Finding the Right CPU and Fan for New Motherboard

[rennatnave101]

For starters, I have no experience with this stuff yet, so if I'm asking a stupid question or my logic is a bit skewed, that is why. If you can handle that, then your help would be much appreciated.

So this is my problem. Several years ago, the house was struck by lightning and it fried my old computer (eMachines T6410). After the strike, the computer wouldn't turn on at all. Pressing the power button did nothing; no fans, no lights, no sounds at all. The only sign of life was the little green LED on the motherboard itself.

I checked the PSU, and that was (somehow miraculously) fine. The HDDs were all fine, and I checked the switch several times. Tried pulling out the RAM, disconnecting the disk drive, and removing the CPU. No luck. So, I decided it had to be the motherboard.

Unfortunately, no one makes the original motherboard for the machine. I was able to buy one that fit the case (several sources confirmed that it was "compatible").
http://www.ebay.com/itm/130781249351
Sure enough, it fits. However, the CPU does not!

Just to make sure, I hooked up the power and one fan, and pressed the switch. Low and behold, the fans spun up and (what I assume to be) the on-board graphics and speaker started to make all sorts of awful noises.

Anyway, I need to find a CPU and Cooling Fan / Heat Sink to fit this computer. I did some research, which now has me looking for "64-bit AMD Athlon 64 Socket 754 processors," but I would really like to make sure I have the right thing. This little experiment with this old computer makes no economical sense to begin with, but I would like to avoid buying hardware that will not fit.

Can someone point me in the right direction? If you need more information, say the word. Thanks.

 

[nukemaster]

get the model number of your current cpu and plug that sucker into Google. This will give you an idea of what you have.

The socket on the board will be labeled.

AMD released various Athlon 64 3200+ cpus. 2 of them on Socket 754 and one on Socket 939 that I know of(EMachines may have swapped to 939 on newer models of the same system.). Those are very old platforms(754 never even had multi-core cpus). It may be a better option to get a newer system and get your files copied over(new boards may not have IDE ports if your drive is IDE, but adapters can be bought or a shop can perform the copy.).

I am recommending this because such an old system may have other parts ready to fail at some point(I still have 2 754 system, but they get nearly no use anymore). Always have backup copies of your files since anything can fail.

 

[rennatnave101]

get the model number of your current cpu and plug that sucker into Google. This will give you an idea of what you have.

The socket on the board will be labeled.

AMD released various Athlon 64 3200+ cpus. 2 of them on Socket 754 and one on Socket 939 that I know of(EMachines may have swapped to 939 on newer models of the same system.). Those are very old platforms(754 never even had multi-core cpus). It may be a better option to get a newer system and get your files copied over(new boards may not have IDE ports if your drive is IDE, but adapters can be bought or a shop can perform the copy.).

I am recommending this because such an old system may have other parts ready to fail at some point(I still have 2 754 system, but they get nearly no use anymore). Always have backup copies of your files since anything can fail.

Well, I have several other working computers that are much newer than this one. Fixing this computer is more of a challenge than common sense because I have struggled with it for so long. I'm not really looking to replace it; there's nothing to replace.

The socket says "Socket 754," so that answers that question. My google search into "64-bit AMD Athlon 64 Socket 754 processors" found this:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/AMD-Athlon-64-2800-1-8-GHz-ADA2800AEP4AP-CPU-Processor-with-HEATSINK-and-FAN-/371605798785?_trksid=p2349526.m2548.l4275
I can't really tell just by the picture if that would fit the heatsink "slot" on my motherboard, or if that is even the right thing. I took a picture of the socket:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BxD81fx8ZSUDVTZjaXl4cThjRjQ/view?usp=sharing

Thanks for the quick reply by the way.

 

[nukemaster]

If the old heatsink used the same AMD mounting setup(clip on either side with a locking cam to apply pressure), then yes it should fit. AMD while changing the number of holes in the board , kept the mounting system the same for most cpus. Aftermarket coolers may be slightly different, but most use the stock clips as well.

All 754 cpus should work, the 754 boards had a rather short run because they quickly moved from 754(mainstream) and 940(high end FX series) to a single new socket(939)

 

[rennatnave101]

If the old heatsink used the same AMD mounting setup(clip on either side with a locking cam to apply pressure), then yes it should fit. AMD while changing the number of holes in the board , kept the mounting system the same for most cpus. Aftermarket coolers may be slightly different, but most use the stock clips as well.

All 754 cpus should work, the 754 boards had a rather short run because they quickly moved from 754(mainstream) and 940(high end FX series) to a single new socket(939)

Okay, I'll probably buy it then. However, the mounting from the old motherboard I know for sure will not work. It just doesn't fit. The old motherboard had some rail-like prongs that stuck up from the plastic which surrounded the socket, and the... locking cam?... fit into those rails. It will not fit into the new one, I just tried, and tried every orientation I could think of too.

I suppose I should have shown the old motherboard. It is this:
http://www.ebay.com/p/Intel-D865GLC-Socket-478-Motherboard/74129247

 

[nukemaster]

Those are nothing alike at all. One is Intel and one is AMD. Those cpu coolers are simply not interchangeable at all(Way back in the Pentium 3 and maybe some early Pentium 4's days you could swap coolers and even swap cpus at one point[even older]. Some aftermarket coolers had the parts to mount on either, but these may or may not be as easy to fine.

