Best budget upgrade for mobo/cpu?

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Ok, I just talked to another Compaq representative. 24-hour chat is badass. Although they take forever to give you an answer. Anyways, I just found out that my mobo supports up to xp2000 or 1.667ghz.

Sounds like a pretty good deal considering newegg has Retail XP2000+ for $65.

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AT&T is the <font color=red>DEVIL</font color=red>!
 
sorry to say but that sounds like bullshit to me...if your mobo can support a 266mhz bus...then it should also be able to support the 2400 which is using a 266mhz bus...

If i put my k6 in a Ferrari it would be faster than your your pentium 4 or Athlon XP :tongue:
 
Really? Are you sure there are no other differences between 2000 and 2400? Like a different core or something?

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AT&T is the <font color=red>DEVIL</font color=red>!
 
no there are no diffrences...they are the exact same core...amd just does performance selection at the factory...

The only thing i can think of is that...there board does not support multiplyers over 12.5x? I have never heard of a mobo that does not support this...however maybe it does not read the 5th bit that diffines multiplyers?

I find it kind of unlikely...i really don't know...but i can say that i think you have a 90% chance of it working...also remember to download the latest bios from compaq...

If i put my k6 in a Ferrari it would be faster than your your pentium 4 or Athlon XP :tongue:
 
Well, he *might* have a motherboard with a really old DDR chipset, like the AMD 760 or Sis 735. I'm not sure how high they support in terms of Athlons, but the 12.5 multiplier may be the limit. Updating the bios may or may not help, but I wouldn't be surprised if it doesn't considering it's a compaq. It's likely a proprietary motherboard or a cheaper brand like QDI or DFI.

I want to see an <font color=blue>Ati Radeon 99999 Ultra Pro</font color=blue>, based on the <font color=red>AtiRage core</font color=red>. And people wonder how a <font color=purple>Geforce3</font color=purple> is better than a <font color=orange>Geforce4 Mx...</font color=orange>
 
You hit it on the nose Quet. Using Aida(love that program) I found out that my chipset is in fact a 760. So does this verify that the xp2000 is as high as I can go?

And if so would you guys recommend this upgrade? Sounds like a pretty good deal at $65.00.

Again thanks for the help everyone. You guys are awesome. :smile:

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AT&T is the <font color=red>DEVIL</font color=red>!
 
the 760 can take over 12.5 x multis...

Like i said you have a very good chance of getting a 2400 to work...like 90 percent

If i put my k6 in a Ferrari it would be faster than your your pentium 4 or Athlon XP :tongue:
 
Wow, I thought by the way Quet said "with a really old DDR chipset, like the AMD 760" I would be SOL for a xp2400. But you are saying the 760 can go past 12.5x. But if you are sure it will go past 12.5(which I assume is what I would need to get a 2400), then why only 90% sure it will work?

Cheers.

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AT&T is the <font color=red>DEVIL</font color=red>!
 
see what you are failing to understand is that all chipsets can take a 13x or greater multi...the thing is...has the board manufacturer implimented the fifth bit multiplyer detection...i am guessing they have because i have never heard of a problem of a board not being able to use high multi's in fact in the days of the durons...people would mod the chip to enable multis up and over 13x...

boards have been able to support over 12.5x multis for a long time...so i don't think it will be a problem...i just said that could be a problem cause that was the only reason i could think of why compaq would say something like that...that's all...

BTW the age of the chipset only determines the max fsb the cpu can run...i mean if there was a 133mhz bus 3ghz cpu...you could support it...

Thats my .02...if you are willing to take a bit of a chance it could pay off..

If i put my k6 in a Ferrari it would be faster than your your pentium 4 or Athlon XP :tongue:
 
pIII_Man, let me just say I totally appreciate your .02 cents. :smile:

And I'm really sorry I'm so ignorant about all this stuff. I just don't know alot about multipliers n such and I'm just trying to clarify what I read.

So would I need to verify that my mobo manuf. "impemented the fifth bit multiplier detection"? I mean if I asked Compaq would they be able to tell me something like this? Me thinks not. :wink:

If I'm whipping you with these questions I'm sorry, but I just want to make as much sure as possible that my board should be able to support an xp2400.

Basically, what do you think I should ask/find out from Compaq or on my own that would definitively answer this compatability issue of the 2400 fitting my mobo?

Thanks.

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AT&T is the <font color=red>DEVIL</font color=red>!
 
there used to be a compaq employee (zanther) on these forums although a real dick...he would have known the anwswer...

I would call up compaq again...that way you get a diffrent sales rep...se if he gives the same answer...i am curious...

