everything smoothly. This ATI card is Directx compatible isnt it?

Is your Dazzle PCI or USB? It doesn't sound like a CPU problem, but the Athlon XP has a different chipset than Athlon 64. I have heard that earlier ATi chispets had problems with USB and I/O.

You want to get a new mobo instead.

I installed the program that uses the Dazzle to record (Studio 9) but when I hook everything up, i look at the preview screen and see green lines and hear static in the backround. It cant record. I have all of the requirments but the other computer that the Dazzle worked on had an AMD Athlon XP 260+ processor (2.2 GHz). I honestly cant figure it out. Anyway, I ordered the Athlon 64 3500+. It should com sometime around Wednesday but im not going to open it unless im absolutely sure that the processor is the problem. Even if its not the problem it will be a good upgrade to my computer along with the game .


EDIT: I have an "Integrated ATI RADEON XPRESS 200 series graphics card, 256MB. I downloaded Directx 9 and ran it and it did everything smoothly. This ATI card is Directx compatible isnt it?

For $10 more you'd get the 3800+!!!