I would like to point out that trying to run Windows with such a different system will have a 50/50 chance to generate a blue screen crash error. Windows(would guess XP or Vista) just does not like swapping so much hardware.

So yeah you will need a cooler. Just make sure it is good for the amount of heat your cpu will produce(your ebay link lists coming with a cooler already).

 

[rennatnave101]

Those are nothing alike at all. One is Intel and one is AMD. Those cpu coolers are simply not interchangeable at all(Way back in the Pentium 3 and maybe some early Pentium 4's days you could swap coolers and even swap cpus at one point[even older]. Some aftermarket coolers had the parts to mount on either, but these may or may not be as easy to fine.

I would like to point out that trying to run Windows with such a different system will have a 50/50 chance to generate a blue screen crash error. Windows(would guess XP or Vista) just does not like swapping so much hardware.

So yeah you will need a cooler. Just make sure it is good for the amount of heat your cpu will produce(your ebay link lists coming with a cooler already).

Right, I understand. The listing does not say whether it comes with a way to mount it or not. Perhaps that is just something I will have to figure out myself.

Also, it is interesting, the "old" motherboard in the machine was actually not the original motherboard. This new one I have bought is really the third one that has been in the machine. The original one was replaced when it failed for an unknown reason. In fact, on the front of the case, it says that the computer runs on AMD 64 Athlon, so this new chip is probably better suited for this computer than the Intel was.

Anyway, I may buy the listing, but I'll do some more looking to see if there is a better deal / something that expressly states it will mount with the socket. Thanks for your help!

 

[nukemaster]

I still have my S754 mounting hardware(used an aftermarket cooler that required removal of it).

I am almost sure I clipped an AM3+ cpu onto it without issues.

I will try to dig it up to confirm.

AMD has been very good at making heatsinks work on newer and older cpus(as long as the rated wattage was not exceeded)

I used older 125 watt AMD coolers on 95 and lower watt chips just to lower the fan speed and noise.

 

[rennatnave101]

I still have my S754 mounting hardware(used an aftermarket cooler that required removal of it).

I am almost sure I clipped an AM3+ cpu onto it without issues.

I will try to dig it up to confirm.

AMD has been very good at making heatsinks work on newer and older cpus(as long as the rated wattage was not exceeded)

I used older 125 watt AMD coolers on 95 and lower watt chips just to lower the fan speed and noise.

Great! Thanks for going out of your way, I really appreciate it.

Let's see if I've followed you so far. It sounds to me like any AMD 64 Athlon socket 754 cpu will do, but finding the right heatsink and mounting for it will be the real challenge. If you do manage to find the mounting for it, hopefully it will help me to find the right thing myself.

 

[nukemaster]

I think finding a heatsink should be fairly easy.

AMD has kept the same mounting system for years. They did change the board hole layout and sockets, but the clip location for stock coolers has stayed the same(not AM1 those have a different mounting system).

Coolers that use the holes in the board would be an issue because 754 only has 2 screws while newer ones have 4. Anything that uses the stock clip should be fine.

The ebay listing you posted lists AMD Athlon 64 2800+ 1.8 GHz (ADA2800AEP4AP) CPU Processor with HEATSINK and FAN so it should have one included, you may need thermal paste since the cooler is most likely used.

 

[rennatnave101]

I think finding a heatsink should be fairly easy.

AMD has kept the same mounting system for years. They did change the board hole layout and sockets, but the clip location for stock coolers has stayed the same(not AM1 those have a different mounting system).

Coolers that use the holes in the board would be an issue because 754 only has 2 screws while newer ones have 4. Anything that uses the stock clip should be fine.

The ebay listing you posted lists AMD Athlon 64 2800+ 1.8 GHz (ADA2800AEP4AP) CPU Processor with HEATSINK and FAN so it should have one included, you may need thermal paste since the cooler is most likely used.

Okay, great! I'll do some more looking... it looks like the stock clip would be the easiest way to go. Buying the processor and the heatsink separately may actually be a bit cheaper, compared to the cost of that eBay link. Or is that not recommended? A lot of things say they are compatible, but is there any inherent danger in buying the CPU and the heatsink/fan separately?

 

[nukemaster]

Just make sure the cooler is rated for the cpu power output. I do not think any 754 cpus exceeded 89 watts as a rating.

Some 95 watt parts come with what I would not call a great cpu cooler, but it should still work. If you can get the coolers for hotter cpus they will work that much better. I do not have any of those left so can not take a comparison shot or anything, but hey Google it is.

More fins a heatpipes. These are used on hotter chips(well they have an even newer cooler now, but these work well on cooler cpus and are not great on the hot ones they are made for).
Image from techreport

What they include with cooler 95 watt and lower parts. They have some even cheaper ones from what I hear, but I have not come across them. It is even more basic than the one that the old 754 cpus came with.

 

[rennatnave101]

Just make sure the cooler is rated for the cpu power output. I do not think any 754 cpus exceeded 89 watts as a rating...

Okay, they shouldn't be too hard to find then. I'm not looking for anything crazy powerful; just something reliable and preferably not too expensive, as this is really more of a hobby/interest computer than anything else.

Thanks once again for all of your assistance! You always explained things well and you answered all of my questions!