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AMD Sempron > AMD 64 X2

Forum CPU & Components : Other Components AMD Sempron > AMD 64 X2

I am looking to replace my AMD Sempron with an AMD 64 X2 on my NF61V micro AM2 mainboard. At the same time I am increasing my hard drive to 1TB and my RAM to two 1GB sticks, 2GBs total. Currently I have 80GB hard drive and 1 stick of 256 MB RAM. I am also looking to change from Windows XP operating system to Windows 7. Is this advisable? And will it work? I chiefly use my computer for music and college school work.

If its not obvious by what I just wrote, I am a novice computer person. I have spent hours reading different sites on what to do, I just want some personalized help.

Reply to novice_72

256mb ram? thats terrible? yes you should definitely upgrade to 2gb! and windows 7 is a great os, it will actually run faster than xp on that machine. what psu are you using? make sure it has the power for the better cpu!

Reply to shovenose

Is this your mobo?
http://www.biostar-usa.com/app/en- [...] p?S_ID=130

You can get a 45W or 65W Athlon II X2 like:

AMD Athlon X2
5050e 45W ADH5050IAA5DO - 2.6GHz
4850e 45W (code ADH2300IAA5DD) - 2.5GHz
4450e 45W ADH4450IAA5DO - 2.3GHz
5400+ 65W ADO5400IAA5DO or ADO5400IAA5DS - 2,8GHz
4600+ ADO4600IAA5DO - 2.4GHz
etc
or others from here
http://products.amd.com/en-us/desk [...] &f11=&f12=

Since the CPU support list isn't working for that mobo on their sites better contact them and ask if all the Athlon X2 CPUs are supported on your BIOS version and on the latest. From the link below I see that they made another BIOS (N61VMB03.BS)- "Added support AM2 new CPU". On the other page on top of this reply the latest version is N61vm524.bs with Win7 support and there are new drivers too.

http://www.biostar-usa.com/mbdetai [...] icro%20am2

Are you sure that stick of RAM is only 256 MB. Go in All programs/accessories/system tools/system information and check. Write in here the BIOS version as well, you'll probably need a BIOS update.

But Win7 needs more RAM to work so stick with XP and buy more RAM, like 2 sticks of 1GB to replace yours.

For the HDD you can get a Samsung Spinpoint F3 500GB or 1TB.

Reply to mosox

dont get a sasung hard drive. they arent as reliable and quiet as western digital caviar blacks, blues, or greens.

Reply to shovenose

I have already purchased the HDD, its a western digital 1TB caviar green with 64MB cache. As for the BIOS I checked and I think its 2.4. I was wrong earlier, I currently have 512MB of RAM, in the form of 1 stick. I was wondering, will I need to buy cooling gel for the new CPU, and where do I find out what PSU I am using? And when I go to do all of these updates, what order do I do them in. I have a new HDD, two new 1GB sticks of RAM, windows 7OS, microsoft office 2010, and the CPU listed below(will have the last one, hopefully soon).

The CPU I am looking into buying is
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] -_-Product

Speed is very important to me, I hate to wait, and I just want to be able to multitask between papers and what not and the internet. Thank you for all of your help.

Message quoted 1 times

Reply to novice_72

put in the cpu and apply thermal paste and heatsink. then put in the ram, then win7, then software.

really it doesnt matter all that much. just do the hardware upgrades BEFORE installing windows. open the side of your case and lok at the psu label to see which you have

Reply to shovenose

http://www.online-tech-tips.com/co [...] s-version/

You can install Windows 7 only on one motherboard so you might want to keep that for your next PC.

That CPU doesn't come with a heatsink so you need to buy one and some arctic silver 5. This one comes with the HSF, it's new and a good CPU and you have the thermal paste on the heatsink already.
http://www.amazon.com/AMD-Athlon-B [...] 49&sr=1-16

Maybe you should start all over and get a new mobo and CPU for your RAM.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Comb [...] mbo.564801
You have 4 RAM slots and good onboard video. The mobo can use the latest AMD CPUs. Hopefully it will fit in your case but we need more details about that case.

Reply to mosox

will I not be able to use the heatsink that is currently in it? And as far as just buying a new motherboard, that seems like it would overall complete the project but also takes it far past what I think I have the capabilities to do. And I'm not sure that any extra accessories, ports, connections, etc would be able to fit in the case that I currently have. So for now, I will just do the CPU, HDD, RAM, and OS. Thank you though. And I did check my Power Supply Unit, there is a small chart of numbers, with columns for voltage, current, and frequency, and rows for input and output. I'm not sure which of these numbers you need. There is actually in total 18 different numbers ranging between volts, amps, and Hz. So if you need any of this information just let me know. Again, thank you for helping me with this, I am learning so much.

Reply to novice_72

Your current HSF is not rated for 95W. The +12V rail is the one important, for instance:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Imag [...] r%20Supply

Click on the small image with the label. +12V = 492w. Also the brand.

Message edited by mosox on 12-27-2010 at 06:39:34 AM

Reply to mosox

novice_72 wrote :

Speed is very important to me, I hate to wait, and I just want to be able to multitask between papers and what not and the internet. Thank you for all of your help.

