Computer CPU upgrade

[subway6us]

Hi, this is my first post to this site, and i just recently upgraded my computer with a lot of things...

I bought a cheap $300 Emachine a long time ago, and now I am upgrading it.

http://www.emachines.com/ec/en/US/content/model/PT.NCG02.002

Anyway, I upgraded it with a 650 watt power supply and a brand new GTX560 (non-ti) and now I have it bottlenecking with a bad processor... I am not sure, but I think the motherboard only supports 95watt CPU thingy, and I was wondering what the best processor that is 95 watts would go best and not bottleneck my GTX560... And also I am not sure if the Max ram on the motherboard is 4 gb or 8 gb... I can't tell...

http://www.computerlx.com/product_view.aspx?product_ID=2098

^ that site says that it supports 8 gigs, but I think i read somewhere that it only supports 4 gigs... If someone could please help if it is 4 or 8 gigs, and what processor i should get, that would be SO much more helpful... I've been doing tons of research and this is my first build... And I don't want to mess anything up... Sorry if I don't make any sense right now but I am really tired and its 9AM and I haven't slept yet... gah.

Edit: I have a DA061L-3D Motherboard windows 7 64 bit

also my budget is about $150, or maybe even a little higher if i can scrape up enough money.. basically anything under $200 from Newegg

Also: If I can use 8gb ram, should I get this?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=20-231-314&SortField=0&SummaryType=0&Pagesize=10&PurchaseMark=true&SelectedRating=-1&VideoOnlyMark=False&VendorMark=&IsFeedbackTab=true&Page=3#scrollFullInfo

This is my video card I got from newegg, just in case you need to see if it will go good with a cpu because i dont want it to bottleneck:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=14-130-660&SortField=0&SummaryType=0&Pagesize=10&PurchaseMark=true&SelectedRating=-1&VideoOnlyMark=False&VendorMark=&IsFeedbackTab=true&chkPurchaseMark=on&Keywords=%28keywords%29&Page=1#scrollFullInfo

 

[Komomu]

hmm can you use cpuz and tell us the model of the motherboard? I can't seem to find it anywhere

 

[abekl]

Emachines says right on that model's web page that it only supports 4 GB.

 

[djscribbles]

Emachines says right on that model's web page that it only supports 4 GB.

They have to state it that way with a 32bit OS on board, it doesn't mean that it's a limitation of the motherboard.

If you don't have a 64bit OS though, more than 4 gigs isn't going to do anything, regardless of motherboard support.


We'll need to know the motherboard model to confirm extra memory support and to determine what CPU you can get. Luckily, AMD hasn't physically changed sockets for a very long time, so you may be able to get an updated BIOS (depending on the mobo again) to support a more powerful CPU such as a Phenom2 and maybe an FX series.

 

[Tremec]

Says 95w Athlon II up to x4 is compatible

 

[megamanx00]

@DjScribbles - actually AM3+ CPUs will not fit in AM3 boards. One pin difference. To have made AM3+ CPUs backwards compatible Bulldozer performance would have ended up even worse, so yeah new socket.

Anyway the best you can do is a 95W Phenom II and the fastest one was the 95W 955 C3. You need to check with e-machines though to see exactly what CPUs are supported in their last BIOS update. You may only be able to go up to an 840 or something

 

[djscribbles]

@DjScribbles - actually AM3+ CPUs will not fit in AM3 boards. One pin difference. To have made AM3+ CPUs backwards compatible Bulldozer performance would have ended up even worse, so yeah new socket.

Thanks for the fact check, wasn't sure about the FX since I haven't really followed it; good to know.

 

[subway6us]

They have to state it that way with a 32bit OS on board, it doesn't mean that it's a limitation of the motherboard.

If you don't have a 64bit OS though, more than 4 gigs isn't going to do anything, regardless of motherboard support.


We'll need to know the motherboard model to confirm extra memory support and to determine what CPU you can get. Luckily, AMD hasn't physically changed sockets for a very long time, so you may be able to get an updated BIOS (depending on the mobo again) to support a more powerful CPU such as a Phenom2 and maybe an FX series.

I have windows 7 64 bit, so I can use 8 gigs? 😀

 

[subway6us]

@DjScribbles - actually AM3+ CPUs will not fit in AM3 boards. One pin difference. To have made AM3+ CPUs backwards compatible Bulldozer performance would have ended up even worse, so yeah new socket.

Anyway the best you can do is a 95W Phenom II and the fastest one was the 95W 955 C3. You need to check with e-machines though to see exactly what CPUs are supported in their last BIOS update. You may only be able to go up to an 840 or something

Are you sure? Is that the best? And will it bottleneck my GTX 560? :c

 

[djscribbles]

I have windows 7 64 bit, so I can use 8 gigs? 😀

You have to figure out what motherboard you have and what it supports. All of the above is speculation dancing around under the assumption that your motherboard will support upgrades.

If the mobo they used is some 1 off model just for emachines and is incapable of addressing 4GB sticks of ram, and with no BIOS updates beyond what was available at the time it was made, then your upgrade options may be limited beyond what was discussed.

We'll help you figure out what you can do once we know what you've got to work with

 

[subway6us]

You have to figure out what motherboard you have and what it supports. All of the above is speculation dancing around under the assumption that your motherboard will support upgrades.

If the mobo they used is some 1 off model just for emachines and is incapable of addressing 4GB sticks of ram, and with no BIOS updates beyond what was available at the time it was made, then your upgrade options may be limited beyond what was discussed.

We'll help you figure out what you can do once we know what you've got to work with

I think I have found the best processor

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103871

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cRjZcxQ_hgI

The youtube video shows the same specs about and it seems to be running fine, so I don't think it will bottleneck, and
I am sure that it will fit with my motherboard... I hope. And I will also be going with 2x 4gb of ram... If I can't use 8 gb then I will use only one stick and use it as a backup 😀

Thanks

 

[subway6us]

Best answer selected by subway6us.

 

[djscribbles]

Your motherboard may not support any new CPU; if you figure out what motherboard you have (Use CPUz as Komomu suggested, or open up your case and look for model numbers), we can a: Determine if that processor is supported b: Determine if you can get a better performing one for the money (such as a phenom2)

If your mobo won't support the processor, you are simply throwing away about 30-40bucks after shipping and restocking fees to return it. OEM mobos like the one you have won't neccessarily have any more support than is required for them to sell you the PC.

 

[Ne0Wolf7]

Just because I'm too lazy to read what the rest of you said, and I'm in the same boat as the poster, with a 64 bit os, you can have up to 8gb dual channel memory. The socket is a AM3, up to 95 watts.
Your RAM wont fit, you need this, made specifically for the machine- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIAAFJ43D7586&ignorebbr=1 .
The processor it comes with inst bad, maybe overclock it.