Upgrading CPU

Hello, I am Tim and in search of advice on what processor to buy. I am not looking for advice on how to install the processor, but I am worried on whether I will buy the right processor with the right socket etc that will fit my motherboard.

Here is information of my motherboard and current processor (to get this information I used: System Information for Windows):

Motherboard:

Manufacturer: Dell Inc.
Version: A02
CPU: AMD Athlon™ Processor LE-1660
CPU Socket: Socket AM2 (940)

CPU:

CPU #1: AMD Athlon 64 LE-1660
CPU Name: AMD Athlon™ Processor LE-1660
Number of Bits: 64
Platform Name: Socket AM2 (940)
Number of Cores: 1


I was looking at this: http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CP-195-AM

and thought that would be ideal for my computer, but I do not want to buy it just incase it won't fit/run on my computer. Do I need to find out my motherboard model first before I know whether this will fit it - and if so, how do I do this please?
If I can get a better CPU then that, please suggest what I could have.

- Thanks in advance!

 

All OEM motherboards can be fussy on what CPU they will and will not accept.

Your best bet is to contact Dell themselves and ask what CPU's are compatible with your motherboard.

The original CPU is a single core, and the one you selected was a dual, so there is a risk that the MB won't accept it.

If Dell come back and say, you can use any AM2 CPU, then have a look at this one, if your budget permits.

 

Alright, thanks. I looked at that one, but I decided that I would most likely have to upgrade my PSU as well and do not really want to be spending that much. But I will still consider it.

Do you think that it will say in my motherboard manual what CPU's it can support?

 

Well, depending on the use you will make of that dual CPU, you might have to switch to a better heatsink as I can't see Dell putting a HS/F in there that can handle a dual core. When I upgraded to a dual on my ASUS motherboard, I reused my old stock AMD HS/F and it did fine as long as I didn't push both cores to %100.

As burrell said, find your machine at Dell's site and see what's offered, I think a serial number is enough. Also, like burrell, I don't get a good feeling about this either.

I used to transcode videos on my single cored Venice 3000+ and that basically killed the machine for any other use until the transcoding finished, whereas on a not so much faster X2 3800+, I didn't even know the conversion was going on! It was like night and day! My best upgrade ever!

I'll stop rambling now and good luck on the upgrade.

 

Thanks for your post. Could you possibly recommend a heatsink that is suitable as I do not really have a clue what type to look for. :-o I am currently away from my PC which I want to upgrade, however, I do have my service tag but I cannot seem to find anywhere on the Dell Site which I can enter that into so that it tells me details on my mobo model.

Do you recommend that instead of a 3GHz duel, should I go down to 2.5GHz just to stay safe? Or do you think that if I do get a decent Heatsink, it should not make a difference?

- Thanks in advance.

 

What is the model of your DELL? We may be able to get some motherboard info if you'd tell us what you've got.

Sam

 

Sorry, first things first. You have to see what's available from Dell for that board. If Dell doesn't offer a dual for your machine then you can forget about it or at least join the Dell forums for more info from other members. I can't recommend anything until you find out if you can upgrade, besides there's things like chipset driver upgrades along with BIOS upgrade if available. Talk to Dell.

 

Sorry, I have forgot to mention this. I have an Inspiron 546, if you need the service tag, let me know please.

I personally do not like talking to Dell at all, so I am trying to hold that option back until last. I am currently looking on the Dell Site to try and find upgrades for it, and I am quite sure that it should be able to run a duel core processor as I can remember when ordering it, I had the option to upgrade to Duel Core, but my budget did not allow it then.

 

OK, since you have the service tag then go here. Found it by accident. BTW, apparently you can go up to an X4! Let us know what options you have. This is looking good.

 

Sorry, I feel very embarressed, but I do not really know what I am looking for once I have entered my service tag. There are four options:

Drivers & Downloads
Parts & Upgrades
Manuals
System Configuration Information

If I go onto 'Parts & Upgrades', it redirects me to the dell US store and I have to enter my service tag again, but when I do it says that it 'Cannot be found', I think this is due to the fact that it is the US store. And I cannot find the same page on the UK dell.

