Upgrading CPU

slacker2 · Post by **slacker2** » Fri Nov 22, 2002 7:38 pm

I currently have an AMD 1.4 as my processor. My motherboard will support up to a 1.8. So that got me to thinking about what I would need to do if I wanted to upgrade. So my question is can I upgrade my CPU without having to reinstall windows? Could I just update the motherboard drivers and bios and then run as usual. Or would it be advisable to just reformat and start from scratch.

Slacker

HighLordDave · Post by **HighLordDave** » Fri Nov 22, 2002 9:52 pm

What OS are you running?

In many instances, changing the CPU won't necessitate a complete fdisk>format>reinstall. In fact, often you won't even need to flash the BIOS. Just drop the new processor in and go. Of course, you should ensure that your motherboard will support the processor that you're installing.

There really isn't a CPU driver; the processor may be the heart of the machine, but it's really just one super-powered calculator. Most operating systems won't even notice that you have installed a new CPU the same way they will notice a new chipset or video card.

The only OS that may give you issues is Windows XP which has the Microsoft registration that checks for hardware changes and requires you to call Microsoft and tell them that you're changing hardware so as to ensure that you're not violating the licensing agreement (and enabling Bill Gates to keep an eye on what stuff you're buying and installing). However, I have heard that you have to change a lot of hardware before XP requires you to re-register with Microsoft.

By the way, if you're going to shell out the money for a faster CPU, you may as well pick up another stick of RAM while you're at it (up to whatever the board will support).

slacker2 · Post by **slacker2** » Sat Nov 23, 2002 1:41 am

I am running windows XP and currently got 512 ram (can go to 3GB). And I stand corrected I can upgrade from a 1.4 to an AthlonXP 2000. I have a Giga-Byte GA-7DXR motherboard in a Raid configuration. Now am by no means a Tech Guru, so I will leave it up to you guys. If I did upgrade my cpu would I see a big jump in performance? I guess that I should also mention that I am gonna be getting the Radeon 9700 pro for Christmas (currently running Geforce2 64mb). Thanks in advance.

Slacker

HighLordDave · Post by **HighLordDave** » Sat Nov 23, 2002 7:07 pm

You will not see that much of a performance increase, and in my opinion, a Radeon 9700 video card would be wasted in your machine unless you are going to upgrade the motherboard in the near future.

The Radeon 9700 supports the 8X AGP bus, and although I don't have the Gigabyte 7DXA specs in front of me, I'm pretty sure it only has a 4X AGP bus on it. This means that you are going to have lots of extra capability and pipelines that the computer simply can't use.

If I were you, I'd either go with the Radeon 9000 or pick up a GeForce4 Ti card if you are not also going to get a new motherboard (at which point, you will proably also want to get a new CPU and memory).

slacker2 · Post by **slacker2** » Sat Nov 23, 2002 7:16 pm

GOOD POINT!! Never thought of it from that point of view. What's the point of having the power if you cant use it. I will have to check the specs but I think you are right about the AGP port. And if thats the case now we are talking about a whole system revamp which I really don't want to do right now. By the time I want to upgrade my motherboard there will be something bigger and better out ther. Doesn't really seem worth it at this point and time. The 4600Ti will then probably be my best option with a CPU upgrade if I feel like it. HLD thanks for your help and advice.

Just on a side note this is one of if not the best tech support forums on the web. Kudos to all who contribute and keep up the good work.

Slacker

HighLordDave · Post by **HighLordDave** » Sat Nov 23, 2002 8:41 pm

I have an Visiontek Xstasy GeForce4 Ti 4200 and everything I run on it looks great. Even though Visiontek has gone under, I hear that PNY makes a good GeForce4 Ti card, but you really can't go wrong with any of them; just make sure you get a 128 MB card, don't settle for a 64 MB video card.

:

ockets check from nVidia::

If you're considering upgrading motherboards, I also recommend MSI; they're rock-solid stable and the support is pretty good. Plus they're coming out with new boards that support VIA's KT400 chipset and I think the newer ones have both Promise on-board RAID and 8X AGP bus.

:

ockets check from MSI::

Mr Flibble · Post by **Mr Flibble** » Sat Nov 23, 2002 10:49 pm

Originally posted by HighLordDave
The Radeon 9700 supports the 8X AGP bus, and although I don't have the Gigabyte 7DXA specs in front of me, I'm pretty sure it only has a 4X AGP bus on it. This means that you are going to have lots of extra capability and pipelines that the computer simply can't use.

If I were you, I'd either go with the Radeon 9000 or pick up a GeForce4 Ti card if you are not also going to get a new motherboard (at which point, you will proably also want to get a new CPU and memory).

That would be correct. The GA-7DXR uses the AMD 760 chipset, which has 4x AGP so you really won't be taking full advantage of the Radeon 9700. If you're looking to upgrade your motherboard I'd recommend something based on the nForce2 instead of the VIA KT400.

