Some simple questions from a simple mind!

D

Deluded

New Member
Hi there, my first post and i just wanted to ask some stupid sounding questions as i venture into the upgrading world.

My basic plan is to upgrade my graphics card, processor and PSU if needed, so that i can get a great gaming experience on first person shooters and other online games. I've been looking at the Zotac GeForce GTS 450 as a cheap but reasonable upgrade from my current intergrated card, a GeForce 9100, but am having trouble finding out what processor i can actually upgrade to. The computer I'm using is an average desktop Compaq Presario SR5702UK, and I've tried to find all the information i can on it to help you guys help me!

Firstly, I've got the motherboard specs with most of the information:
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/...&cc=us&site=null&key=null&product=3896004#N66

RAM: DDR2 2GB
BIOS: American Megatrends Inc. version 5.04, 12/5/2008
Graphics: NVIDIA
Processor: AMD Sempron Dual Core 2300
Chipset: NVIDIA nForce 720a
Running Windows Vista 32-bit

If any more info is needed please tell me and I'll try to have a look.

So, I'm running an AMD Sempron dual core 2300, and would like to upgrade it without having to get a new motherboard, or have to do too much tinkering on my first attempt at upgrades.
My question here is, what can i actually upgrade to? it seems that the motherboard specs say i have socket AM3, but this card runs on an AM2, and I'm getting really confused about switching in and out of AM2, AM2+ and AM3. So a list of great AMD processor upgrades that i could just stick in there would be life saving!

Just to finish, my ideal three purchases would be:
Zotac GeForce GTS 450 graphics card
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Zotac-GeFor...STW4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1289918734&sr=8-1

AMD Athlon II X2 250
http://www.amazon.co.uk/AMD-Athlon-...QC6K/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1290175528&sr=8-2

or
AMD Athlon II X4 630
http://www.amazon.co.uk/AMD-Athlon-...1_1?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1290185655&sr=1-1
(which of these two would be more suitable? Providing they both are applicable.)

and
Corsair CMPSU-400CXUK 400W
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Corsair-CMP...DV0Q/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1290171102&sr=8-2

If these three would all fit in together, it would be amazing, but if not, please give your best suggestions!

All your help is much appreciated, and sorry for such a long winded first post! :)

Many thanks.
 
I would think that it would work, accept according to HP it wouldn't:
Socket type: AM3
TDP:
Motherboard supports the following processor upgrades:
AMD Athlon X2 (Bt)
AMD Athlon 64 X2 up to 6000+ (W)
AMD Phenom Triple-Core up to 8xxx (AM2+) (Toliman)
AMD Phenom Quad-Core 9xxx series (AM2+) up to 9850 (Agena)
Click to expand...
Considering it says that it's an AM3 mobo, I would think that AM3 CPUs would work on it and AM2s wouldn't, but the Sempron 2300 is an AM2 CPU, isn't it? So maybe it's actually an AM2 mobo? Either way, I would think that you should be able to use those CPUs, since AM3 cpus can be used on AM2 mobos, but it's possible that the bios won't support it, right? Maybe with a bios update?

Also one more thing: make sure that your current power supply is standard ATX form factor, so you'll new power supply will fit correctly.
 
Yea, that's what got me confused, unless the sockets are backwards compatible?

Also, at the risk of sounded like an idiot, what is ATX form factor? :D

Thanks.
 
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Its really a AM2+ board. But AM3 processors are compatible with AM2/+ sockets. But the CPU support doesnt list any AM3 proceesors. My guess is they never upgraded the Bios for AM3 support. Unless you can find a AM3 support Bios update for the board from HP.
 
StrangleHold said:
Its really a AM2+ board. But AM3 processors are compatible with AM2/+ sockets. But the CPU support doesnt list any AM3 proceesors. My guess is they never upgraded the Bios for AM3 support. Unless you can find a AM3 support Bios update for the board from HP.
Click to expand...

Are you positive about this? i don't mean to sound like an a hole but it's just that it says this on the mobo specs:

Socket type: AM3
TDP:
Motherboard supports the following processor upgrades:

*
AMD Athlon X2 (Bt)
*
AMD Athlon 64 X2 up to 6000+ (W)
*
AMD Phenom Triple-Core up to 8xxx (AM2+) (Toliman)
*
AMD Phenom Quad-Core 9xxx series (AM2+) up to 9850 (Agena)
 
Deluded said:
Are you positive about this? i don't mean to sound like an a hole but it's just that it says this on the mobo specs:

Socket type: AM3
TDP:
Motherboard supports the following processor upgrades:

*
AMD Athlon X2 (Bt)
*
AMD Athlon 64 X2 up to 6000+ (W)
*
AMD Phenom Triple-Core up to 8xxx (AM2+) (Toliman)
*
AMD Phenom Quad-Core 9xxx series (AM2+) up to 9850 (Agena)
Click to expand...

AM3 boards are DDR3

AM2 had a HT of 1000/2000 with up to DDR2 800 support

AM2+ had a HT of 2600/5200 with up to DDR2 1066 support

AM3 had a HT of 2600/5200 with DDR3 support

AM3 processor will work on socket AM2/+. But AM2/+ processors will not work on AM3 boards.
 
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Ok so with a little research on ATX form factor, and finding it regards shape/ size etc. how can i actually find out what my pc and mobo form factor is?
 
StrangleHold said:
AM3 boards are DDR3

AM2 had a HT of 1000/2000 with up to DDR2 800 support

AM2+ had a HT of 2600/5200 with up to DDR2 1066 support

AM3 had a HT of 2600/5200 with DDR3 support

AM3 processor will work on socket AM2/+. But AM2/+ processors will not work on AM3 boards.
Click to expand...

Ok, i think i just about get this, so which socket should i be matching prospective processors to as a viable upgrade?
 
Great, thanks for your help guys specially Stranglehold. :)

oh and the phenom x4 9850 won't require a BIOS update if installed?

EDIT: looking further down the page to the motherboard layout diagram, it says socket AM2 on it, i guess that clears things up a bit, and i can count those other two processors i was looking at out.
 
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Yeah, that page is confusing. Calls it a AM3, the socket has AM2, but has 2600/5200 HT which is AM2+. With the HT 2600/5200 is a AM2+

Dont know about the bios. I would just make sure it has the latest one.
 
Deluded said:
Any idea where i can go about getting the latest BIOS for my mobo? I'm not really sure where I'm supposed to be looking.

Also with the matx form factor is that going to match up with this PSU?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Corsair-CMP...1EJ8/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1290171102&sr=8-8
Click to expand...
Sorry for confusion, I think I worded it wrong. I meant the form-factor of a standard ATX power supply. The motherboard doesn't matter. Measure out your current PSU (or send us a pic) to see if it's compatible.
 
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StrangleHold said:
The CPU support doesn't list any Phenom II processors.

For the bios, what model HP is it?
Click to expand...
Yea, the only thing is i was thinking that they may have written this before the Phenom II series came out, and since they are all part of the same branch, and that the socket is compatible, that it might be a possible upgrade.

As for the BIOS, I'm not sure what the model is, any tips to help find out?

EDIT: the BIOS type is AMI, is version 5.04, and the mobo is a Violet-GL8E if any of that helps.
 
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The board was made by Asus, but HP branded. So the bios update for the am2+/940 probably does not exist from HP....hense the funny looking specs in the link. You might dig deeper on that before deciding.
 
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The board came in a HP computer. If its still in the HP it should have a model number somewhere on the case. If not do you know what model it came out of?.
 
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