Don't worry...we are all ignorant in some aspect...at least you care and are willing to learn

I have never heard of a 5th bit problem like i said...the reason i say 90% chance is i dunno what kind of cheep ass board compaq is using...

here are some difinitive ways of getting an answer....

research to see if they ever sold your computer with the option of getting a duron 1300 or higher...

call up compaq a few times to see if you can find a real sharp sales rep (there are always 1 or 2) get into a conversation about him...basically say...."i don't understand why this board has a 2000+ limitation...the 2400+ uses the same fsb...and is perfecrly compatable with the chipset...) kinda shoot the breeze with the guy and try to squeez some knowledge out of him...

If all else fails...you can take your chances like i have said there is a 1 in 10 chance of it not working (based on my estimites)...

Hehe bet ya'll didn't think i knew anything about athlons!

If i put my k6 in a Ferrari it would be faster than your your pentium 4 or Athlon XP :tongue:
 
btw...there is a good chance that the support dude was just giving you the fastest cpu that they sold the pc with...not necissarly the fastest cpu that can be used....

Also what is the model number of your compaq...i could do a litttle research...

If i put my k6 in a Ferrari it would be faster than your your pentium 4 or Athlon XP :tongue:
 
Man, you cleared that question up for me perfectly. Now I know exactly what to ask Compaq next time I talk to them.

I'm not gonna pass up an offer for an experienced pc guy to do research on my PC. :smile: My Compaq model number is 8QSXE1. It's the Presario 8000Z.

Cheers.

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AT&T is the <font color=red>DEVIL</font color=red>!
 
I just talked to a Compaq guy. Same one as last time. Hmmm. Here is the conversation :

Suresh : Hello Mark.
LTJ311 : Hi.
LTJ311 : Again.
Suresh : Welcome to HP Americas Consumer eSupport for Presario products.
Suresh : My name is Suresh. How may I help you?
LTJ311 Cortes : I've been on some forums and some experienced ppl think my mobo might be
compatible with the 2400+ because they have the same fsb as 2000+ and same
chipset.
Suresh - Let me verify, Mark.
Suresh - Please wait for a moment.
LTJ311 - ok
Suresh - Thank y6ou.
LTJ311 - Take your time if you need.
Suresh - Thank you for waiting, Mark.
Suresh - I am afraid that you cannot go for 2400+ processor as it is not compatible with
your Presario.
LTJ311 - What makes it incompatible?
Suresh - The system boards limitation to handle that much speed of processor.
LTJ311 - Meaning I can't change the multipliers in my BIOS?
Suresh - Yes Mark.
LTJ311 - Is there any way to take that restriction off? Or getting a BIOS flash?
Suresh - I am afraid not.
LTJ311 - Hmmm. Ok I guess.
LTJ311 - Thanks for your time.
Suresh - You are welcome.
Suresh - Is there anything else that I can do?
LTJ311 - Well.
LTJ311 - I guess since I have you here.
LTJ311 - I'm planning on upgrading my video card to a Ati Radeon 9800 nonpro. Do you see
a problem with this?
Suresh - Yes Mark.
LTJ311 - Yes there is a problem?
Suresh - You may upgrade to ATI Radeon 9800.
Suresh - May I know what is the problem that you are experiencing?
LTJ311 - Oh. Lol. Phew.
LTJ311 - Problem?
Suresh - I thought that you are experiencing some problem with ATI 9000.
LTJ311 - Ummm. I don't have an Ati 9000.
Suresh - Ok.
LTJ311 - Do you not have my specs?
Suresh - Yes Mark.
Suresh - I have the specification of your Presario.
LTJ311 - What does it say for my graphics card?
Suresh - Your computer came with nVidia graphics card.
Suresh - Am I right?
LTJ311 - Well yes, but can you not be more specific? As to which model nVidia?
Suresh - I am sorry, Mark.
Suresh - I do not have that information.
Suresh - But we can find it.
LTJ311 - Oh.
Suresh - I suggest you click Start, Run.
LTJ311 - That is not necessary.
LTJ311 - Lol, I know what it is.
Suresh - Type DxDiag and press Enter.
LTJ311 - I wanted to see if you knew.
LTJ311 - My computer came with a GeForce 2 MX 400.
Suresh - It is because yours being a Customized To Order model,
Suresh - we do not have that information.
LTJ311 - Even though you have my serial number?
LTJ311 - Shouldn't that say exactly what customized specs I got?
Suresh - I am sorry, Mark.
LTJ311 - So if it doesn't...then how do you know all this supposed info about my
motherboard specs?
Suresh - There are 3 or 4 graphic cards go with your Presario model.
Suresh - I am comparing the Processor speed of 2400+ and 2000+ and providing you the
information.
LTJ311 - Are you 100% positive my motherboard won't support an Athlon Xp2400+?
Suresh - Yes Mark.
LTJ311 - Ok. Thank you.
LTJ311 - That is all.

