• Welcome to TechPowerUp Forums, Guest! Please check out our forum guidelines for info related to our community.

CPU Upgrade question

nflesher87

Staff
Joined
Dec 4, 2006
Messages
4,518 (0.66/day)
Location
Texas
This is probably a really novice question to ask but, my fiance's computer is a cheapo HP her dad got her for school and is running a Sempron +3000 Palermo socket 754, I'd like to give it a little boost and noticed that newegg still carries an Athlon 3200+ for the socket (albeit way outdated and out of production)
- what kind of control will I have since it is a an HP computer and not custom built?
- will the bios need flashed or anything and is that possible with an manuf. computer?
 
is the mobo from hp, or at least a half decent brand
 
little edit, it's actually socket 939(I just ran cpuz) and the mobo is from MSI so not bad, also I have two 512mb sticks of ran and they're only running single channel, what's up with that?
 
It is unlikely, in my experience of HP systems that you will have any control over the motherboard BIOS, there probably will be updates but the boards tend to be specifically made for the system with little or no overclocking options.

If that is the case, I would seriously recommend (if you are not going to change the system/mobo) trying to get your hands on a Socket 754 Athlon 3400, at least at stock you will see more of a performance increase, there are still some around if you know where to look.

That aside of course, you could always try a decent software overclocking tool and try to overclock your FSB through Windows, "Clockgen" for example, however you must bear in mind, these do not/cannot raise voltages or even add a memory divider or lower HTT which means whilst you may get a small increase, very quickly voltages or memory/HTT speed will become a disabling factor.
 
HP tend to use major manufacturers for their boards but they usually tend to be "Bios locked" made to measure version without the options. What CPU-Z are you using? If as you say your previous chip was a Semperon I dont think it can be S939 as I beleive Semperons were only compatible with Socket A and Socket 754 (and later AM2) and that would explain why you are running in single channel mode???? Check the model of your Mobo at the HP product support site, that might make things clearer.
 
It seems I am wrong in as much as there was specifically an OEM Semperon designed for S939 for OEM PC builders such as HP, Fujitsu etc, I dont think however they had the on die dual memory controller which is perhaps why you are running in single mode.
 
hp normal use branded mobos so you could always upgrade the cpu, and if you get the mobo number see if it supports x2 which there is a good chance it will and in that case get a cheap 4400 or higher
 
Just confirming your research Tatty.

You are correct about the 939 Semp. No Memory Controller on-die, and my friend had one as oem in a compaq.

Definitely second the opinion of Clockgen, I got my friends up to 2.1 Ghz, it made a difference like night and day.
 
Just confirming your research Tatty.

You are correct about the 939 Semp. No Memory Controller on-die, and my friend had one as oem in a compaq.

Definitely second the opinion of Clockgen, I got my friends up to 2.1 Ghz, it made a difference like night and day.

Thank you! Regan's suggestion is good about checking the dual core support, I think his answer depends on whether the Mobo has BIOS support for dual cores and is it overclockable as in does it have voltage and memory divider options.
 
Most probably it would take. Just the bios will report as "Unknown CPU type". If the memory is dual channel compatible then it will be recognized as dual channel.

Try running CrystalCPUID or Sandra Lite to get more details about your motherboard.

Like Dell has, HP might have a way to identify their setup by logging on to their website. Best Call tech support.:D

Just my 2 cents.
 
Most probably it would take. Just the bios will report as "Unknown CPU type". If the memory is dual channel compatible then it will be recognized as dual channel.

Try running CrystalCPUID or Sandra Lite to get more details about your motherboard.

Like Dell has, HP might have a way to identify their setup by logging on to their website. Best Call tech support.:D

Just my 2 cents.

The memory even if it was dual channel would not be recognised as such on a chip that does not have a dual channel memory controller on die and therefore can only work in single channel mode.
 
