Upgrading my processor and need info

[alt1231]

Ok I'm trying to upgrade my processor and need some info. about the power supply. Will I need to upgrade my power supply? I have a 300 watt supply. The processor I'm looking to upgrade to is AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual-Core 6000+.
MY mother board is MCP61SM-GM 2DIMM w/O 1394 PCIe.

 

[GhislainG]

You're buying an 89W CPU. What's your current CPU? If it's the same wattage, then it's fine.

 

[jimishtar]

300 is low in these days. get 500w

 

[GhislainG]

If he upgrades from an 89W CPU to another 89W CPU, a PSU upgrade is not required. Unfortunately the OP didn't say anything about his current CPU and other components in the system.

 

[alt1231]

These are my system specs I didnt add the detailed info.
I wasnt sure if you were talking about the Thermal Design Power.

> Mainboard : ELITEGROUP MCP61SM-GM

> Chipset : nVidia 6100V

> Processor : AMD Athlon 64 3800+ @ 2400 MHz

> Physical Memory : 2048 MB (2 x 1024 DDR2-SDRAM )

> Video Card : NVIDIA GeForce 8600 GT

> Hard Disk : ST325031 (250 GB)

> DVD-Rom Drive : TSSTcorp CDDVDW TS-H652H ATA Device

> Monitor Type : E17T6W - 17 inches

> Network Card : Realtek Semiconductor RT8139 (A/B/C/810x/813x/C+) Fast Ethernet Adapter

> Operating System : Windows Vista (TM) Home Premium Home Edition 6.00.6002 Service Pack 2

<<< Mainboard >>>

> Manufacturer : Gateway

>> General Information
Product : W5243
Version : 400
Serial Number : GC58140014529
Unique ID : FEFEFEFE-FEFEFEFE-FEFEFEFE-FEFEFEFE
SKU : Unspecified
Family : Unspecified
Start mode : Power Switch

> Mainboard : ELITEGROUP MCP61SM-GM

>> General Information
Manufacturer : ELITEGROUP
Product : MCP61SM-GM
Version : 1.0
Serial Number : Unspecified
Support MP : Yes, 1 CPU(s)
Version MPS : 1.4

>> Chassis Information
Manufacturer : Gateway
Type : Desktop
Version : MCP61SM-GM
Serial Number : Unknow
Asset : Unknow

>> Sensor Information
Hardware Monitoring : ITE IT8726F

>> On-Board Device Information
Embedded Controller : Yes
<<< Processor >>>

> Processor : AMD Athlon 64 3800+

>> General Information
Type : AMD Athlon 64
Internal Specification : AMD Athlon(tm) 64 Processor 3800+
Model Number : 3800+
Codename : Lima
Technology : 0.065µ
CPU ID : F.F.1
CPU IDEx : F.7F.1
Brand ID : 4
Microcode : MU0FF10
K8 Revision : 6.0

 

[RazberyBandit]

Use CPU-Z to ID the current 3800+ so you know if it's the 65W or 89W version.

http://www.cpuid.com/cpuz.php

 

[GhislainG]

The 3800+ Lima is a single-core 45W CPU. If it's a good quality PSU, then adding a 44W load to it shouldn't be an issue (according to Antec Power Supply Calculator).

 

[alt1231]

Where does it show the wattage of the cpu IN CPU-IDz

 

[GhislainG]

CPU-Z doesn't show wattage, but once you know which processor you have, then you can find that info at AMD.com. Since you already posted that you have a 3800+ Lima and that you want to buy an Athlon 64 X2 Dual-Core 6000+, it was easy to find out their wattage.

 

[alt1231]

I used the Antec Power Supply thing and it shows that with the processor I'd only have 13 watt left to spare from it with my hardware config . Should I upgrade it or will it be fine

 

[paranoidmage]

Why not get X2 250 or X2 550? They have lower power usage, are probably cheaper, and will perform better.

I think it's a better idea to spend more money on a better low power processor than to get the 6000+ if you spend on a PSU upgrade.

If you want to go with the 6000+, I think your PSU will be fine.

 

[GhislainG]

Why not get X2 250 or X2 550?

Is it supported on that Gateway motherboard?

 

[GhislainG]

I used the Antec Power Supply thing and it shows that with the processor I'd only have 13 watt left to spare from it with my hardware config . Should I upgrade it or will it be fine

Then you have more in your system than what was listed. It would be safer to upgrade the PSU.

 

[geofelt]

The need for a better psu is mainly driven by the vga configuration. Assuming that will not change, and you are running ok now, then you will probably not need a better psu for a slightly hungrier dpu.

That said, a stronger psu will run more efficiently and quieter if it has some capability in reserve.

Look for a 450w unit from corsair or PC P&C, particularly if you may want to upgrade your vga card in the future.

 

[RazberyBandit]

First, my bad for missing the Lima thing in the specs post.

I have to agree with the Phenom II X2 550 argument, if it's supported. That or an X2 Kuma 7750/7850 would be a better choice than the X2 6000+. 2 MBs of L3 cache works wonders over none at all, even at their lower stock-clock speed. You should probably check with Gateway (maybe even ECS) for a BIOS update to support these "newer" processors.

As for power concerns, there are plenty of excellent 400-450W PSUs available at Newegg.com for 30-50 dollars. (I just bought an Antec earthwatts EA430 for $49.99.) Many (not all) of them are of newer design, which means they're more efficient and supply a solid amount of 12V power, which is exactly what more modern PCs need.

 

[alt1231]

COuld either of you look up and match fastest ossible processor for me? I'm looking to upgrade to fastest cpu I can

 

[RazberyBandit]

It all depends on the BIOS. Since OEMs like Gateway tend to cripple the BIOS in their motherboards, so it all depends on them.

Call them and ask.