Sounds fishy to me. But Compaq did f*ck me on the BIOS. I can't mess with anything. And on start-up instead of Bios info it just says COMPAQ in big red letters. Suck.

Is this what's gonna keep me from getting the 2400? Or is there possibly a way to bypass whatever lock Compaq has on the multiplier? Probably too involved for my liking I bet.
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"I'm a rageaholic."
(<i>starts crying</i>)
"I just can't live without rageahol." - Homer Simpson
<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1><EM>Edited by ltj311 on 08/12/03 05:56 AM.</EM></FONT></P>
 
Suresh - There are 3 or 4 graphic cards go with your Presario model.
Suresh - I am comparing the Processor speed of 2400+ and 2000+ and providing you the
information.

Ugh!

I don't understand that line about comparing your system to a 2400...does that mean a version came with a 2400?

I doubt compaq would put in the time to enable a muli lock...that would just be stupid....the multi is auto selected by the cpu no need to enable bios support to run the cpu at stock speed...there are ways to get into compaq bioses...on most i use it is F2...it is sometimes a very strange key...you will have to refer to your manual...however even when you get into the bios...don't expect much...

I am still not understanding the situation...i almost feel like telling ya to call in to ask if your board will support a duron 1300...that uses a 13x multi...if it can support then i would say there is a 99% chance of getting support of a 2400...anyhow i am about to do some research on your board and chipset...lets see what i can find...

If i put my k6 in a Ferrari it would be faster than your your pentium 4 or Athlon XP :tongue:
 
Ok...i did a little snooping...i have never seen this computer reviewed with a cpu higher than an 1800+....i think i saw maybe 1 review with the 1900+ cpu...This is leading me to beleive that probably 2000+ is the highest cpu that compaq ever used...that would have proably been on the ultra high end 3000$ model...

Through reading the reiviews...and looking at the computer's configuration at the time...i am under the impression that this was a near top of the line system for the time...i doubt they cut THAT many corners....

Since you have not been able to get a clear answer from compaq (that service guy sounded pretty bogus IMO...) i think you have good chances of getting a 2400+ to work...of course there is no way for me to be positive...

If you have a local parts dealer in your area...you could try asking them if they would let you see if the 2400+ would work...if they are a nice dealer they will let you try and then buy...

ultimatly the question is do you want to take the chance?

And i cannot help you with that 1...thats totally your decision...

If i put my k6 in a Ferrari it would be faster than your your pentium 4 or Athlon XP :tongue:
 
Well, pIII_man, I really appreciate all your help. You went above and beyond anything I expected and for that I am greatful.

Unless I have to unlock the multiplier on my motherboard, then there is a chance I'll get the 2400. It realy sucks I can't get a straight answer from compaq. I just don't believe that guy. I guess my next job is to find out if the Duron 1300 would fit in my mobo.

Again thanks for all your help.

--

"I'm a rageaholic."
(<i>starts crying</i>)
"I just can't live without rageahol." - Homer Simpson
 
ok i have done a little reserch on how the multiplyer is implimented on amd cpus...you can have a look <A HREF="http://www.beachlink.com/candjac/Workarounds.htm" target="_new">here</A>...although not a pretty site...it has good information...

I have been lead to beleive that unless you are physically changing the multiplyers (in other words, overclocking) the mobo will be forced to go with what the cpu is writen to do (via bits dictated by 5 diffrent open or closed circuts)...which leads me to tell you with confidence that the mobo does do nothing in the multiplyer selection...the only job of the mobo that relates to cpu speed is the fsb...which i can confidently tell you will be supported...

So now i will say with quite a bit of confidence that your mobo should support the 13x and beyond multiplyers...the cpu will probably be detected as some unknow cpu running at 2ghz...but never the less it will perform like a athlon 2400+... so i say if you have the coin go for the 2200+ or 2400+...Also if you want an even faster CPU look to the athlon MP series...although Multiprocessing enabled...if you are willing to dish out the dough i beleive all MP's use the 266mhz bus and are fully compatable with XP boards (although if you have the dough and want such a fast cpu then you would be better off just getting a new board)...

Ok so a recap...i think that your board will support the 2400+...or any cpu with a 13x or greater multi...

Nice talking to you and please post back with your results!

If i put my k6 in a Ferrari it would be faster than your your pentium 4 or Athlon XP :tongue:
 
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