updating AMD Duron to Athlon

[springy2003]

Hi, I am thinking about updating my processor in my computer soon from a Duron 1.10Ghz to a AMD Athlon XP in the range of 2600-3000. I was wondering if I have to change the motherboard, or could I just slot the new chip in. Do I need to get a new fan for it etc..

I am also thinking of increasing the RAM in my computer from 256Mb to 768Mb by adding 512mb of RAM into one of the Ram slots. Would this increase the speed of the computer better than replacing the Duron chip? I am using XP and I heard that XP eats up lots of RAM.

I do not know the full specs of my computer, since I brought it from Jungle.com (UK online company) that created a computer seller called Haus, who recently joined a catelog firm, Argos.

Any suggestion on what I can purchase since I am not sure what I should get...

 

[Kocky]

Well it depends what you do with your computer.
If you want to play the latest games than start upgrading motherboard, cpu, memory and video card and maybe even a faster hard disk.

If you just write documents and use the internet than only a memory update would be enough.

 

[franklin97355]

As for the upgrade from duron to athalon, that will depend on the motherboard so you will have to find the specs and check.

 

[paparazi]

Going on the specification that we know about (Duron 1.1) and that it was a budget Jungle.com PC, I would guess that you have a earlier 266fsb motherboard, probably with onboard graphics/sound/lan/modem and using the older SDram type of memory.
What this means as regards the upgrade is typically these boards will only support upto the XP2.4+ CPU and naturally based on a slower chipset and SDram, even after the upgrade you certainly won't be the fastest kid on the block.
Having said all of this, the jump from a budget Duron 1.1 to a fully fledged XP2.4+ is a big one and well worth the effort and relative small expense.
The increase in ram will have less of an effect on performance and I would say go for just an extra 256mb not 512 as there is little to gain between the two.
I would class this as a shorterm upgrade and will keep you going for another 18months or so.
Go for this cheap upgrade now (XP2.4+ and 256 PC133 SDram) but with a view to changing for a new platform middle to the end of next year.
Martin

Replying helps further our knowledge, without comment leaves us wondering.

 

[SkipCox]

The response from paparazi is likely 100% accurate and will give the most for the least. The Duron is worth saving to reinstall on the old motherboard at a later date and will provide a platform to use older components as you upgrade.

Skip

http://home.comcast.net/~skip9/index.html

http://scc.i8.com

 

[springy2003]

Thanks for your quick replies. I will seriously think about the upgrade to Athlon XP 2400+. Thanks.

 

[springy2003]

Oh yeah, I forgot to add... If I deside to get a AMD Athlon 2400+, do I need a new fan so to prevent the chip from overheating?? Sorry I forgot to add it in my previous post.

 

[SkipCox]

If you buy the retail version you get an adequate heatsink, fan, and much better warranty over the oem version.

Skip

http://home.comcast.net/~skip9/index.html

http://scc.i8.com

 

[paparazi]

springy2003
Yeh, you definately need a new heatsink/fan as the one on the Duron is likely to be Very Small!!
I didn't want to complicate things for you but I ought to mention that there is a possibility that your motherboard may need a bios flash to recognise the (much newer) XP2.4+
This is a service many local PC build shops will offer for around a tenner (at your own risk) but I should try the CPU first, if the board needs a bios upgrade it either won't post or it won't read the XP2.4 CPU correctly.
Martin

Replying helps further our knowledge, without comment leaves us wondering.

 

[jsauce]

If you still have the motherboard manual for your board you can check it. Most manuals list what the motherboard is capable of handling at its max.

John D. Saucier
jsauce@magicguild.com
Certified Technician
Network Administrator

 

[Xemus]

If you don't know what your motherboard is, there is a free tool that will identify it for you.

http://www.belarc.com

Post your stats (not the whole log, just the part names) from that and we can give you more specific advise.

http://www.closedsocket.com

 

[springy2003]

Thanks, Xemus. I have used that free tool and I have come up with this...

Main Circuit BoardBoard:
MICRO-STAR INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD MS-6378(VT8361)
Bus Clock: 100 megahertz
BIOS: Award Software International, Inc. 6.00 PG 12/18/2001

System Model
Centerprise MS-6378

Memory Modules
248 Megabytes Installed Memory

 

[jsauce]

http://www.msi.com.tw/program/products/mainboard/mbd/pro_mbd_detail.php?UID=22

Depending on your PCB version you may be able to update the bios to provide you with better CPU support. Check out

http://www.msicomputer.com

for more details. However this looks like a fairly older motherboard that supports some of the older technology like the PC133 ram and the UDMA 66 max.

John D. Saucier
jsauce@magicguild.com
Certified Technician
Network Administrator