What kind of CPU to upgrade

[wistken]

Hello,
I would like to up grade my CPU that is a AMD Sempron(tm) Processor LE -1300 2.3 GHz. I have 3.00 GB (2.75 GB usable) RAM, 64-Bit operating system and not sure on what motherboard. I would like to know what kind and modle of CPU that would be capadibile with everything that I have. The reason for this is I need a CPU with the reqirements of at least a Pentium D, 3.2GHz/Core 2 Duo/ Athlon 64 X2 or faster. So I can play a game I want The new Medal of Honor.

 

[o1die]

You can get the board model number with programs such as cpuz or everest. Without it, we would just be guessing about the upgrade. Many oem boards by dell and packard bell don't give you options. HP sometimes lists cpus for each board on it's or compaq's website.

 

[wistken]

MY Motherboard model is PEGATRON CORPORATION-NARRAS and if you need the bios version it is HPQOEM-42302e31. I think that is write.

 

[buzznut]

MY Motherboard model is PEGATRON CORPORATION-NARRAS and if you need the bios version it is HPQOEM-42302e31. I think that is write.

Ok did you run CPU-z? Because the model number or the chipset being used is the info we require. The manufacturer and the BIOS version are nice to have, but the model name/number would be ideal.

 

[buzznut]

OK, fopund a couple threads on this motherboard:
http://www.bios-mods.com/forum/Thread-PEGATRON-Asus-M2N68-LA-Narra-6-01-CPU-Upgrade

http://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Hardware/PEGATRON-Asus-M2N68-LA-Narra-6-01-CPU-Upgrade-Error-Unsupported/td-p/297057

It appears that an X4 965 will not work, at least not without a bios update.

Is this your motherboard?
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?cc=us&lc=en&docname=c01701270

Looks like am3 will not work. The best CPU for that would be the X4 940, a black edition CPU. Its $96 and I recommend it:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103644

But any am2+ CPU should work according to HP.

 

[wistken]

It looks like my motherboard is a M2N68-LA (Narra5) so the X4 940, a black edition CPU is good on to buy? How do I update the bios?

 

[o1die]

Your board is limited to 95 watt cpus. The phenom II's often require an 8 pin 12v board connector to handle the extra juice. I recommend you try one of the propus quad core cpus. They are rated at 95 watts.

 

[buzznut]

That link to the motherboard page will have the BIOS update, it should include directions on how to update.
Propus won't work, they are am3.

Here's an X2 BE 7850 for $45:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103677

Here's an X3 for $80
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103679

That is likely the best CPU you can run in that board. I am getting the X2 for my neice, that's a pretty nice CPU for $40. It may be a good one to get you by until you're ready for a system upgrade.

 

[megamanx00]

There is no point in you getting a Black Edition CPU since most HP board will have a locked BIOS thus preventing you from overclocking it as intended by the Black Edition Designation. Still, the 7850 is cheap and should be supported by your board with a BIOS update. I think if you're spending money on it you may as well get an Athlon II X4 Propos CPU

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103871

Just get in touch with HP tech support to make sure that your board really will support it with a BIOS update.

 

[megamanx00]

I just to add that if you get the 7850 X2 BE you could get a new motherboard latter which would allow you to overclock that CPU. Of course then you go down the path of continually upgrading and before you know it you're a hardware junkie like the rest of us ^_^

 

[buzznut]

There is no point in you getting a Black Edition CPU since most HP board will have a locked BIOS thus preventing you from overclocking it as intended by the Black Edition Designation. Still, the 7850 is cheap and should be supported by your board with a BIOS update. I think if you're spending money on it you may as well get an Athlon II X4 Propos CPU

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103871

Just get in touch with HP tech support to make sure that your board really will support it with a BIOS update.

Guys-AM3 is NOT supported by this motherboard. I repeat, AM3 is NOT supported.

 

[buzznut]

Your board is limited to 95 watt cpus. The phenom II's often require an 8 pin 12v board connector to handle the extra juice. I recommend you try one of the propus quad core cpus. They are rated at 95 watts.