 

OK, find the Dell UK store then, they'll have the info. I never did notice where you're from.

 

Looking for it now but struggling to find it. The US dell site is so much more user-friendly where as on the UK one, everything is all laid-out wierdly and its hard to get to the right place.

There is no where on the UK Dell site which will let me input the service tag into the dell store so I can see potential upgrades (well there is, but that only shows me storage drives, and then other accessories).

This is the best I seem to be able to get to: http://accessories.euro.dell.com/sn...n&s=dhs&cs=ukdhs1&mfgpid=1889781&chassisid=-1

 

Sorry, my post keeps not showing up and now I have to re-write it.


I cannot seem to find that page on the UK Dell site. There is no where for me to enter my service tag in the uk store, if I managed to get my motherboard model would we be able to find out what this processor it can support?

 

Well, last shot for me Tim, off for supper. http://www.euro.dell.com/content/to.../emea/dsc?c=uk&cs=RC1050265&l=en&s=pad&~tab=3

 

Alright then, thank you very much for your help. I will wait till I get back home on Monday to install that on my PC - then I will post here again with the information I have managed to retrieve.

Once again, thanks for your help, and enjoy your supper!

 

After looking here:

http://www1.euro.dell.com/ae/en/hom...px?refid=desktop-inspiron-546&cs=aedhs1&s=dhs

On the 'Tech Specs' tab, it shows that you can choose the computer to come with one of these four processors:

AMD SempronTM
AMD AthlonTM X2 Dual Core
AMD PhenomTM X3
AMD PhenomTM X4

Surely that suggests that my Inspiron 546 will also be able to run these processors, therefore, do you think that this would run:

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CP-227-AM&groupid=701&catid=6&subcat=803

I think I may need a bigger PSU though. What do you think?
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CP-227-AM&groupid=701&catid=6&subcat=803

 

Keep going with Auggie! I too will help you find a compatible CPU, from a trusted UK site.

Yes, it looks like you should be able to get a quad! which would be a HUGE upgrade, but yes as said before, you may have to get a PSU upgrade, which may be out of your limits.

 

Alright thanks, do you by any chance know why certain posts of mine have to be moderated? Is it posts with links in?

I have been looking at the: AMD Phenom X4 Quad Core 9850, it has 125W, so I think I will definitely be looking for a PSU upgrade, however this is something I have even less clue about the CPU's, do they require a certain socket or something? I have enough money for a new power supply I think as I don't think I'll be spending more then £90 ($120?) on the CPU and then perhaps another £30-45 on a PSU.

I am also unsure on whether I will need a new heatsink for the CPU as I have no clue about these either.

Would it help it I downloaded the Everlast Tool on MG and posted up some specs about my motherboard etc? If so, I can do this asap tomorrow sometime.

 

about spending £35-40 on a PSU, thats a bad idea, a very bad one!

Is the current psu the one that came with the PC? I would rather get a less power hungry Dual Core.

The stock HSF should suffice, unless you plan on some overclocking.

Edit: acutally looking into it, I found this rather cheap at OcUK, it is good brand, with a decent power output, and should support a medium spec system, as long as you don't want a high end GPU anytime soon, we shoud be OK. Go for the Quad core! It's a beast!

 

I guess I could push my budget up a bit. Yes, the PSU at the moment is just the one that came with it, I think it is a 300W one (I will find out tomorrow). One thing I am still concerned about is after buying all this, do you think everything should be able to fit/work okay? Are there any details I need to provide you with in order for you to know?

- Thanks.

 

Unofortunatly i cannot guarantee it will work.

But i would bet on it! :-D

I think it would be a safe bet to get the Quad and the PSU i linked to. (Your link is the wrong one:confused)

 

I will trust you! But first look around a little bit more, and see other opinions!

So currently this is what you think I should go for?:

AMD Phenom X4 Quad Core 9850 2.50GHz Black Edition (Socket AM2) - OEM [HD985ZXAJ4BGH] - £88.99 @ OCers

&

OCZ StealthXStream 500w Silent Power Supply [OCZ500SXS-UK] - £43.99 @ OCers

(Sorry for not posting links - as my posts have to be moderated if I post links I think).

