Solved CPU upgrade on old computer

[townsbg]

I am looking to upgrade the processor on my secondary computer, really a server, to test running a virtual machine on Linux. It is a Presario SR5350F with a pentium e2160 processor that doesn't have virtualization. Strangely enough unlike what the specs say it isn't a core 2 duo processor; can anyone explain that? I'm going to have to upgrade and I'm thinking of a core 2 duo, quad core, or extreme because they do have virtualization (according to intel's spec pages). I'm concerned though that the PSU isn't powerful enough. According to the specs it is a 250 watts. Any thoughts on that? If necessary can I even find a new PSU compatible? This whole project has already been a nightmare just figuring out that I have a CPU compatibility issue. Thankfully I don't have to worry about any such issues when I switch to linux on my primary computer. Basically it's come down to wasting the money I've already spent if I don't pony upmore for a "new" processor. At least I'll get a performance boost. :huh: Also I'm looking to get the new one from eBay because amazon is too high. Any thoughts on that? It's been a long time since I've bought anything from eBay and I've never brought a processor from them.

 

[iko22]

Hello, townsbg

Strangely enough unlike what the specs say it isn't a core 2 duo processor; can anyone explain that?

- The E2160 is a dual core processor but it is not a core 2 duo. This means it does not get the newer implementation of the prediction pipeline.

I'm going to have to upgrade and I'm thinking of a core 2 duo, quad core, or extreme because they do have virtualization

- Check the BIOS supports the newer processors, not all LGA775 BIOSes could support the newer processors, even if the LGA socket is the same.

I'm concerned though that the PSU isn't powerful enough. According to the specs it is a 250 watts. Any thoughts on that?

- The current CPU drew 65W. You can find Core Duos with the same power rating. The core duo will be faster because of the optimised pipeline.
- if you do buy a new power supply, check the width of the ATX connector is the same. Could be 4-pin or 8-pin needed. They have changed the ATX standard over time. A better power supply would have a 4 pin + 4 pin design ATX plug, which fits any motherboard.

Also I'm looking to get the new one from eBay because amazon is too high. Any thoughts on that?

It pays to shop around. The last time I looked, eBay were selling bundles of core 2 duos for cheaper than the cost of one core 2 duo.

If you install a new processor, you may end up having to clean install windows. This is because the windows licence does not support motherboard or CPU changes - counts as a new computer.

 

[SIW2]

according tio the specs you linked, it supports
Core 2 Duo E4x00 with Dual Core technology (Conroe) up to E4400

Apparently it is about 15% faster.

They are pennies second hand. 25 pence at cex ( approx 30 cents US)

Not many around now, though.

E4400 £0.25

 

[iko22]

I just looked up E4400,
and it does not appear to support Virtualisation.

 

[townsbg]

Maybe the tech sheet is out of date. How do I find out for sure?

 

[iko22]

Visit ark.intel.com for the most reliable information.

 

[townsbg]

I know about that page. I'm wondering if the processor listed on the tech specs is the highest I can put or if it's the most recent when they posted it.

 

[SIW2]

You could try E8400 or even e8500 - very cheap now. Can't guarantee it will work, but they can be had for pennies so not much of a risk.

No risk at all if you use cex - take it back if not suitable.

CeX (UK): e8500

 

[iko22]

I know about that page. I'm wondering if the processor listed on the tech specs is the highest I can put or if it's the most recent when they posted it.

I see. According to the HP tech specs, this is the highest processor listed. I can't say I know HP that well, but should their spec be superseded, then that could be documented in the Support > Software and Drivers section. Try Support > Software and Drivers > BIOS.

I do know some LGA775 motherboards were spec'ed to run Core 2 Duo processors, and then that spec was superseded via a BIOS upgrade to allow the motherboard to run a Quad Core processor.

If your motherboard received a similar treatment, I'd look under Support > Software and Drivers > BIOS. Locate an Update BIOS file; look under Description and there is Fix and Enhancements. You can expand Fix and Enhancements to read the full details of that Update.

Otherwise, check the Previous Versions Tab, for similar BIOS updates; if such a file exists.

 

[iko22]

You could try E8400 or even e8500 - very cheap now. Can't guarantee it will work, but they can be had for pennies so not much of a risk.