A point to note about your planned CPU upgrade is that the BIOS required for that CPU is relatively new so you may need to upgrade it to ensure your system remains stable.

Mr Sleep · Post by **Mr Sleep** » Sun Nov 24, 2002 8:24 am

Just to counter HLD's points about the 8x AGP port, apparently there are very few programs/games that use the higher speed and in fact the 8x doesn't really mean that much in the long run, most games don't even use the AGP 4x port yet. Perhaps in a few years they will come into proper use but as such I wouldn't worry about it too much.

Personally I use a Gainward TI4200, as HLD says they are all pretty good but apparently the 64MB Gainward is the fastest and most stable. I went for the 64MB due to finance and the higher clock speed. Haven't really seen any problems with that choice so far.

Kameleon · Post by **Kameleon** » Sun Nov 24, 2002 9:04 am

Originally posted by Mr Sleep
Just to counter HLD's points about the 8x AGP port, apparently there are very few programs/games that use the higher speed and in fact the 8x doesn't really mean that much in the long run, most games don't even use the AGP 4x port yet. Perhaps in a few years they will come into proper use but as such I wouldn't worry about it too much.

I tend to agree - AGP bus speed would be pretty much the lowest thing on my priority list when comparing and choosing graphics cards...

Interestingly enough, I too have a GA-7DXR, Athlon (1.2) and a Geforce2 MX...if I had enough money to upgrade I would...graphics card first, then RAM (only 256MB, but it's getting so expensive nowadays), then processor...

HighLordDave · Post by **HighLordDave** » Sun Nov 24, 2002 8:57 pm

Originally posted by Mr Sleep
Just to counter HLD's points about the 8x AGP port, apparently there are very few programs/games that use the higher speed and in fact the 8x doesn't really mean that much in the long run, most games don't even use the AGP 4x port yet. Perhaps in a few years they will come into proper use but as such I wouldn't worry about it too much.

Quite true, Mr Sleep, but if most games aren't even taking full advantage of a 4X AGP bus, why get a video card that uses an 8X AGP bus? In my mind, the only real reason to invest in a Radeon 9700 is for the geek points and to be the first one on your block to have the biggest and baddest video card on the market (until nVidia's new chipset hits the street in January). The prices on the GeForce4 Ti cards are dropping, so why not save $200 and get a GeForce4 Ti 4200 with 128 MB of DDR memory?

If you are deadset on getting a new ATI card, get a Radeon 9000, which is basically a repackaged Radeon 8500 with some modifications to accomodate DirectX 9. I've heard that ATI's driver support has gotten better in the last year or so and I've been a loyal ATI user until I built my last computer. I've seen the Radeon 9000 Pro in the $150 (USD) range, so they're in the same price range at the 64 MB GeForce4 Ti cards.

Mr Sleep · Post by **Mr Sleep** » Mon Nov 25, 2002 4:24 am

Originally posted by HighLordDave
Quite true, Mr Sleep, but if most games aren't even taking full advantage of a 4X AGP bus, why get a video card that uses an 8X AGP bus? In my mind, the only real reason to invest in a Radeon 9700 is for the geek points and to be the first one on your block to have the biggest and baddest video card on the market (until nVidia's new chipset hits the street in January). The prices on the GeForce4 Ti cards are dropping, so why not save $200 and get a GeForce4 Ti 4200 with 128 MB of DDR memory?

The Radeon 9700 is the fastest card out there at the moment, that can't really be debated and although ATI's driver support is hopeless they have produced a nifty card. I personally think he should go for a ti4200, there is no reason not to with them retailing so cheaply, I got mine for just over 100 pounds...bargain!

slacker2 · Post by **slacker2** » Tue Nov 26, 2002 6:56 pm

Sleep. Why not the 4600 Ti? Just wondering if there was a reason why you would chose the 4200 Ti. I have the nice option of price not being a consideration if that was your reasoning.

Slacker

HighLordDave · Post by **HighLordDave** » Tue Nov 26, 2002 8:22 pm

If price is no option, get the GeForce4 Ti 4600. However, bang for buck, the 4200 is a much better card, with 85%of the performance at half the price.

For the $200 price difference, you can also get a SoundBlaster Live! 5.1 sound card, matching Creative 5.1 speakers, a name-brand CD-RW and still have some money left over to put towards more system RAM.

slacker2 · Post by **slacker2** » Tue Nov 26, 2002 10:45 pm

Okay lets then take this one step further. Assuming I get either the 4600 or 4200, which manufacturer would you recommend. I have read alot of reviews and it seems Gainward and Visiontek get the best reviews, but I think I trust the opinions here more.

Slacker

Mr Sleep · Post by **Mr Sleep** » Wed Nov 27, 2002 7:05 am

Well you might want to try a 4400 which would save you a certain amount of money if you are not interested in certain TV our features. Personally I live Gainward, nice stable cards.