Edit: Could putting in a 500w have a risk of frying the motherboard?

 

Well, i could do, but that would be a waste of time! The quad we got now is a great CPU! That PSU is a good quality one that should last a long time! (BTW it has a 3 year warranty!)

 

Oh, sorry, I meant I will look around for other opinions. I apologise, I didn't mean that to sound so demanding of you! :-D

But if you were in my situation, is that what you would order?

 

Absolutaly!

Dell say a Quad Phenom first Gen. will work, so the 9850 is the best bet for a noticible uprade!

I suppose you could go for a Dual Core, but if i was you, i would regret it after a while and wish i got the quad!

 

Then, I think that is what I shall do! Now I've just got to watch a load of video's on the installation of it and I should be ready.

Do I need to update the bios before fitting the processor?

 

The best way IMO there are some real good ones on the tube

Possibly, the best way is to try and see.

Post on here if you need help doing so.

BTW dont know if you have used them before, but OcUK have excellent delivery! You won't be dissapointed!

 

Nope, I haven't, but I have heard only good feedback about them! One last question, should I be worried about the power supply being able to fit into my case? - As that one looks quite large.

 

Ermmm

Yet again, without seeing the thing i cant be sure! Sorry

It is an ATX form factor PSU which is the standard these days, so i'm 95% sure it will fit.

 

Okay, well thank you very very much for your help. I appreciate it a lot and I will let you know how everything goes and most likely be asking you a few other questions later if you're up for it!

Anyway, I am going to go now, so good night.

 

Absoluataly!

Oh, me too, i'm shattered!

 

I've noticed you've gone now, but I am going to make this my last post tonight now as I got sidetracked when I was going before.

On the power supply you suggested I should use, it says:
- 150 x 140 x 86mm 1 x 20+4Pin ATX
- 1 x 4-pin CPU
- 1 x PCI-E 6+2 pin
- 4 x 4-pin Molex peripheral
- 1 x 4-pin floppy
- 2 x S-ATA

However, I have just read here this:

[Notice the bold]

And the OCZ StealthXStream 500w has only 2 x S-ATA. I am not sure that S-ATA and SATA are the same thing, so I decided to ask you. I am going to do some more research on whether or not the Inspiron 546 does require 4 x SATA connecters.

 

You will only need 4 Sata connections if you have more than 4 DVD and hdd's combined.

Having 4 sata connectors on the psu will not make it fit any better.

After Reading what you posted, I am prepared to say I am 98% sure it will fit.

And the two SATA variations you posted about are just that, they are the same thing.

 

Okay, thankyou. Does a card reader also require a SATA connection as I have a 19 in 1 card reader in where the floppy drive would go? Also, I will most likely buy that PSU, but if I ever wanted to put in a blu-ray drive or another hdd, would I need to buy a new PSU?

 

No, the card reader connects into the Motherboard.

About the Blu-Ray ;

Not unless you have more than 4 Hard drives and DVD/D drives combined.
A Blu-Ray drive still uses a Sata power connection.

The psu you are looking at has 2 lots of 2 connectors meaning that you could have 2 hard drives and 2 DVD/CD/Blu-Ray drives. But with the use of power extenders and converters, you could have more than 2 of each.

It's a bit complicated, but basicly it will work witht he hardware you have.

 

Any ATX PSU will fit as the length and width are all the same with the depth getting longer as power grows. You will have plenty of connectors and adapters, usually overkill in my situation. One thing to watch out for is if your drives have both a molex and a SATA power connector, one or the other only, never both!

So, in a single night you've gone from a single to a quad! Good stuff!:cool Oh, the BIOS thing you mentioned, find out what your rev. is and see if there are any upgrades with the changelog stating that it is needed to upgrade the CPU. Follow the instructions explicitly! Good luck and have fun!

 

Okay, thanks, hopefully I will be able to manage! I will most likely be ordering that tonight or tomorrow once I have got home.

Oh, alright, thanks! That is very helpful and has relaxed me as to whether it will fit. If I do happen to plug the wrong cables into the wrong places, could that fry everything?

