New Processor

[vierasniper]

Hey guys, i need some help picking out a new processor. I also had some questions about being able to run it in my Mobo. Its an OEM MCP61PM-GM, I tried doign some research online but results were inconsistent. I was looking to upgrade to either a Athalon II x4 635 2.9 GHz or a Phenom II X2 555 3.2 GHz Black Edition. What would you guys recommend? Also which one has better performance, the quad core or the higher G Hz's? Its not the installation im worried about, its the performance or the incompatibility. im also open to suggestions. Any help is highly appreciated.

Thanks in Advanced.

 

[A Guy]

I'm hoping someone more familiar can confirm, but I don't think either are supported by your MB:

Processor Support

Supports AMD® AM2 Socket K8 Athlon™ 64 X2, Athlon™ 64, Athlon™ FX, and Sempron™ processors under 89 watt power consumption

Specs

It doesn't seem to support x4 at all, and the other CPU you list is AM3, and that doesn't appear to be supported either.

Is a new PC even in sight on your horizon? I know you want to upgrade, but you may be better served to save the $ for the next PC. If not, looks like you have limited CPU upgrade possibilities. A Guy

 

[vierasniper]

i saw that same page, and i don't think that's my mobo. that takes 4gb of ram, i have 6. and i thought that the AM3 sockets also worked with AM2 motherboards. i forgot were i read that though

 

[stormy13]

i thought that the AM3 sockets also worked with AM2 motherboards.

Yes and no. AM3 and AM2+ CPU's are backwards compatible with Am2/AM2+/AM3 sockets, but they have to be supported by the bios/chipset (more the bios). When installed on a board without proper support they do sometimes work but will not be detected properly, or sometimes (which would be in most cases) the computer just won't boot at all.

Another thing to remember with OEM motherboards like that Gateway (or Dell, HP, etc) is with how much they like to lock or hide a lot of the features/settings in the bios, they also like to lock the bios to a very limited range of supported CPU's whether the board is capable of supporting more or not. Reason for that is they would much rather sell you a new computer than allow for a simple CPU upgrade.

i don't think that's my mobo. that takes 4gb of ram, i have 6

That is probably more of a CYA thing than any real limitation, unlike it being a very real limitation for the CPU support. Makes it so that they don't have to support anyone that installs more than 4 GB and has problems; think 4 GB or more and 32 bit Windows for example.

 

[whs]

With an AM2 socket, your most powerful CPU choice is an AMD 5600+ (if I am not mistaken). If you mobo supports AM2+ and AM3 backward compatibility, then you have other choices.

 

[vierasniper]

Well this is my bios according to CPUID.

 

[stormy13]

Doesn't help much as the bios from ECS likely won't work on that board, that is if ECS even has the same board available. What gets used in pre-builts and what you can buy retail while they can be similar spec-wise, there is always something somewhere that will make them different.

 

[vierasniper]

dang, so my upgrade possibilities arnt looking good are they?

 

[mohammed yasser]

you must buy at least phenom II X 4 965 it is good cpu and i like it it run perfect

 

[mohammed yasser]

and you can buy gigabyte 785 ud3h

 

[vierasniper]

you must buy at least phenom II X 4 965 it is good cpu and i like it it run perfect

can i run it in my Mobo without issues?

 

[whs]

you must buy at least phenom II X 4 965 it is good cpu and i like it it run perfect

can i run it in my Mobo without issues?

I don't think so.

 

[mohammed yasser]

sorry i think you cant run in your mobo

 

[vierasniper]

is there one i CAN run? with 4 or 3 cores?

 

[whs]

Not with an AM2 socket. AMD 5600+ is the best you can expect. You are also limited by the 85 Watts. As the man said, buy a new box now or later.

 

[Solarstarshines]

in order to run quadcore technology has to be a AM2+ so it can run am2 and AM3 sockets mb 785 socket

 

[vierasniper]

ok, could i just switch out the mobo? for an AM3 or comparable intel one?

 

[Solarstarshines]

yeah you can switch out the mobo and go with am3 socket which in the long run will pay off i have am2+ board i am even able to run the hex core been thinking about it too

but in the end it is trully up to you what you want to do sooner or later you're going to have to buckle and just go for it

 

[vierasniper]

true, guess ill just do that thne. ill switch out the mobo. thank you all for the help, i highly appreciate it.

 

[thefabe]

You might run into a problem with the wiring for the case to the board, I know I tried to change out boards on a Dell but as usual they had the HD led, power,reset, and speaker wires setup especially for their board, may not be the case in your system but OEM manufacturers do all kinda of things just a little different just to get you to upgrade by buying a new one of their systems. So it might be something you want to check, see how the board connections on your case compare to the ones on the board you want to buy. Just go to the new boards site and check out the manual to make sure your case wiring will work. Just a thought. Fabe