Help upgrading my CPU/Video

[Diamond-HP]

TBH that was part of the challenge, I quite like the case and my PC plus it's already paid for, if I had given up on the case I may as well had given up on the Mobo and basically started from scratch but after the upgrades we've come up with that would have just been even more $$$£££.

Compared to my initial expectancy of the limitations I'd be facing plus the average reaction of hardcore gamers to OEC's (basically "get rid") I'm over the bloody moon with the results numbers wise.

I know with a big case the freedom of choice is a lot more ..... but where's the fun in that?

I'll come back once this has been done and give a report.

 

[Diamond-HP]

Just a quick update on the worry over cables being to long for smaller towers like mine.

The Corsair CX600 has all the cables built in and there is quite a few enough to worry me actually but ..... the newer CX600M does not.

It's modular so the cables are fitted separate and you use only the ones you need, saves a bunch of space, so just a tip if anyone reads this who had space issues like I did.

 

[Diamond-HP]

Hi I have all my components now that I listed above and am about to do the installing on Tues but had a slight concern before I start with regards to my PC accepting the CPU.

I've had a look at my Bios options and there is no Bios update available, this is from my product HP support page.

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/softwareCategory?os=4063&lc=en&cc=uk&dlc=en&sw_lang=&product=5227647

Also in my Bios options it's not got anything for turning off integrated graphics even if I were to use my GPU crossed with an APU.

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=c03084248&tmp_task=useCategory&cc=uk&dlc=en&lc=en&os=4063&product=5227647&sw_lang=

HP tend to have limited or locked bios hence my concern, I could get lucky or not so bit of a concern.

 

[clutchc]

The first thing I would do, is pop in the new CPU/cooler and boot up.

1) If the existing BIOS recognizes the new CPU, you will get a display and probably a message saying to enter BIOS to make changes if necessary. There shouldn't be any changes to make, so you'll just exit without saving. Booting to Windows will then entail the O/S recognizing the new processor and loading the correct driver. After which you will be asked to re-boot.

2) If the existing BIOS doesn't recognize the CPU, you will have to put the old one back in and do a BIOS update. But I'm betting the BIOS will recognize the CPU fine.

 

[Diamond-HP]

Hi clutchc.

How would I do a Bios update though? HP does not have a Bios update listed, this is a quote I found from a HP forum.

"It appears HP hasn't released a BIOS update for the AAHD2-HY (Holly) motherboard in your computer and therefore no BIOS download is available. Your best bet is to contact HP Customer Support in the UK via telephone, chat, or email and request they provide you a link to or download of the original or an updated BIOS for your computer."

I will try the CPU any way but guess this is a plan B prep.

 

[clutchc]

Yeah, I see what you mean. Well, too late to worry about that now. If the CPU isn't recognized, you have two choices. Return it or get a new board. Of course, you can try the phone call/chat attempt. Let's be optimistic though.

 

[Wisecracker]

BIOSs in OEM builds tend to be dumb.

As long as the CPU is pin-compatible, and meets the voltage requirements, it will likely boot and run properly.

The CPU may be properly identified, or it may simply run as an *unknown processor* at spec speeds

 

[Diamond-HP]

Lol thanks guy's my mood is a bit more optimistic now but also I've made a good alternative plan that should only cost £35 if it all goes wrong.

I'm keeping the CPU because the Athlon ramps OC wise to 3.4 Ghz quad core which is where I wanted to be so I'll just make it work as it wasn't too expensive.

Getting a new Motherboard I wouldn't really want an FM1 socket I'd have wanted a new gen (FM2 etc) but the cost would have spiralled, new MB, new more $$$ CPU, if it fails I'll just get a cheap FM1 replacement MB as I already have all the parts for it otherwise cost is gonna get silly.

I'll post back Tues/Wed and give you the news (fingers crossed).

 

[Diamond-HP]

Hi guy's I've just come back from my cousin's who helped me put in all the components and .............

Not one issue at all! it went smoother than a marble work top, so pleased, didn't need the Bios for anything, the GPU took and operated straight away, not one blue screen or even a flicker when I put the new CPU in and it's named and registered in the system properties.

My Graphics points on Windows is currently at 7.9 without overclocking done.

The only half issue which actually turned into a benefit was that the Athlon's heat sink fan needed latches to fit and we only had screw ports so I ended up resinking and using the HP stock fan however my original fan is quite a bit bigger than the AMD fan any way so it'll probably cool better, pretty decent space in there as well only fitting the PSU next to the DVD writer was close but still fitted.

I am very happy with the results and have to say a massive THANK YOU to Clutchc in particular as he has helped me every step of the way on here and through PM, Clucth your an absolute LEGEND.

All I need to do now is delve into OC'ing which I don't think I can do through the Bios but Clucthc has shown me a couple of applications one from AMD official that may allow it to be done through Windows without the Bios direct.

............ So all done, all working, zero Bios rejection of CPU or GPU.

I can now enjoy my fully upgraded original HP manufacture PC in a Mini Tower.

Thanks Cluthc and co, won't forget it.

 

[clutchc]

Congrats on a job well done. Post a pic when you have time. And thanks for the undeserved compliment. Keep your eye on the CPU temps for awhile until you're sure the other cooler is doing the job. And when you try O/C'ing, you may want to get an aftermarket cooler if you have room. But from the description of your MB, it sounds like you have one of those Pegatron boards without the AMD retention brackets. That will make buying an aftermarket cooler a challenge.

