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AMD Athlon 64 3800+ or AMD Opteron 275 Dual-Core?
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Senior Member
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9. July 2008 @ 00:09 |
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I have an Acer T180 (AST180-EA381B) which includes an AMD Athlon 64 3800+. I upgraded to RAM to 2GB and the graphics card is pretty good: NVIDIA GeForce 6150SE nForce 430.
The only thing bugging me is the processor: it's not a dual-core and it's not very powerful. I am willing to change the processor but my motherboard can only support the AMD Opteron 200 series (which is what I read on Google, please notify me if I am wrong) so I searched eBay for an AMD Opteron 275 Dual-Core 2.2 GHz (which is one of the best in its series) and found one for around $100 CAD with shipping.
Should I change processors? Is the AMD Opteron 275 Dual-Core better than the AMD Athlon 64 3800+?
Thanks!
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AfterDawn Addict
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9. July 2008 @ 10:08 |
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It's socket 939, which means it will support at least the other X2s, 4200,4400,4600,4800.To be fair though, none of these will give anywhere near as much extra performance as a Core 2 Duo based setup. I'd wait until you can afford to upgrade the rest of the system. The graphics card is actually really terrible by modern standards, but if it's sufficient for your purposes then it's best left alone, the system won't have the cooling or power to add a better GPU.
(For reference, current graphics cards are between 50 and 150 times as powerful as the 6150SE)
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Senior Member
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9. July 2008 @ 19:40 |
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Originally posted by sammorris:
It's socket 939, which means it will support at least the other X2s, 4200,4400,4600,4800.To be fair though, none of these will give anywhere near as much extra performance as a Core 2 Duo based setup. I'd wait until you can afford to upgrade the rest of the system. The graphics card is actually really terrible by modern standards, but if it's sufficient for your purposes then it's best left alone, the system won't have the cooling or power to add a better GPU.
(For reference, current graphics cards are between 50 and 150 times as powerful as the 6150SE)
I am willing to switch to a dual-core AMD Athlon 64 like the 5200 or the 6000 but I don't think my motherboard will support it so I'm looking for a processor that my motherboard will support. I don't mind changing the motherboard but I read that chaning my motherboard and putting a better one requires changing the PC's case which I don't want to do. Please help me decide what to do and please correct me if needed.
As for my graphics card, it's not terrible. When I bought my PC, it came with Windows Vista Home Basic and 512MB DDR2 RAM so I updated it to 2GB and then some Windows download told me the best OS for my PC is Windows Vista Home Premium. I didn't even touch the graphics card and all the Windows Aero effects work great and smoothly (Glass, Flip3D, live thumbnails etc.). Also, I don't play cutting edge games but all online games I tried work great.
So once again please tell me if I'm right or wrong about the processor issue and please help me decide which processor to buy.
Thanks!
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AfterDawn Addict
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10. July 2008 @ 06:41 |
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Aero doesn't use any graphical power, it just requires a graphicscard that can actually render 3D. Similarly online games (I'm assuming you're thinking flash-based ones here) aren't even rendered by the graphics card most of the time, so it's never being used. Try and play anything modern on the PC and it wouldn't work - but, it's all down to use, if you don't need to play games like those, then there's no problem in you having the 6150SE. Just don't go spreading rumours the 6150SE is a good card, that's all... :)
As for the CPU, the highest one you're likely to be able to put in is a 4800+ or perhaps an Opteron 175, if you can find one. I don't know about the Opteron 200s as typically they're only used in dual-CPU boards, I wouldn't risk it, personally.
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10. July 2008 @ 16:31 |
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OK, I'll consider a 4800 X2. But can I change my processor to Intel? or will i have to change the mobo too?
You said the graphics card is terrible. i never said its great..i mean its "decent".
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AfterDawn Addict
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10. July 2008 @ 16:36 |
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Sorry, but as someone who plays games on their PC (the only thing a graphics card is really used for) I have to state exactly how powerful graphics cards are, and the 6150SE can barely play three year old games at minimum settings.
As for the CPU, you will need a new board and memory to use an Intel chip - but doing so is highly recommended, you'll get far greater performance than with almost any compatible CPU with your existing board.
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Senior Member
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11. July 2008 @ 12:55 |
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I would like t change my CPU to an Intel one thus also changing my motherboard but I need to know:
1) Which Intel chip should I get if I don't play hardcore games but I watch a lot of video and love fast computers? I am looking for a combo chip and motherboard for around $100-$120.
2) If I change my motherboard will I also have to change the computer's case?
3) Where can I get a combo motherboard and CPU
4) Which Intel processors series is the best for em and which model.
Thanks a lot.
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AfterDawn Addict
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12. July 2008 @ 05:38 |
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You don't want to buy a CPU/Motherboard combo, buy them separately, combos are nasty things, very ill-featured and often low quality - note, CPUs are not preinstalled in them anyway.