I was mentioning that if a Athlon 64 was replaced in that machine. Athlon 64 has DC Ram controller.
 
well here's everything that crystalcpuid is showing me, see what you guys think:

attachment.php
 
Last edited:
I think I've pretty much decided to just go with this http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103023 processor since it's the cheapest available and will definitely show a significant performance increase over the 1.8ghz sempron w/o HTT but it raises a question: will the motherboard support the HTT of the new athlon and how do I find out?

Look on the manufacturers site, find the board and it will show a CPU compatibility list.
 
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/...&cc=us&x=0&dlc=en&product=1841795&lang=en&y=0
k found this page with the info on the motherboard
is that guide at the bottom of the page instructions on how to get full access to the BIOS? such and voltage/clock controls?

No, thats just talking about clearing jumpers if you mess up a setting in the BIOS, currently what options do you have in BIOS, do you have an "Advanced Chipest" type tab?

The good thing from that is that your mobo will support dual core upto 4800+ is if you cannot overclock it that will be a significant improvement over the Semperon, any Venice or Manchester or Windsor core sockey 939 chip has a dual channel memory controller "on die" so your memory will also work in dual mode. I would prob go for the 4600+ x2.
 
No, thats just talking about clearing jumpers if you mess up a setting in the BIOS, currently what options do you have in BIOS, do you have an "Advanced Chipest" type tab?

The good thing from that is that your mobo will support dual core upto 4800+ is if you cannot overclock it that will be a significant improvement over the Semperon, any Venice or Manchester or Windsor core sockey 939 chip has a dual channel memory controller "on die" so your memory will also work in dual mode. I would prob go for the 4600+ x2.

Phew, and lastly, I have found the latest version of your BIOS, it is here:

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/...lang=en&os=228&y=0&x=0&dlc=en&product=1841795

Follow the instructions CAREFULLY to flash/update but first check to make sure that this is an update to your current BIOS, it will say the version and date of the BIOS on the BIOS startup page.

As I said before, even if it does not add any overclocking options (which is quite normal for an OEM product) a 4600+ would give you a significant increase in performance but if you want a cheaper option and are happy with single core then the 4000+ San Diego can be had for £50, both of those processors stock at 2.4Gig so they will seem lightning to what you are used to.
 
I'd like to think it'll run the Athlon 64s ok, maybe the mobo/ bios limit the cpu's multiplier to that of the cpu it came sold with, freaky HP stuff! U may find a better bios if you google it. Maybe Polygon at the Rebel's haven forum can offer a better bios anyway.

I'd like to wish you luck and I;d like to see what way this all works out in the end! You may be better getting a bottom end AM2 board and cpu deal from somewhere, it's cheap as chips now and there's LOTS of stock everywhere for mobo and cpus :D
 
This board, for all intents and purposes, is an ms-7093. They are identical except for the # of sata ports. There has been some success with flashing the MSI bios to it and unlocking the options within, but i have not done this. I myself have an a1250n, with the same board....that i have gutted. I pulled out and sold the 3800 x2 dual core for a 4800 x2 dual core and had no problems. There is a new bios version on hp's website,

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/softwareDownloadIndex?softwareitem=pv-39428-1&lc=en&cc=us&dlc=en&product=1127366&os=228&jumpid=reg_R1002_USEN.

your board will support the opteron 185 (329$$) which is the opteron twin of the fx60, and the opteron 180 (239$$) the clone of the 4800 x2. both are still avaliable at the newegg. it will also go for the fx60, if you can find one. I have added an xfi soundcard, 2 gigs of gskill 2.5-3-3-6 ram in dual channel (removed and sold the stock), a couple of new harddrives, antec trio 650 ps, an x800gto, x1900xtx, and an x1950pro....also with no problems. i also suggest getting at least the freezer 64 pro, and a better case fan (i use the af9 from arctic).
 
Last edited:
The memory even if it was dual channel would not be recognised as such on a chip that does not have a dual channel memory controller on die and therefore can only work in single channel mode.

I don't think any 939 chips lacked dual channel memory controllers. That was socket 754 only.
 
I don't think any 939 chips lacked dual channel memory controllers. That was socket 754 only.

Your quite right but he has an OEM only Socket 939 Semperon that does not have the on die controller.
 
Back
Top