 

[Diamond-HP]

Pics up in 5mins

 

[Diamond-HP]

Here we are ...... Sorry technical difficulties trying to find how to upload

 

[Diamond-HP]

Where's the option to upload?

 

[Diamond-HP]

Ok this should work.

One sec let me resize these giant photo's

 

[Diamond-HP]

I'm using CoreTemp and HWMonitor to measure temp.

CPU is between 0c - 16c max

GPU is 33c

At the moment.

 

[clutchc]

I'm using CoreTemp and HWMonitor to measure temp.

CPU is between 0c - 16c max

GPU is 33c

At the moment.

Those are good temps. Especially in that small-ish HP case. Looks like you did a good job of squeezing the new PSU and HD 7850 into place. I don't see any probs with air flow. Were those temps with the side panel back on?

 

[Diamond-HP]

Yeah my max temp tonight has been 38c whilst I was doing a full system antivirus sweep, yes that was with the case, will check it with a game shortly.

As you said with those screws on the heatsink fan (you can see them in the pic) finding a better fan may be an issue so hope the temps stay below 60c / 50c when being pushed so I can OC.

We did some pretty tidy cable management and cable tied most if not all in the open bay below the DVD writer, lucky it was empty as the Sapphire GPU reaches slightly into that space.

Yes at idle it's very low temps 11c or less being the average, in the old set up like in the pic in this thread there was only one fan ..... now there are 4, 2 on GPU, 1 on PSU and the heatsink so hoping that will suffice.

 

[Diamond-HP]

In game temp report.

CPU = 26c

GPU = 48c

Graphics set to ultra on all details, looked amazing compared to what it was.

 

[clutchc]

In game temp report.

CPU = 26c

GPU = 48c

Graphics set to ultra on all details, looked amazing compared to what it was.

Ain't it great!!

 

[Diamond-HP]

Been dabbling in over clocking for the final stage of my refit in spite of the Bios lock using Fusion Tweaker for my Athlon, after a good start going from 3Ghz to 3.2Ghz I then jumped to 3.5Ghz and got a couple of screen freezes whilst running the stress test but thankfully it just needed a nudge with the voltage, for any one who's interested on my wrap up of my upgrade here are some last photo's of results and scores.

My last stress test in progress.

The results of the test after maxing out at 3.5Ghz

My final standing 3.5Ghz setting and idle average of 10c.

My score on Windows (Hell of a lot better than it was is an understatement)

So I'm going to leave it at 3.5Ghz 4x core as it maxed up to 50c under constant stress so that should be safe, think I could reach 3.7 if I needed to but the numbers would start climbing, Windows scores are CPU 7.4 and GPU 7.9.

All in all I've achieved way more than I hoped for at the start of this thread, thanks again.

 

[clutchc]

You need to post pics that can be clicked on and enlarged. Good job on the O/C with that crippled BIOS.

 

[Diamond-HP]

Yes but after our little chat I may scale back one to 3.4Ghz.

I tried the IntelBurner like you said and that maxed me to 67c.

I tried the highest stress test from Prime96 and it topped at 64c

So I'm going to nudge the volts down one, if that freezes the screen I'll have to pull back to 3.4Ghz so we'll see.

Just tried again same settings, did better it got to stage 4 of 10 on IntelBurn at 63c but then coming half way (5/10 stage) it apprached 67c again and basically my Heatsink fan starts going a bit ape.

Will try once more with a nudge down in volts otherwise 3.4Ghz it will be.

 

[Diamond-HP]

Christ that IntelBurner is a ball breaker but after sweating on a few occasions it got to stage 10 and flashed that I passed and was stable although it booted my temp to 67c on a few occasions which is when my fan let's me know about it.

However most time was spent at 60-63c on IntelB and lower on Prime69 test around 59c.

I am able (just) to keep my 3.5Ghz but I knocked the voltage down to 1.48 not 1.5 like in the above test pic.

 

[clutchc]

67C should be within safe limits on the Athlon II X4 651K. It's not like you will be running that temp continuously. But I wouldn't overdo it until you find a way to put a good cooler with serious heat pipes on the processor. You may want to save up for a new board next if that's what it will take. Then you can use the multiplier like normal.

 

[Diamond-HP]

TBH I'd be happy enough at 3.4Ghz quad so to be able to get away with 3.5Ghz at stock fan is a bonus.

If I get anything as you say it will be a new After market cooler and I have seen a couple with screws just need to insure the measurements but for now I think I'm stable and passed the standard IntelBurn test and the Prime95's higher stress test.

How much I see high end temps during games will decide for me if getting a new fan will be sooner rather than later but my stock one is pretty big compared to the one that came with the Athlon and managed to get me down from 67c to 62c quickly everytime of asking.

Not going to get a new mobo, as I've managed to by pass all the restrictions of my Bios a new FM1 mobo isn't going to offer me much more other than latches for new fans instead of set screws, I'll find a screw in fan if it's needed somewhere I'm sure.

Getting a new mobo will be my next future upgrade (Next Gen socket Mobo, CPU & Heatsink fan) but I'll be a good few years wiser when I do that.

Speaking of wiser how would I identify any bottlenecks between my GPU and CPU? what should I be looking out for?

Found this which Temile's post in particular seemed helpful, sounds accurate?

http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/forum/360360-15-bottleneck