Upgrade 3200 to 4200 X2--Special Considerations?

[nullGumby]

Currently I have:

AMD Athlon 64 3200+ (http://www.amdcompare.com/us-en/desktop/details.aspx?opn=ADA3200DAA4BP)

And I'm buying:

AMD Athlon 64 X2 4200+ (http://www.amdcompare.com/us-en/desktop/details.aspx?opn=ADA4200DAA5CD)

--both Socket 939.

I'm wondering if there's anything special I have to do besides drop the new CPU in--like in regards to voltage, "jumpers", BIOS settings and things. My motherboard is a:

MSI RS482M4-FD/ ILD/ IL/ L (http://global.msi.com.tw/index.php?func=proddesc&prod_no=215&maincat_no=1).

Thanks so much for the help.

 

[ddwaldon]

Shouldnt be too much to do.

pretty much download the x2 drivers from amd,s website
and you should be good to go.

 

[vip3569]

Are you running xp service pack 2? I saw this link, might help.
http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=81429

 

[nullGumby]

vip3569,

Wow. I never even thought to look to AMD for drivers--just figured Windows Update would have everything I needed...(it feels pretty silly typing that aloud now that I think about it)...

Thanks a lot!

 

[utaka95]

After doing the swap make sure windows sees both cores by checking the task manager to see if it shows 2 cpu usage graphs. Simplest way to verify dual core operation.

 

[nullGumby]

Yeah--that's probably the easiest... I'm excited to install it but MAN I'm worried about breaking something. I need to get some thermal jelly stuff. I'm going to get "Arctic Silver® Silver 5 Thermal Compound" (http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2216879).

For now I'm planning on running with the stock AMD heat sink/fan I have for the 3200. Anyone know of any problems with that idea?

 

[jitpublisher]

Hi again. Should pretty much just be a drop-in replacement on your board.
When you first boot, you should get the new harware detected thing, a short install will run, then ask you to reboot. You should then see 2 cpus in your task manager and 2 in your device manager.
The AMD dual core optimizer is driver that does something with the timing of the 2 cores where there may some problem with some very specific programs-I don't remember exactly...but it will tell on the page when you go get it from AMD. Most people don't ever need it, but it's a small download- quick and easy to install.
Good luck on the install and enjoy your new dual core! I think you will be glad you upgraded.

 

[nullGumby]

Alright...Done!

I got the new CPU in, and the new RAM--looks like everything's working fine.

I saw that I have 2 GB of RAM, and in Process Explorer I see the two processor windows. SysInfo tells me AMD 4200+ Dual--just like it's suposed to.

My first real test was running a Prime95 torture test for a few minutes...got the CPU up to 46 C and then stopped the test--but under normal usage it seems to be around 40 C.

I still have yet to try some gaming or anything--but I'm just glad I didn't order the wrong parts or break something. Thanks again for everyone's help.