Processor questions / Asus A7N8X-X motherboard.

[JacksonVFR]

Well, I've solved the question of "what is wrong with my computer" which took a month to answer and now I'm on to trying to decide what processor to buy as well as some other questions which are bugging me.

Now, I guess once a processor is "shot", it's "shot", but I hooked mine up earlier and the heatsink still became hot. Is this normal on a dead/bad processor? Minor question, but I'm curious.

Some other petty ones would be if I should apply a thermal paste or a thermal pad inbetween the processor and heatsink? I've never done this before, but I'm confident in doing the work myself. Any opinions, recommendations and tips would come in handy for a novice like me!

I suppose, lastly, the question is what good budget AMD processor do you all recommend for this PC of mine? My old one was a AMD Athlon XP 2500+ with Barton core. I was considering upgrading to this:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819103377

Good choice and price?

Also, I need it cleared up if Sempron AMDs would need a bios upgrade on my Asus board to run? Also, should I avoid Sempron and get the Athlon? And MOST IMPORTANT, should I avoid Socket A all-together and upgrade my motherboard with my processor purchase? Thanks in advance guys, I know it's a lot of questions.

 

[kmcferrin]

The heatsink may still heat up if the CPU is dead. If the CPU is mounted and the system is powered on, electricity will still flow through the CPU, generating heat. Not all of the circuit paths will necessarily work correctly (if the CPU is shot), but it will still use electricity.

On thermal paste/versus pad, it's up to you. High performance thermal pastes can be more efficient than the thermal pad, but the pad should be sufficient for most use. If you buy a retail boxed CPU then it will have the thermal pad already installed on the heatsink. If you buy OEM then you'll need to get some paste. Arctic Silver is supposed to be pretty good.

Regarding the CPUs, we'll need to know what model board you have and the current BIOS revision to give you much detailed info. Since you're looking at going from a 2500+ Barton to a 2800+ Barton, and they have the same FSB speeds, etc, you will probably be OK with your motherboard. It would still be prudent to check though. In fact, if you check the manual it may indicate what speed CPUs are supported.

In general though, the Sempron are the budget line. An Athlon XP of similar clock speed will be faster than the Sempron CPU. Since Socket A is on it's way out, the Athlon XP CPUs will probably be fairly inexpensive, so unless you are extremely cash strapped there's no point in going with the Sempron. Also, if you plan on getting much more use out of your system without doing a major upgrade, I'd say pack it with the fastest CPU that you can. It still won't be that expensive.

If you're thinking of upgrading from Socket A (presumably to Socket 939) then you're looking at a lot more money. I would avoid Socket 754 at this point since it is going the way of Socket A. I'm assuming that you prefer AMD over Intel as well, since that's what you're running. To go to Socket 939 you would need a new mainboard (approx $130 for amid-range one) and CPU (approximately $230 for a low-mid range one). Also, you would probably want more memory to take advantage of the faster memory bus on the Athlon 64s, so that's another $100 or so for a 1 GB dual-channel memory kit. But if you go that far, you'll probably be getting a board with PCI Express video instead of AGP, so you'll have to shell out for a new video card as well (another $100-$300, depending on what you want).

 

[JacksonVFR]

Wow, kmcferrin, thanks. So, it looks like I'm sticking with Socket A since it's more budget-wise and I am on a budget here.

My main concern is that if I get the retail AMD Athlon XP 2800+ if I'll get the warranty since Socket A is on it's way out, right? I don't even know the warranty for a retail AMD, so if anybody knows, can they tell me. Also, in a few years, lets say a scenario happens where my motherboard goes bad. Will Socket A motherboards still be around?

My system is fast and fine enough for me (when working!), I'm a minimalistic user. I don't play any games on mine and it doesn't get any extreme usage. I have no problem sticking with Socket A, but I just hope the parts don't go dissapearing. I don't know the current news on computer hardware enough, so maybe you guys can answer.

 

[kmcferrin]

The warranty on the CPU is on the CPU itself, not the platform. I'm not sure what they would do for a replacement CPU if your CPU died after they were discontinued but still under warranty. I've never actually heard of anyone making use of a warranty on a CPU past the first 30 days, as generally if they work for burn-in then they won't fail unless you do something that voids the warranty anyways.

As far as having spare parts around in a few years, you'll probably be able to find them on eBay and similar sites. You could probably still get ahold of 486 motherboards today if you wanted one bad enough. But you can't really buy a new one at retail.

Of course, if it all goes pear-shaped in a couple of years, there will probably be something else available that is faster for a much lower price than it is today. In fact you can bet on it.

 

[JacksonVFR]

If my main decisions are to either stick with Socket A or upgrade to Socket 939, I'm sticking with Socket A. Tomorrow I'm going to end this insanity with my horrid, half-working backup computer and get my new parts. Looks like the AMD Athlon XP 2800+ retail will be it. I hope it comes with an adequate heatsink and thermal material. I'm not going to overclock or anything anyways, but still.

Also, I am going to get a new power supply. I only need about 350 watts at the moment, but I'm going to get this nice 500 watt. Does it matter? It won't draw more power, right, only if I plug in more stuff, right? In other words, a 500 watt powering the same stuff I use a 350 watt for won't be less energy efficient, will it? Hopefully this will be the end of my questions!

 

[paparazi]

JacksonVFR
The stock retail heatsink supplied with an XP2.8+ is perfectly adequate at normal default speeds, it comes ready applied with thermal goo, just make sure you fit it the right way around (recess in the base of the heatsink so it is positioned over the raised cam box of the CPU socket)

Getting a bigger power supply will just mean you have more power in reserve, technically you will use a tiny bit more power, this is due to the overall efficiency of any power supply, a certain amount is lost, the bigger the PSU the larger the loss but we are only talking a small amount and nothing you would notice on your bill.

I would suggest, if you haven't already done so, fit at least one extra case fan (fist one exhausting under the power supply)

Martin



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