I'd recommend something like an E2160 and P35-DS3L, which should set you back in the region of $150.
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Senior Member
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13. July 2008 @ 13:27 |
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OK thank you so much.
But three last questions:
-If I change the motherboard will I have to change the computer's case?
-Are you sure my computer which came OEM with AMD will work with Intels?
-Lastly where can I get the motherboard and processor you suggested?
Thanks so much.
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AfterDawn Addict
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13. July 2008 @ 15:15 |
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1. If it's a Micro ATX case it won't fit an ATX motherboard. If it's a proper ATX one however it will, easy way to check this is to check what size your current board is (if it's microATX it'll have three or four slots at the bottom, full size ATX will have six or seven). If you have a microATX board but there is another set of screw holes below it your case can also fit a full size board.
2. No reason why not, as long as you don't have a low rated PSU.
3. See the links in my signature.
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Senior Member
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13. July 2008 @ 20:44 |
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Currently I can't open my PC but it's an Acer ASPT180-EA381B, 14" high and 6.5" wide and:
Will the motherboard you suggested fit?
Also, how do I see what my "PSU" is rated (I have no idea what it is..)?
Lastly do you have direct links to what you suggested (MB and CPU)?
This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 13. July 2008 @ 20:46
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AfterDawn Addict
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14. July 2008 @ 06:31 |
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Looks like a microATX case, so you probably won't be able to put a full size ATX board in it. However, since you're not looking at getting a proper graphics card, that suits as small boards often have integrated graphics.
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Senior Member
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14. July 2008 @ 13:44 |
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OK.
So what motherboard/cpu (brand, model) should I get WITHOUT changing the case and where can I get them?
Thanks.
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AfterDawn Addict
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14. July 2008 @ 14:22 |
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15. July 2008 @ 01:04 |
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OK thanks
but what processor does it have and is it duo (X2)? Also, is it only 1,6GHz? Lastly, what graphics card and sound card does it include?
Thanks an a million thanks for elping me throughout this.
I hope this MB will fit in my PC without having to change the case.
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AfterDawn Addict
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15. July 2008 @ 06:04 |
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Senior Member
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15. July 2008 @ 13:10 |
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Does the E2180 include a motherboard? Can I put the e2180 in my pc without having to change the motherboard or the case.
thanks-
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AfterDawn Addict
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15. July 2008 @ 18:18 |
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No, and no.
Sorry.
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Senior Member
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15. July 2008 @ 20:06 |
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Do you know a max. 50$ motherboard in which I can install this processor. A motherboard with a graphics adapter and DDR2 slots and a sound card? Also can a barebone MB take the sound card and graphics adapter i already have? like taking everything I have and putting it in the new MB except for the processor? I need a MB that will not require me to change the PC's case.
Thanks.
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AfterDawn Addict
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16. July 2008 @ 07:58 |
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This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 16. July 2008 @ 08:03
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Senior Member
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16. July 2008 @ 12:15 |
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Can I buy a barebone motherboard and put the graphics adapter, ethernet controller, sound card, RAM (DDR2), everything except for the processor and buy the processor you suggested and install it on there?
If so, please suggest a barebone motherboard.
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AfterDawn Addict
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16. July 2008 @ 12:22 |
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The board I just listed includes all of that except the CPU and the RAM. To my knowledge you already have some DDR2 RAM, so all you need to get is the board and the processor.
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Senior Member
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17. July 2008 @ 00:10 |
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That's great.
But I don't want a weaker graphics adapter so can I buy that motherboard and put in my existing graphics adapter instead of the other one? And if the one you suggested has a terrible sound card or ethernet controller can I change that too?
What about the the Gigabyte GA-EG31M-S2 board, are thegraphics weaker than mine? Can I change the graphics, sound adapter and ethernet controller if I need/want to? Does it have DDR2 slots?
Sorry for too many questions.
Yes I have 2GB of DDR2 RAM.
This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 17. July 2008 @ 00:12
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AfterDawn Addict
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17. July 2008 @ 07:16 |
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Your existing graphics adapter is integrated, so you won't be able to transfer it to a new motherboard. Your best option is to buy a separate graphics card and use that instead, it will be far more powerful than the integrated graphics on any motherboard. Here's an example of something cheap that will get the job done:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127368
The sound and ethernet controllers on that board are fine so you don't need to change those.
The board has DDR2 slots which you can use with your existing memory, however, it only has two slots, so for you to use 2GB, you will need to have 2 1GB sticks rather than 4 512MB sticks. Given that you already own a microATX board though, that's what you're more likely to have anyway.
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17. July 2008 @ 12:49 |
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Actually my motherboard has four slots and I use 2x 512MB and 1 1GB. I use 3 slots. Does that mean my motherboard is still a microATX?
I have a "HT 2000 MCP61PM-AM" please tell me if this is a microATX.
If it is then I need a motherboard with at least 3 DDR2 slots.
If it isn't please give me a good suggestion which will not be too expensive.
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