I have made a lot of progress and have far better knowledge about this now thanks to you and burrell! After typing in my service tag on the Dell website, it says that there is a BIOS upgrade available which I will download when I get home (currently on a 5 hour train journey so I can look at more information :cool). Also, please could you tell me what the 'rev.' is (sorry!) as I do not know. :confused

Also, would it be safer for me to buy a new CPU cooler? - As they are only £15 and it is better to be safe than sorry!

 

You cant put anything in the wrong, place, only the right thing will fit in the right place.

a rev. is a BIOS version, like 1.0, 1.1. Basicly, have a look and see if there are any updates that say they will help support Quad CPU's.

TBH, a £15 cooler wont do much better than a stock, but yes it would be a good idea! Don't forget the thermal paste!

 

Oh, alright then.

I think I'll wait to get a cooler then. If I fit the CPU first with the stock one, then I will check the temperature of it, and if it is to high I will buy a new cooler.

For fitting the stock heatsink to my new CPU, I won't need thermal paste, will I?

 

Hang on there, if you are going to reuse your present cooler to cool a quad, you will be very sad at the results. Someone had specced out an OEM CPU above which means no cooler included, better to get a retail box of the CPU which includes a stock cooler which I have found totally adequate unless one is going to overclock the CPU, meaning pushing it beyond it's design. Check out this page for options.

As to TIM(thermal paste) you'll be just fine using the supplied pre-pasted HS/F as you'll also be changing out your CPU. I don't think it's necessary to remove the pre-applied paste but I'm a lazy bugger. If you want to clean it off, use %90 isopropyl alcohol and a lint free cloth, making sure that you can almost see your reflection and then put a grain of rice sized TIM on the HS/F. Some folks say to smear it with a plastic card and others say leave it be. I'm a smearer.

 

Good point,i should've seen that! So yes, you will need an aftermarket cooler, or get a retail version.

 

Thanks. Do you have any idea as to where I can get the retail version of it? If I buy the retail version, I will not have to play around with thermal paste?

 

Look on the same site as the OEM, it's got to be there. Yup, retail version has the pre-applied paste. Purists will be :banghead at my suggestion but so be it. :-D BTW, don't touch the HS/f plate bottom with your fingers, that leaves grease on there.

Oh, if you can't find the retail on the site then do go ahead and get a separate HS/F. $15 ain't too pricey for a HS/F and should work just fine, as long as it's made for the CPU. Still, I'd double the funds for it.

 

I can't find the retail version anywhere. Could you possibly help me choose a ht/f? One for minimal price but decent preferably, I would do it myself but I do not have a clue what is decent and what isn't.

 

I am thinking about getting the OCZ Vendetta 2, I have read that it will work well with the 9850. I am looking for one around £25 ($40).

I have heard that it is quite big though, so I am going to open my case up to check soon. Please post what you think would be better.

- Thanks.

 

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835207006

This one looks good enough, as long as you dont OC you will be fine.

Oh, and you'll need this too.

 

Thanks for that suggestion, however I do not seem to be able to find that on a UK site anywhere. =/

 

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=HS-029-CM&groupid=701&catid=57&subcat=1395

This looks ok too.

This will be absolutely fine for normal usage, with no OC.

 

Alright, I'll get that one then. And then I need thermal paste as well?

After opening up my case, I had a little play around with fitting and re-fitting my fan, processor and PSU and it all seems fairly straight forward so hopefully the installation process should go smoothly.

I have all this added to my basket on OC'ers:

AMD Phenom X4 Quad Core 9850 2.50GHz Black Edition (Socket AM2) - OEM
OCZ StealthXStream 500w Silent Power Supply
Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus (Socket AM2/AM2+/AM3/775/1156/1366)
Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound (3.5g)

Is that everything I need?

 

Looks OK to me but double check the power connector that goes on the motherboard itself, I don't mean the 20/4 pin but another one near the CPU which could be between 4 to 8 pins and the OCZ only has one 4-pin CPU connector. Can you link to a manual of your motherboard to double check? You'll probably be fine but I never take anything for granted.