Want a cpu upgrade! Need help finding one!

swanyjr

Distinguished
Jul 13, 2009
31
0
18,530
I need help finding a cpu and most likely a new motherboard that will make my multi tasking faster! I have a HP a420N desktop from years ago. I currently have 2gb of ram, but it still seems like my cpu is s l o w ! ! !

Does anyone have suggestions or links to upgrades they recommend?
 

r_manic

Administrator
What's your budget? And what do you plan on using the "faster" computer for? Personally, you should consider just getting a new computer. It will be cheaper than you think it is!
 

mi1ez

Splendid


What CPU have you currently got? and what CPU socket (You can check both using CPU-Z)
 

swanyjr

Distinguished
Jul 13, 2009
31
0
18,530
My budget is about $150ish. I just want to be able to multi task without my computer slowing down to a turtle's pace. Example: I would like to be able to run AVG scans, download, install and surf the net at the same time....is that too much to ask? I don't really game at all...I just like to multi task.
 

swanyjr

Distinguished
Jul 13, 2009
31
0
18,530
my current cpu is an athlon amd 3000+ 2.167 GHz....pretty sure its a socket A?....from what I've been gathering.....
 

sanchz

Distinguished
Mar 2, 2009
272
0
18,810


You'll need a new mobo. Something like this should do fine:
Gigabyte GA-MA78GM-US2H
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128379
$75

You'll love this CPU:
Athlon II X2 250 3.0 GHz
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103681
$80

Total: $155 (and the mobo has a $10 mail-in rebate)

As to the mobo, I just picked one that supported the Athlon II, and supports higher end Phenom IIs (for upgrades), and has decent onboard graphics (for casual gaming).
Someone else may suggest a better/ cheaper motherboard, I'm just too lazy to search for other options.
 
Need a few more details.
Are you running the software that came on the HP, or have you upgraded since you bought it with a retail version of Windows? I ask because if it is the original OEM software that came with the HP, it will not likely work on another motherboard. If you have a retail version of Windows though, you are in good shape.
You will need a motherboard, CPU, memory. At the least. Worst scenerio, you'll also need a new PSU, and maybe case to go along with it. A new faster drive would help a lot as well for what you are talking about. Don't worry about a fancy video card or sound card, the onboard video and sound will work for you.
 

sanchz

Distinguished
Mar 2, 2009
272
0
18,810
The Athlon II X2 250 is rated at 65w, while your current Athlon 3000+ is rated at 75w, so you won't probably need a new PSU.
And I forgot about memory. You'll need new DDR2 sticks.
 

coolblue

Distinguished
Feb 7, 2008
19
0
18,510
Here's a decent setup if you're not a gamer.

AMD Athlon X2 7550 Kuma - $49.99
Kingston 2GB (2 x 1GB) DDR2 800 - $30.99
GIGABYTE GA-M61PME-S2P - $52.99

Total - $129.47

Add in tax and S&H if you order online and you should be around the $150 mark. If you have an extra $20 you should upgrade to 4GB ram and that should more than meet your needs. You would also have a bit of upgrade room if you should need it in the future.

I can't find any info on what PSU you have but if it's at least 300W you should be fine, unless you add a video card then I'd say you'd want at least a 400W PSU.

Unfortunately, after a little more searching, it looks like your PSU is only rated for 250W so unfortunately it looks like you're going to need a new PSU too! :(
 
Yeah, you'll need new RAM too. Anyway running a virus scan while trying to install something with slow any system down. The more resources you get, CPU speed HD speed or RAM, the more your virus scanner will want to use. Run less background programs, and schedule your virus scans for when you aren't doing anything too important.
 

sanchz

Distinguished
Mar 2, 2009
272
0
18,810


The Kuma dualie is rated at 95w, so I'd say either get the Athlon II 250 or this:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103235
Athlon X2 5400+ at 2.8 GHz at 65 w.
These should enable you to keep your PSU as it won't use more watts than your current CPU.
 

sanchz

Distinguished
Mar 2, 2009
272
0
18,810
I've already said it:
THE 7550 CONSUMES 95W!!!
This means his PSU may not work with it.
Sooooo, he'll need either the 65w Athlon X2 versions (brisbane) or the Athlon II.
But I must say wisecracker's combo is unbeatable.
 

swanyjr

Distinguished
Jul 13, 2009
31
0
18,530
I love the feedback you guys are giving me! I've done some research and I like the Athlon X2. I think I got the info I was looking for. Like I said, I'm not a gamer, my ADHD needs a faster processor! I don't know why, but I tend to do a million things at a time when I'm on. Random question: Do you guys ever leave you computers on during the day...or is that a horrible habbit?
 

coolblue

Distinguished
Feb 7, 2008
19
0
18,510
Well I'm not sure what motherboard you're talking about as your link is broken but I believe it means it'll only support DDR2 1200 ram if you overclock the base clock of the board. The ram I linked to in my post above would work fine with that board but I doubt you'll get it to 1200.

If you do go with the Athlon X2 5400+ make sure you don't get the 95nm version as you'll still have power problems then. Here's the different versions of that cpu.

As for leaving my computer on, I run a lot of P2P seeding/downloading so mine's on pretty much 24/7. At four years old it's still going strong. I've also discovered that with the Intel Pentium 4 3.06 GHz CPU and a very inefficient PSU it also doubles as an effective space heater! :D
 

sanchz

Distinguished
Mar 2, 2009
272
0
18,810


I infer that it officially supports DDR2 1066, but you can get 1200 DDR2 and "force" it (ie: overclock) to run at 1200 mhz.
But DDR2 800 mhz with low timings is fine.

And as coolblue said, be careful to pick the 5400+ with TDP 65w, or any other Athlon X2 with 65w TDP. There are even 45w 2.5 GHz chips. The BEST you can get with 65w power consuption is the Athlon II X2 250. And if you could afford it, there are even Phenom IIs X3 and X4 rated at 65w.
Bear this in mind, the power consuption issue arises from the fact that you'll keep your PSU and cannot upgrade it as well.
 

swanyjr

Distinguished
Jul 13, 2009
31
0
18,530
Is this video card any good for my comp? 512MB EVGA nVidia GeForce 6200 AGP Video Card? It should run with my PS....anyone?
 

ahslan

Distinguished
Aug 23, 2007
941
0
18,990
Well that video card wont work on any current motherboard because its AGP and not pci express...but you can get a mobo that has onboard video already on it...like a 780g chipset motherboard...