Hi Guys, I'm looking to upgrade the system below with a bit more ram and possibly the dual core version of the processor I've got. Will the two products highlighted just plug and play so to speak or will I have to play with the BIOS etc. Can I just swap the processor like for like and will this add much to the speed of the thing? The pc is mainly used for internet, some video encoding, only gaming is footy manager so not too bothered about graphics capabilities just after a little more speed as it tends to get a little bogged down with multi-tasking these days. Heres the current spec: Mainboard : Gigabyte M55S-S3 Chipset : nVidia nForce 550 Processor : AMD Athlon 64 3500+ @ 2200 MHz Physical Memory : 1024 MB (2 x 512 DDR2-SDRAM ) Video Card : NVIDIA GeForce 7600 GT Hard Disk : ST3250620AS (250 GB) DVD-Rom Drive : PIONEER DVD-RW DVR-111D DVD-Rom Drive : YO1655D KQP850U SCSI CdRom Device Monitor Type : SONY SDM-HS75 - 17 inches Operating System : Microsoft Windows XP Professional 5.01.2600 Service Pack 3 DirectX : Version 9.0c (March 2009) And heres what I was hoping to put in AMD Athlon 64 X2 4600+ 2.4 GHz AM2 Dual Core Processor on eBay (end time 13-Feb-10 16:41:47 GMT) Computer memory upgrades for Giga-Byte GA-M55S-S3 (rev. 2.0) Motherboard from Crucial.com So what I need to know is, is it worth doing and is it a simple in and out job? Thanks in advance people Dom
Links dissapeared. The upgrades I was going for was 2gb of crucial Feature: DDR2 PC2-6400 RAM and a used AMD Athlon 64 X2 4600+ 2.4GHz Dual Core. Need to know how this will work compatability wise and if the current PSU will be fine to power it. Although I can't find any details of the PSU on PC Wizard?
according to the specs it can handle a x2 4600 quite easily. http://www.gigabyte-usa.com/Support/Motherboard/CPUSupport_Model.aspx?ProductID=2384#anchor_os for windows xp, you don't really need more RAM than 1gb. I can't tell the difference in performance from 1gb and 2gb in my system and I do video encoding sometimes. You will definitely notice an increase in performance with a dual core.
PSUs don't send any information to the PC on their manufacturer or specification, but all you need do is glance inside the PC at the label on the PSU to tell its brand and power rating. It's quite important you check this as while your PC does not draw much power, if the unit is low quality (and if it's as old as the rest of the parts, it's also getting on a bit), adding an extra power drain may push it over the edge. 2GB of RAM for XP is recommended only if you use lots of programs, large programs, or mainstream games. With basic usage and web browsing you will be fine with 1GB. Upgrading to a dual core CPU is, however, a substantial upgrade for performance.
Ok, the PSU is an Antec NeoHE430 430 watt, 100-240v. Will this be able to handle to aforementioned upgrade without any fuss? So the RAM upgrade isn't really worth it then? Might leave that until I get hold of a copy of Windows 7 then. Thanks for looking up the compatibility specs for me, any idea what the quickest processor I could pick up would be that would work with that pSU and mobo? Thanks again Dom
Yeah you should be fine with that PSU. I would strongly recommend more RAM when you upgrade to Win7, but you don't really need it until then. If you update the BIOS, that board can support an X2 7750+.
Thanks Sam, I'll be treating myself to a new processor on payday then! Do I update the BIOS before I put the new processor in (like now) or wait until it's in?
And so it continues... I guess this is the problem when trying to upgrade outdated hardware but is it possible to buy this chip (amd X2 7750+) new or is it a case of scouring ebay etc waiting for a 2nd hand one? Obviously I want to get the best band possible for my buch but is 2nd hand a good idea with processors or am I better going with a slower but new (i assume clearance item) as scan have AMD Athlon 64 X2 5000+ in stock. Thanks all, your expertise is very much appreciated!
