Upgrading CPU! can my mobo take it?!

[fields999]

Hi,

Basically at the moment i have a problem, my pc in general runs pretty well but certain applications like msn, winamp, steam and that kind of thing keep freezing and taking a while to respond.

The only reason i can really see for this is that my cpu is underperforming, since my hard drive is only 30% full, my gfx card performs well and i have 8gb of ram. After doing some tests i found my gfx card load is usually around 10% whereas my cpu load is normally around 60%.

So im thinking about upgrading it but not sure what the max cpu my mobo can take, if anyone can help that would be great. I have this link to show what my cpu upgrades it can take but there not very specific.

I want to upgrade to something like an amd phenom II x4 (anything above 3ghz) preferably.

Is this possible?

Links:
My mobo spec: Motherboard Specifications, M2N78-LA (Violet) HP Pavilion a6708uk Desktop PC - HP Customer Care (United States - English)

 

[PooMan UK]

Have a looky here pal

HP Pavilion a6708uk Desktop PC Product Specifications HP Pavilion a6708uk Desktop PC - HP Customer Care (United States - English)

Click on the Processor upgrade information link

 

[fields999]

hi,

i saw that part but for the quad core it just shows:

AMD Phenom Quad-Core 9xxx series (AM2+) up to 9850 (Agena)

does that mean i can upgrade to an amd phenom II x4? or cant i upgrade to the phenom II?

thanks

 

[PooMan UK]

Nope I don't think you can. Your board says it supports up to a phenom X4 9850

AMD Phenom

Whilst the phenom II x4 is

AMD Phenom II

Anyways the phenom II is socket AM3 but your borad is socket am2+

 

[fields999]

well looks like im off to the motherboard shop as well then!

thanks for the help i just wanted to make sure i wasnt going to buy a mobo when my old board could support a nice cpu but i guess not hehe

 

[PooMan UK]

No probs pal, but before you run off to the PC store do you really need to get anything bigger than the 9850. This is a quad core cpu that is more than powerfull enough to run Steam games, MSN and winamp.
I don't think this is where your bottleneck is. I reckon your better off spending your hard earned cash on a bigger screen card.
You have a ATI Radeon 4650 which although has allot of ram, isn't the most powerful when it comes to games. Maybe look at the 5770 which is good value for money and more than capable of running most of the latest games.

 

[fields999]

is the 9850 much of an upgrade from mine though? its just 2.5ghz, and im not sure about the graphics card, mine never seems to have a high load even when i log the load data when im playing a game.

 

[PooMan UK]

Actually no the 9850 isn't a massive jump but it is better. Soz I just realised you have the x3 CPU.
But watching the increased load on your GPU isn't the best indication of how a game reacts to a graphics card. It's more a case of what the graphics card is capable of doing.
Some graphics cards with only 512mb ram can out perform others with 1gb. There are so many factors that make some perform better than others clock speeds, cooling, overclocking, voltages, architecture and many other features make some cards better than others.
The 4650 is sometimes referred to as a budget gaming card, whilst the 5770 is for the more hard core gamer (whilst still not breaking the bank with some of the really high end cards prices)

 

[DirtyElf]

something else to think about: if you're going to buy a new motherboard, you will probably need a new case as well.. most 'store' bought computers have non standard cases and a new motherboard is not always going to fit... i also think its your gfx card that needs upgrading, the 5770 is a good choice.. if you can afford it look into the 58XX series... even a 5830 would be good

 

[Hopalong X]

Will he need a bigger PSU with that 5700 or 5800 card?

 

[DirtyElf]

forgot about that, probably... didnt look at the specs of his computer

edit: 300W psu, would need to upgrade for sure.

you should think about saving up and building a moderate gaming rig.

 

[LiquidSnak]

600w PSU should be ok with his specs, upgrading to a better GPU, even a better motherboard and processor should be ok.

 

[Hopalong X]

FYI
No sale just some info if you decided to go this route.

I speced out a PSU yesterday for a person with a Compaq wanting to use a 5750.
Need 308W minimum draw. So a 400-500W PSU.
Plus you need an in one end out the other on HP/Compaq's.
Not too many of those in a name brand anymore.
What I found at Newegg yesterday.

430W $44 Has one 6pin for the graphics card.
Newegg.com - Thermaltake TR2 W0070RUC 430W ATX12V V2.2 Intel Core i7 Compliant Dual 80mm Fans Full Cable Sleevings Power Supply

430W $60 Has one 6 pin for graphics card.
Newegg.com - Antec EarthWatts Green EA-430D Green 430W Continuous power ATX12V v2.3 / EPS 12V 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power Supply


$75 500W 2 12v rails and 2 6pin plugs not a biggy since you won't SLI but decent set up. I'd order it today if I needed it for mine or my parents PC.
Check out the Feedback tab. 19- 5 stars and 1- four star.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817371035

This gives you a start point to find somehting in the UK if needed.

 

[Dave76]

If you get a new CPU and motherboard with the AMD3 socket, i think they take DDR3 RAM, so you'll have to replace that also.

New case and you just about bought a new computer.


The quad core for your current motherboard and a 5770 would be a good improvement.

 

[DirtyElf]

basically just build a new computer... probably better off saving for a year than trying to piece this old one together...

you'd likely spend more money upgrading the old one and be left with a less powerful machine in the end