Greetings!!
I've been lurking here for a while and this is my 1st post. I plan to build several systems later this year and been updating my knowledge which is 10 years old. I've assembled my own computers in the past- but that was 10 years ago. I recently did some upgrades to my HP - Maxed out processor to Phenom II X4 3.0 ghz 945 95 watt , maxed ram to 8gb and win7 64 with research from here. This has made my computer at least usable (non-gamer- just home/school use). Much thanks to this board.
Now for my current issue- I'm trying to upgrade a similar system for a friend. (Home use-Non Gamer- )
Current system is a Dell Inspiron 546 (MT?)
Current System:
AMD Athlon II X2 240 ( 2.8 ghz,)
4 Gb Ram,
Win 7 64bit.
(Note: I haven't looked physically inside the case yet to confirm the motherboard- but assume for now it is the one listed below)
Motherboard is (Dell) 0F896N - a faster processor can be inserted with the latest Bios noted on different forums in my research
http://www.findlaptopdriver.com/specs-f896n-dell/
I plan on adding more ram (DDR2)but having difficulty understanding my best option for the processor (95W).
I highly suspect I can add an Phenom X4 945 Deneb 3.0 Ghz (95W)- but did they stop making these?? The price is WAY to high ($249 Amazon) and hard to find. (this has 6 Mb L3 Cache- how much of a difference does L3 cache make??) This would be my 1st choice though. Someone know of a more affordable option (most places sold out)
2nd Option- Athlon II X4 640 3.0 Ghz (95W)- But no L3 cache-- how does this compare speed wise compared to option one? These are readily available for about $80-$90.
3rd Option-- Athlon II x3 460 3.4 Ghz (95W)- one less processor - but faster - is this maybe better somehow??
Thanks for any tips/ explanations
One side note question-- If I get a cheap/basic graphics card $40-$50 - will this take part of the "load" off the CPU making it more efficient / increasing overall faster response time?
Thanks again- Steve
I've been lurking here for a while and this is my 1st post. I plan to build several systems later this year and been updating my knowledge which is 10 years old. I've assembled my own computers in the past- but that was 10 years ago. I recently did some upgrades to my HP - Maxed out processor to Phenom II X4 3.0 ghz 945 95 watt , maxed ram to 8gb and win7 64 with research from here. This has made my computer at least usable (non-gamer- just home/school use). Much thanks to this board.
Now for my current issue- I'm trying to upgrade a similar system for a friend. (Home use-Non Gamer- )
Current system is a Dell Inspiron 546 (MT?)
Current System:
AMD Athlon II X2 240 ( 2.8 ghz,)
4 Gb Ram,
Win 7 64bit.
(Note: I haven't looked physically inside the case yet to confirm the motherboard- but assume for now it is the one listed below)
Motherboard is (Dell) 0F896N - a faster processor can be inserted with the latest Bios noted on different forums in my research
http://www.findlaptopdriver.com/specs-f896n-dell/
I plan on adding more ram (DDR2)but having difficulty understanding my best option for the processor (95W).
I highly suspect I can add an Phenom X4 945 Deneb 3.0 Ghz (95W)- but did they stop making these?? The price is WAY to high ($249 Amazon) and hard to find. (this has 6 Mb L3 Cache- how much of a difference does L3 cache make??) This would be my 1st choice though. Someone know of a more affordable option (most places sold out)
2nd Option- Athlon II X4 640 3.0 Ghz (95W)- But no L3 cache-- how does this compare speed wise compared to option one? These are readily available for about $80-$90.
3rd Option-- Athlon II x3 460 3.4 Ghz (95W)- one less processor - but faster - is this maybe better somehow??
Thanks for any tips/ explanations
One side note question-- If I get a cheap/basic graphics card $40-$50 - will this take part of the "load" off the CPU making it more efficient / increasing overall faster response time?
Thanks again- Steve