This should be an easy one for you nice techie-peeps. I am looking to upgrade my current CPU. Why? Why not. I currently have the AMD Athlon 64 X2 4000+. I am looking to upgrade to whatever is the fastest that my system can handle.

I do know that my current mobo is an AM2 type, and these following mobo specs:

***************************************************************
General Information :
Manufacturer : Dell Inc. (Dell)
Product : 0RY206
Version : ÿÿÿ
Serial Number : ..CN698617B702CD.
Support MP : Yes, 2 CPU(s)
Version MPS : 1.4

Chassis Information :
Manufacturer : Dell Inc.
Type : Desktop
Version : Chassis Version
Serial Number : Unspecified
Asset : PASS:12/34

On-Board Device Information :
Embedded Controller : Yes

Slots Information :
Slot PCI : Available (32-bit) 5.0v
Slot PCI : In Use (32-bit) 5.0v
Slot PCI-Express : In Use (x16) 5.0v
Slot PCI-Express : Available (x1) 5.0v

External Connectors :

System Configuration Options :
Option #1 : Unspecified
****************************************************************

****************************************************************

Here are the specs for my existing CPU:

General Information :
Type : AMD Athlon 64 X2
Internal Specification : AMD Athlon(tm) 64 X2 Dual Core Processor 4000+
Model Number : 4000+
Codename : Brisbane
Revision : BH-G1
Technology : 0.065µ
CPU ID : F.B.1
CPU IDEx : F.6B.1
Brand ID : 4
Microcode : MU0FB183
K8 Revision : 6.0
Number of Logical Processors : 2
Number of Physical Processors : 2
***************************************************************

As I mentioned from the onset, I'm looking to get the fastest CPU possible installed in my box. So far in my research, I am considering the AMD Athlon 64 X2 6400+. From all of my research, I believe this is the one. I turn to you good people for knowledgable advice as I do not want some kind of meltdown on my five month old Inspirion.

I realize the wattage is higher on the 6400+. Something like 125W. And i think even the voltage is bumped a little too, not sure.

Will this AMD 6400+ CPU work on my system? What are the main considerations I need to be looking for?
Thanks in advance for your input. I will provide any and all information that is asked of me if needed.

Thanks techie-peeps!

The 6400+ runs very hot, and it does not come with a hsf! but it will work

Hi skittle, thanks for the reply. Ok, cool. So you're saying that the 6400 will be a good fit then. i can just swithch out my CPU's without incident?

It should be mentioned that my existing CPU does have a HS right on top. My computer came stock that way. Given the fact that there's a HS already in place, do you think, in your expert (yep...I said expert) opinion that the existing HS will do the job?

What would you do? Would you go with this CPU in the first place? And existing stock HS config? Given my specs and objective, is there a better solution that I am not aware of?

I value your opinion so please expand a little if you are up for it.

Thanks in advance for sharing your experience and educated reply.

I don't have a direct answer for your question, but it's related.

I have a Dell E521 as my Battlefield2/Counter Strike Source/UT3 dedicated server which is what it sounds like you have. It came with a 3200+, which I upgraded to a Brisbane X2 4800+. The only problem I ran into is that the (latest) BIOS detects the chip as 2.4Ghz. CPU-Z correctly clocks it at 2.5Ghz. Otherwise, it works flawlessly, at least as a dedicated game server.

Hello carver_g, thanks for your reply. Sounds kindo of like the situation when we install 4GB DDR2 on our 32 bit Vista PC, and the system only recognizes 3.5Gb of the 4GB DDR2 Ram.

Interesting. So your performance is there right? It's just that the BIOS is not reading the actual CPU GHz. Correct?

Also, I am wondering what kind of noticable performance gain I can expect after the successful upgrade? Going from 4000+ to 6400+ seems to me to be something that I will get to notice, and enjoy. We all like a fast rig - yes?

Thanks in advance for your second response. I appreciate your insight carver_g.

^No problem. Yes, the chip is running at its rated speed despite the erroneous BIOS reading. Still, I have no real insight to say that a 6400+ will definitely work or not.

Good luck.

Edit: here is a link that confirms that at least the 6000+ will work, plus other good information for upgrading.

http://www.dellcommunity.com/suppo [...] ing&page=1

Im sure it will be fine, the P4 prescotts (and the Pentium D series) ran much hotter than the 6400+.

as for performance gains: what were you planning on doing with it? obviously your internet and office apps wont show much improvement Media encoding will though!

Just remember that you need to reapply the thermal compound when you install your cpu!

Hi skittle, thanks for your input. I am looking to maximize my gaming experience. That is why I want to get a faster CPU. I game Crysis, and my computer handles that game beautifully. I am generally just tweaking my PC to it's maximum potential because, well, I can...lol. My system actually performs extremely well, and always has right from the start. I am not having any issues at all. I am just being a geek is all.

So the 6400+ runs hotter. Yes, I figured it would. That is fine. You're saying that my existing HS for the CPU will work just fine then?

*Of note: My box came with 2GB DDR2, and I upgraded, maxing out my Ram to 4GB, although for Vista 32 bit systems the OS only recognizes 3.5GB. Vista 64 bit systems 8GB can be realized. I also added an additional HDD. I use that for Linux Fedorea and run that OS on it's own dedicated HDD - keeping it seperate from my Vista install. So I'm really just messing around, learning. Stuff like that. I do find it interesting that it costs a lot less to upgrade after the fact rather than order up a rig with all of these parts initially installed. For my next box? I will build it myself. I'm just kind of experimenting, and learning.

*Unessessary rehtoric

Quick google search:

Pentium 4 3.2E (90nm) has a TDP of 102W.
Pentium D 820/920/930 (90nm, 65mn) have a TDP of 95W.
Pentium D 840 (90nm) has a TDP of 130W.

The Athlon 6400+ (90nm) has a TDP of 125W.

The P4E/PD chips run about the same or cooler than the 6400+.

Thanks for the research carver_g...

The OP has posted a new thread with the same topic here:

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/ [...] y-question