No risk at all if you use cex - take it back if not suitable.

CeX (UK): e8500

We cannot, at the moment, see any evidence that this mobo will support a virtualisation CPU.

 

[SIW2]

Who cares?

Plug it and find out if it works.

Or buy several 4400, 8400, 8500 whatever, for the price of a beer and take back/ throw what doesn't work.

Could have been done hours ago.

 

[townsbg]

You could try E8400 or even e8500 - very cheap now. Can't guarantee it will work, but they can be had for pennies so not much of a risk.

No risk at all if you use cex - take it back if not suitable.

CeX (UK): e8500

I'm in the states.

 

[SIW2]

Yes, I know. There must be something similar there................................

 

[townsbg]

HP doesn't have any downloads anymore and I'm having trouble identifying the BIOS information. It isn't shown on the boot screen or in CMOS except for 5.16. MSInfo32 shows american megatrendes inc. 5.16 with a date of 10/1/07. I tried looking up that and couldn't find anything definitive. As far as I can tell I need more information that HP has hidden.

 

[SIW2]

Ther is some info in the posts here
Compaq SR5350F | AnandTech Forums: Technology, Hardware, Software, and Deals

YES your mobo has 2 memory slots and WILL support 2GB per slot.

YES you can put 2GB in 1 slot and 1GB in the other.

YES there is a limitation on the amount of physical memory that can be used, even with windows vista ultimate 64bit. The chipset has a 32bit DMA so you're stuck at 3,328MB, which is why i offered the info on doing a 2GB + 1GB memory combo. Of that 3,328MB, your OS will have access to 3,318MB due to Intel's gfx chip using the rest.

YES you can use PC2-6400 memory if you want. Still only runs at 667MHz though. It is still accepted by the mobo and works fine.

YES you can actually upgrade your CPU to the E4700. This is recommended over the E2xxx series because the E4xxx series has 2x the cache. I do no know if any of the chips higher than the E4700 would be supported, although i *think* they would be. Maybe not by BIOS, but still usable. Also, Asus acts as if they never made this mobo, so you cannot get any support through them. I've also tried AMI, who made the BIOS for this mobo, and have had no luck there either. I'm certain a more current BIOS version exists that would work for this mobo, just haven't had any luck finding it :/

 

[SIW2]

It seems this is the mobo:

HP and Compaq Desktop PCs - Motherboard Specifications, IPILP-LC (Lancaster8) | HP(R) Customer Support

Uh oh looks like you might need to stick to e4400
ASUS IPILP-LC Motherboard with Intel E8500 Processor | Tom's Hardware Forum


YouTube

drivers and bios 5.19
IPILPLC Drivers, BIOS Update

http://tinyurl.com/IPILP-LC-BIOS-UPDATE-V5-19

Fixes CMOS defaults reloading feature.
Updates CPU microcode.
Fixes SMART error message during POST.
Fixes BIOS setup screen overlap issues.
Fixes PATA/SATA device detection display issue with 'NONE' string displayed in BIOS main setup.
Improves HP PMD 500GB or 750GB boot time.
Improves audio add-in card detection.
Improves S3 resume time.

 

[townsbg]

The pentium d 960 supports virtualization. Intel(R) Pentium(R) D Processor 960 (4M Cache, 3.60 GHz, 800 MHz FSB) Product Specifications

 

[townsbg]

Any thoughts?

 

[townsbg]

I purchased a pentium d 960 however my computer wouldn't boot with it in it. I could feel that it wasn't sitting all the way down on one side. I put the link to the item I bought. Any ideas on that? Issue 2: I put the old back in and attempted to boot the computer before putting the heatsink back on. I ran it long enough to get windows to start booting before shutting it down. After putting on the heat sink it won't boot at all. I took the heatsink off and made sure that everything was in place including the power cords and ram. It still wouldn't turn on except once but I shut it down before it booted since I still didn't have the heatsink on. Now it's not booting at all. I'm getting a weird clicking from the PSU when I plug it in. Any ideas? I'm not sure where to go from here. Do you think that I damaged the computer while putting the heatsink on?

 

[SIW2]

Do you think that I damaged the computer

sounds like it. You could check for bent pins - videos on yochob about how to do that.

Maybe it is time to get a replacement - plenty of second hand business machines/components around.