Motherboard and Processor Upgrade Questions

Hello,

I want to upgrade my processor but need a new motherboard to do it. I'm thinking about an AMD 64, but don't know much about hardware. The details of my current system are listed at the end of this post.

I don't do gaming, but I process huge image, audio, and video files. I use Photoshop 7.0 VERY often and find that it can take far too long for a filter to process an effect on large images. Anything over 25mb's is a nightmare. If I'm listening to a playlist from my local hard drive at the same time, the music either comes to a complete stop or constantly cuts in and out until the filter finishes processing the image. When I use Nero to transcode and burn DVD Video files it can take over two hours. A 1gig Audio file exported from Cakewalk to a .wav file can take over 10 minutes. The list of issues goes on and on. My system is around 4 years old and it's time to upgrade.

Since I don't do gaming I know that cuts down the processor requirements and cost considerably.


Two Questions:

1) What would be the fastest and most able to multitask AMD Chipset/Motherboard that I can install using the existing Drives, Cables, Video Card, Audio Card, other PCI Cards, and other Hardware etc.?

2) Once a new motherboard and processor are installed, will I lose all the data on my hard drives?


I realize the questions are simple, but the answers are complex, especially for someone like me, that isn't Hardware Saavy. I've tried to provide as much data about my system as possible and would appreciate someone's help. Possibly a link to information that would help me (that I can understand). I don't know anything about sockets, ides, sdram, stepping, bus speed, cycle time, via, ata, all the different memory types and caches, or how to configure bios, etc...

For you hardware specialists, I guess this would be like going back to Basic Hardware 101. I know that the postings and replys here are free, but this might warrant compensation. I'm not opposed to that.

Many Thanks,

Rick Calic





--------------------------------------------------------------------------

CPU-Z Report

CPU(s)
Number of CPUs 1

Name AMD Athlon
Code Name Thunderbird
Specification AMD Athlon(tm) processor
Family / Model / Stepping 6 4 4
Extended Family / Model 7 4
Package Socket A
Core Stepping A9
Technology 0.18 µ
Supported Instructions Sets MMX, Extended MMX, 3DNow!, Extended 3DNow!
CPU Clock Speed 1401.4 MHz
Clock multiplier x 10.5
Front Side Bus Frequency 133.5 MHz
Bus Speed 266.9 MHz
L1 Data Cache 64 KBytes, 2-way set associative, 64 Bytes line size
L1 Instruction Cache 64 KBytes, 2-way set associative, 64 Bytes line size
L2 Cache 256 KBytes, 16-way set associative, 64 Bytes line size
L2 Speed 1401.4 MHz (Full)
L2 Location On Chip
L2 Data Prefetch Logic no
L2 Bus Width 64 bits



Mainboard and chipset
Motherboard manufacturer ABIT <>
Motherboard model 761-686B(KG7), Rev:1.0
BIOS vendor Award Software International, Inc.
BIOS revision 6.00 PG
BIOS release date 03/06/2003
Chipset AMD AMD-761 rev. A3
Southbridge VIA VT82C686 rev. 40
Sensor chip VIA 686A/B




Memory
DRAM Type DDR-SDRAM
DRAM Size 1024 MBytes
DRAM Frequency 133.5 MHz
FSBRAM 1:1
CAS# Latency 2.5 clocks
RAS# to CAS# 3 clocks
RAS# Precharge 3 clocks
Cycle Time (TRAS) 6 clocks
Bank Cycle Time (TRC) 9 clocks
DRAM Idle Timer 8 clocks
# of memory modules 2
Module 0 Xerox DDR-SDRAM PC2100 - 512 MBytes
Module 1 Infineon DDR-SDRAM PC2300 - 512 MBytes



Software
Windows version Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional Service Pack 4 (Build 2195)
DirectX version 9.0c

___________________________________________________________


Belarc Computer Profile Summary
Computer Name: (in WORKGROUP)
Profile Date: Friday, June 24, 2005 10:34:19 PM
Advisor Version: 7.0p
Windows Logon: XXXXXXXXXXX



Operating System System Model
Windows 2000 Professional Service Pack 4 (build 2195) Enclosure Type: Desktop
Processor a Main Circuit Board b
1.40 gigahertz AMD Athlon
128 kilobyte primary memory cache
256 kilobyte secondary memory cache Board: ABIT <> 761-686B(KG7) Rev:1.0
Serial Number:
Bus Clock: 133 megahertz
BIOS: Award Software International, Inc. 6.00 PG 03/06/2003
Drives Memory Modules c,d
491.76 Gigabytes Usable Hard Drive Capacity
289.79 Gigabytes Hard Drive Free Space

AXV CD/DVD-ROM SCSI CdRom Device [CD-ROM drive]
SONY DVD RW DRU-710A [CD-ROM drive]
TDK CDRW241040X [CD-ROM drive]

3ware 7500-8:0 Drv 3 SCSI Disk Device (491.76 GB) -- drive 0 1024 Megabytes

Installed Memory

Slot 'BANK_0' is Empty
Slot 'BANK_1' is Empty
Slot 'BANK_2' has 512 MB
Local Drive Volumes

c: (NTFS on drive 0) 104.86 GB 95.10 GB free
d: (NTFS on drive 0) 386.90 GB 194.69 GB free