From HP's website:

Processor upgrade information
Motherboard supports the following processor upgrades:
Socket type: AM2+
TDP: 95 watt

*
AMD Phenom II Quad-Core
*
AMD Phenom II Triple-Core
*
AMD Phenom Quad-Core (A) 9xxx series (AM2+)
*
AMD Phenom Triple-Core (T) 8xxx series (AM2+)
*
AMD Athlon X4
*
AMD Athlon X3
*
AMD Athlon X2 (B) (AM2+)


» HP and Compaq Desktop PCs -- Motherboard Specifications, M2N68-LA (Narra)
» -- Compaq Presario CQ5210F Desktop PC Product Specifications
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HP and Compaq Desktop PCs

 

[wistken]

I thank you for all your guys help and teachings The CPU has to meet these requirements pentium D, 3.2Ghz/ Core 2 Duo/ Athlon 64 X2 or faster for the game I want to play. What would be the best bang for your buck?

 

[wistken]

On these CPUs

AMD Phenom II Quad-Core
*
AMD Phenom II Triple-Core
*
AMD Phenom Quad-Core (A) 9xxx series (AM2+)
*
AMD Phenom Triple-Core (T) 8xxx series (AM2+)
*
AMD Athlon X4
*
AMD Athlon X3
*
AMD Athlon X2 (B) (AM2+)

 

[o1die]

Depends on your vender. Your board uses previous generations of amd cpus. Newegg has the 7850 for $42.99 shipped. You may try your old amd heatsink and monitor your temps with coretemp. If the temps exceed 70c under load while gaming, then you will need a better heatsink.

 

[Onus]

I agree with buzznut's (& o1die's) suggestion to get the 7850, but you will almost certainly need a better heat sink than the one you have. You won't be overclocking, so you don't need something fancy or expensive. Something like this would be sufficient: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835150101
There are slightly cheaper ones, but they may not be able to handle a 95W CPU.

 

[wistken]

What are the steps to overclock the 7850? and What better heat sink will I need for this? I would like to try overclocking if I could.

 

[buzznut]

For AMD black edition CPU's, Its as simple as changing the multiplier. AMD CPU's have a reference clock that runs at 200Mhz. The multi on a 2.8Ghz CPU is therefore a 14X.

If you want to run @ 3.0, change the multi to 15X. This way all the other components will still run at normal speed and the overclock is only on the cpu.

Here's a primer:
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/phenom-overclock-athlon,2161.html

But as others have suggested, overclocking with this cheapo HP motherboard even if possible ( and it likely isn;t possible) it isn't recommended. With the cheap components its possible you could fry something, but as suggested its probably locked anyway.

Here;\;s a suggestion, grab a motherboard that is capable of doing some overclocking/core unlocking and a decent CPU and play around with it:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157204

Its a $45 investment that will use your current ram, and will allow for some tinkering.

 

[wistken]

I went a head and order the 7850 and the heat sink too. I wanted to know is it just plug and play or are there steps to getting it to work right?

 

[buzznut]

Not sure what you mean. The CPU should drop right into the socket, I've no idea if you need a BIOS update first.

I would do a BIOS update with your current CPU now, then you should be fine for when the new one comes in. However BIOS updating is a very sensitive process and you should be certain you know what you are doing and follow the directions implicitly. If you fail to do so you could brick your motherboard.

 

[o1die]

You won't be overclocking with that hp motherboard. The board should recognize the 7850 when you first boot up. No oem boards by hp, gateway, or dell have any overclocking options in the bios. To overclock, you have to change motherboards. So try the 7850 and I hope you're satisfied with the performance.

 

[buzznut]

You won't be overclocking with that hp motherboard. The board should recognize the 7850 when you first boot up. No oem boards by hp, gateway, or dell have any overclocking options in the bios. To overclock, you have to change motherboards. So try the 7850 and I hope you're satisfied with the performance.

HAHA-well it will certainly top a sempy 1150!

 

[wistken]

Best answer selected by wistken.