Cpu upgrade. Decisions decisions...

[EmoHz]

Ive just spent about a half hour reading about cpu upgrades for my computer (OEM) and have seen people that just guess around on the subject with no clear answers as to what my possibilities are.

Lets start with the machine I am referring to, its not completely OEM anymore hehe;
Emachines ET1331G-03W
650w Cooler Master PSU
EVGA GTX 570
Athlon II x2 @2.7 (235e AM3)
6GB DDR2 800



Besides the ram bottleneck, the main question i have is the motherboard limitations for CPU power. Ive hears some say that it has a 65w limit, 89w limit and 99w limit. Some even go as far to say they have heard of 'a friend of a friend' having put a phenom x4 in there with no problems. Id rather clear this up before I go out and blast some $$ away.

This is what im looking at.
If there is a 99w limit
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103809

If there is an 65w or 89w limit:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103910


Ive even heard that the bios only supports 2 cores. Just a bit confuzzled.

 

[EmoHz]

MCP61PM-GM rev 2.4

Why did i never think of that...

 

[EmoHz]

DDR2 ram. I want to get a new mobo and switch to a higher clock ddr3 but thats out of my range at the moment. Especially when you have to dump money into a car that barely runs!

 

[EmoHz]

Yea isnt the Athlon II x2 235e a AM3? Im seeing some spec sites saying its am3 mobo and some saying it is am2/am2+. As well as some 4gb versions but mine has a max of 8gb of ddr2

 

[FALC0N]

Yea isnt the Athlon II x2 235e a AM3? Im seeing some spec sites saying its am3 mobo and some saying it is am2/am2+. As well as some 4gb versions but mine has a max of 8gb of ddr2

As Malmental said, AM3 chips work in AM2 and AM2+ boards, so long as the manufacturer provides an updated bios to support the new cpu.

AM3 and AM2+ are the same basic platform. The difference is memory. AM2+ uses DDR 2 while AM3 uses DDR 3. The AM3 chips have a memory controller that supports DDR 2 or 3 and therefore can be used in either board.

 

[FALC0N]

As for the processor upgrade question, the stock cpu is a C2 revision at 65 watts. Its a decent bet the board will support any C2 chip at 65 watts. This chip should work, but its costly.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103907

 

[EmoHz]

As for the processor upgrade question, the stock cpu is a C2 revision at 65 watts. Its a decent bet the board will support any C2 chip at 65 watts. This chip should work, but its costly.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103907

Woah yeah thats costly. Does it have good over clocking capabilities for when i do upgrade mobo/ram/case?

If so ill go ahead and order it now

 

[FALC0N]

I just noticed the link to the board specs go up to 89 watts. That should allow the Athlon II X4 620 and 630 if you can find the old C2 versions. The X3 720 on newegg is a C2. C2 chips in general have become really hard to find.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103652

I also found the X4 910e on Amazon for $160.

While I am fairly sure these chips will work, I don't feel comfortable recommending it. I just don't trust that board. I sure wouldn't toss $160 at it. The ideal chip would be a X4 630 C2 rev, but I cant find one right now.

If your really intent on upgrading, I would roll with the X3 720 and cross my fingers.

 

[EmoHz]

Hmmm I am debating if its even worth it with this board now. I know that 800mhz ram is going to be another bottleneck for one of those cpus but I need more power!

Im thinking of just going ahead and starting my build project with buying a new case, waiting a couple weeks, then mobo etc etc with all the other costly upgrades.

Thanks guys, I really do appreciate it.