NO, that cpu in particular will not work.!
here is your current upgrade list:
http://www.cpu-upgrade.com/mb-Bios [...] 2_1.0.html

that is one of the first AM2 boards and will only handle chips up to Athlon 64x2 Windsor class.
with a BIOS update you can more than likely run Brisbane class cpu's..
the Athlon II X2 will not work.
it looks like mosox just left out the 64 and just listed the cpu's as II X2.
I'm just clearing it all up a little.

you actual most powerful options are these:
(Windsor)
AMD Athlon 64 X2 6000+ (3.0GHz) ADA6000IAA6CZ
(Brisbane)
AMD Athlon 64 X2 6000+ (3.1GHz) ADV6000IAA5DO
AMD Athlon 64 X2 5800+ (3.0GHz) ADO5800IAA5DO - the higher rated chip out of all three options.
$75 - http://www.buy.com/prod/amd-athlon [...] 92886.html

as for the rest, I agree that you do need upgrades in RAM and other hardware.
my point here is to clear up the processor department.
good-luck.

Message edited by malmental on 12-27-2010 at 02:59:05 PM

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Reply to malmental

So with the AMD Athlon 64 X2 5800+ (3.0GHz) ADO5800IAA5DO cpu will I still need to upgrade the HSF?

Message quoted 1 times

Reply to novice_72

no, afresh application of AS5 or better thermal compound but a quality aftermarket cpu cooler/heatsink is a good idea for under $35.!
Scythe SCSK-1100 100mm Shuriken Rev. B 3 Heat Pipes CPU Cooler - AS5 thermal compound
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6835185097

Message edited by malmental on 01-03-2011 at 02:38:31 AM

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Reply to malmental

Contact Biostar and ask them about those CPUs above.

Message quoted 1 times

Reply to mosox

mosox wrote :

Contact Biostar and ask them about those CPUs above.

no need.
I know for a fact they (one's I suggested) will work.
But if wanting to take the time then it's a good idea I guess..

------------------------------ A+, Net+, MCDST, DSCE (Dell)
Reply to malmental

novice_72 wrote :

So with the AMD Athlon 64 X2 5800+ (3.0GHz) ADO5800IAA5DO cpu will I still need to upgrade the HSF?

chip is on sale now...
if you haven't already purchased then let me know if you want to and I'll link you to them.
I just ordered one for a friend and it was $55 shipped..

------------------------------ A+, Net+, MCDST, DSCE (Dell)
Reply to malmental

oh cool, yes I would enjoy that link.
otherwise this is the one I found:
http://www.buy.com/prod/amd-athlon [...] 92887.html

Reply to novice_72

http://www.superbiiz.com/detail.ph [...] 05beacf0d3
Price: $52.98

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Reply to malmental

is there a noticable difference in these two cpus?
http://www.buy.com/prod/amd-athlon [...] 92887.html
or
http://www.superbiiz.com/detail.ph [...] 05beacf0d3
obviously the first one comes with the fan, so Im wondering which I should go with, if my current fan would work, I don't want to spend the money. But one is listed at 3.0GHz, while the other is only 2.6GHz.

this is the last piece of hardware I will need to purchase so I want to make sure I get the best one possible.

Reply to novice_72

mis-print..

another alternative that seems to be correct:
http://www.eworldsale.com/ews_product_8665_57949.html
$57.24
what is your current cpu/cooler situation.?

Message edited by malmental on 01-03-2011 at 04:41:42 AM

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Reply to malmental

Get a AM2+ mobo and a AM3 CPU.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813128394
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819103903

Reply to mosox

Thank you everyone for your help. I went to the computer store where I bought the original computer three years ago and I was told that they could order me a Athlon 64 X2 6400 3.2GHz. They remembered using those motherboards and told me that that cpu would be the best I would be able to upgrade to. They offered to order it for me for 70 dollars. Feeling this was a good deal, I went ahead and agreed. But just in case there we dessenting opinions amongst the people who have been helping me this entire time, I thought I would post it here. They also said my current HSF would work.

Reply to novice_72

^
NO...!!!!
that's the 125-watt cpu
I did not list that for a reason.........
if you get that cpu then depending on the rest of your set-up you might need a upgrade in power supply if not now then later if you choose to upgrade again.
I know what I'm talking about and I did not list that for this main reason.

the one's I listed are the top of the mine 89-watt cpu's that run more efficiently and then newer technology.
it amazes me what happens when someone walks into a sale's trap, suckers..
good-luck with that..

Message edited by malmental on 01-04-2011 at 05:40:16 PM

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Reply to malmental

good, thank you. I will go back and ask him to only do the 5800. That is what we started talking about but then he said, why not go one more higher. I am not a sucker and I will not fall for a sales trap that will leave me upgrading my power supply, there is no need for it.

Reply to novice_72

I have gotten more information about my power switching suppy box, here is its model.
ATX SWITCHING POWER SUPPLY
MODEL: EP 43060
On the box it says its peak load is 430W, I dont know if this means I can do the higher level CPU or not. What do you think?