Network Drives
None detected
Users (mouse over user name for details) Printers
local user accounts last logon
Rick Calic
6/24/2005 8:47:22 PM (admin)
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ASPNET
never
Guest
never


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Adobe Systems, Inc. - Adobe Photoshop 7.0 XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Ahead - Nero Fast CD-Burning Plug-in XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Belarc - Advisor 732c1abf
Cakewalk Music Software - Music Creator Pro24 XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
H+BEDV - AVWIN/NT XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Microsoft - Internet Explorer XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Microsoft - MediaPlayer XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
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ABF Outlook Backup Version 2.3 *
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wow man, thats a pretty long list of ...stuff. Anyway, if your considering getting an amd mobo, id suggest you go with pci-express, because its the ...future...cheesy, i know. I especially love my motherboard (Asus A8V-E deluxe), because when something is connected wrong...the motherboard beeps and actually says what the problem is..like "Your ram is imporperly configured" or something like that...really helpful. For processors, probably go with amd64 3500+ (after that the jumps in prices get exponential on you). i have a 3200+, but it serves me just fine for even gaming. And im pretty sure there is absolutely no way that your harddrives will be erased just if u change the mobo and processor. Dont forget to get proper cooling...like extra fans and such. Harddrives you can plug into any computer and just run them...hope this helps at least a little.

 

That's not exactly true. If the MB drivers on the drive are not the same as what the new MB requires, it could very well not recognize them. I would say to back up everything before starting the new build. JMO

P.S.

When posting specs? All that's needed is the main part descriptions. Something like what you see in my sig. You can get all that from the same program you used (Belarc) or EVEREST Home Edition 2.01.

 

fine, my bad...but what you can do is get a small hd ..and make that your master, and then slave the older one...that way it shouldnt have a problem...back up the files anyway

 

I can create a Ghost Image of the entire 5-Drive Raid Array on an external 250Gig Hd that would be an exact copy of everything I have on the drives (inc the OS), but it seems you've answered my question about saving data. As I understand it, when replacing the Motherboard and Chipset, I SHOULD install a clean OS and then re-install all my saved programs and data, correct?

If this is the case, my question now becomes academic regarding saving data and I would only need to focus on a Motherboard and Chipset that will be compatible with my Case, Drives, PCI Slots, and Ram, etc. yes?

I see alot of information about motherboards regarding sockets, but don't know how that applies when replacing both a Motherboard & Chipset at the same time (if it does at all). Mine is a "Socket A", does that mean I must use a "Socket A" Motherboard/Chipset replacement?

Are the PCI slots standardized so I can use all my Cards on any new Motherboard?

Are the Ribbon Cables standardized so I can use my existing ones on any new Motherboard?

This would be my first Motherboard/Chipset upgrade. My Friend built the rig, but he's not available right now. I can read and follow instructions, though... (as if that would help).

Would it be beneficial/prudent for me to purchase a Motherboard/Chipset and bring the rig to a commercial computer store for them to make everything functional (with the upgraded stuff) so all I have to do is deal with Software and install the OS and Programs?

Whether someone else installs it or I do it myself, considering the Hardware I already have, without regard for data retrieval, what Motherboard/Chipset would SIGNIFICANTLY improve my performance for around $500.00??

I've looked at the Asus and AMD 3500 you mentioned, but didn't know they were compatible with each other - I guess they are. Are they compatible with all my other Hardware as well?

Thanks again,

 

all pci are compatible as far as i know..(they're different from pci express), the cables should be the same...my a8v-e deluxe is 160 bucks, and the processor is like ...prolly twice that...dont know the price on that thing...but the point is...if your not very confident with installing it, you should def..(cant believe im actually telling someone to pay a STORE for doing computer stuff)...yea...bring in your rig and mobo w/ chipset...and have them do it...as long as its all for under 80 bucks. at that point it becomes easier to do it yourself. the motherboard should come with a manual and that has somewhat detailed instructions on installation. There are always tutorials on the internet, just google it...and yea...you should reinstall the the drivers for everything and reinstall the os..however, i dont think youll need to. Ive changed mobos and everything b4, and using the same hd, i was able to have it funxn just fine.

also, if i understand correctly, you have 512 ram? then you mite wanna get another stick of 512 and run it in dual channel...if your not running games, you should do just fine with the mobo i have and an athlon 3500 as well as...i havea via8237 chipset i believe...pretty good one.

 

a64 3200 is about 190$

 

so 3500+ is an extra 150 or so bucks...3200 will do you fine

 

If you are an OCer you should choose a64 3000+ is the best you will not lose over 80$ when you get high score it is nearly the same 3200+@ and under 3500+@ aliitle only. if you are lucky You can get a64 3000+ at good code.

 

Thanks much everyone.

I can't say for sure when I will be able to make the upgrade, but if this post is still here, I'll post back.

Thanks again,

Rick

 

P.S.

I will probably put together a "wish list" and post it for your review before I buy anything.