Reply to novice_72

stay with the Brisbane 89-watt like I suggested.
look at the bigger pic, your going to upgrade your RAM and other hardware hopefully including second HDD and gfx card. (i hope anyways)
with that 430-watt power supply you do not want to mess around with a 125-watt cpu.
your future decision in gfx card will also factor into this logic.
plus, does your board even support 125 to 140-watt processors (it might)
but lots only allow up to 95-watt chips.

Message edited by malmental on 01-04-2011 at 06:01:42 PM

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Reply to malmental

holy crud, now we are talking about graphics cards?! I think I have something about nVida or something like that, it came up on one of my many inner computer seaches. but for now, since im not a gamer or anything I will just leave it.

Reply to novice_72

that was just a default suggestion if you were trying to game.
I do not game anymore either.
but the info is out there in case you do want to upgrade gfx in the future..

------------------------------ A+, Net+, MCDST, DSCE (Dell)
Reply to malmental

your power supply is a piece of $h!t...
http://www.jonnyguru.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5801

Reply to shovenose

okay, i've purchased all the parts, it should be a few days before I get the CPU (athlon 64 x2 5800 3.0GHz) I think, based on one of the earlier posts, that the next thing I need to do is run a BIOS update. How exactly do I do this? I'm not even sure what BIOS is- haha. Remember the user name, novice...

Reply to novice_72

a BIOS update might not be needed with that chip...
but here:
http://www.biostar-usa.com/mbdownl [...] ICRO%20AM2
http://www.biostar-usa.com/bioshelp.asp

Message edited by malmental on 01-06-2011 at 09:59:14 PM

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Reply to malmental

I am on a blue screen that lists several options that will be very helpful later. But I cannot find what version of BIOS I am currently running. And my computer doesnt have a floppy drive. So, where would I go within this menu screen to find the BIOS, and can I use a CD in place of a floppy disk. It seems the BioStar site is a little out of date.

Reply to novice_72

if you are in the BIOS then it should be at the top in the left hand side..

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Reply to malmental

top left hand side side says, phoenix- award workstationBIOS CMOS
then below that starts the menu options
Standard CMOS Features
Advanced BIOS Features
Advanced Chipset Features
Integrated Peripherals
Power Management Setup
PnP/PCI Configurations
PC Health Status
Ive been in a few of these submenus and I just cant find the specific BIOS.

Reply to novice_72

UGH!!! I went to do all my replacements today and realized I was not ready. Need now to purchase new RAM, 240 pin this time, not the stupid 184pin, and an adapter cord from 4pin to 15pin molex for the new harddrive. This is truly going to be a fun update. Oh, and did I mention, since I only had one SATA cable I couldnt get the computer to recognize the new HDD, my computer friend said it was because I needed the 4pin to 15pin molex sata power cable. Maybe by next week this will all work out.

Reply to novice_72

obstacles bro, obstacles..
keep up the push, don't get too frustrated..
have you found the RAM yet.?

------------------------------ A+, Net+, MCDST, DSCE (Dell)
Reply to malmental

The computer store says new RAM will be in on wednesday. I have the new CPU now and the new HDD, I havent turned the computer on. I am unsure how to progress now. The new CPU is in the socket, but I dont want to hurt it. What do I do next. I think I read something somewhere about clocking speed, and other things that confuse me.

Reply to novice_72

you installed the cpu WITH THERMAL PASTE and heatsink and it's all secure.?

------------------------------ A+, Net+, MCDST, DSCE (Dell)
Reply to malmental

yeah, but i never did a bios update because i couldnt figure it out, with all the menus i never found what version i am currently running, i have downloaded the one on the biostar site to a flashdrive, since i dont have a floppy disk or floppy disk drive like their site says. but i dont know what to do now, do i just try to turn the computer on without the bios update and see if it works, or do i reinstall the old cpu and do the update. i just dont want to hurt the new cpu. and since i just got the converter for the sata power i dont have an operating system now

Reply to novice_72

I think I may have found something more about the BIOS, something physically on the board says D886.

Reply to novice_72

but since the new cpu is installed just try it out now it won't hurt if installed correctly.
if it's not compatible then the unit won't run and you'll get error lights and/or beeps, but no damage done to the cpu itself.

Message edited by malmental on 01-16-2011 at 12:54:41 AM

------------------------------ A+, Net+, MCDST, DSCE (Dell)
Reply to malmental

having trouble with the cpu, all the lights are on for a bit, but then the disc drive lights shut down and the flash drive ports. The speaker and keyboard lights stay on, but the monitor remains unresponsive. I can only assume this is the cpu. I called biostar today and they told me my version of BIOS should support the brisbane class of cpus. They also told me that it is only listed up to 5600. But the tech support said that 5800 should work since its still a brisbane core. When I use my old sempron cpu, everything works, the ram and new HDD, which has been loaded with Windows 7. Im just concerned that the new cpu is too much. Can anyone talk me off the edge?

Reply to novice_72

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