Looking to upgrade a processor.

[Deemo13]

Hey community,

So I've got an Acer Aspire 1301 custom build that I am doing and I would like to see if I could get a nicer processor than what is currently in the computer. I'm pretty sure the socket is AM3, but I am confused because it runs on DDR2 RAM.

I am not looking to upgrade the board on any conditions.

I was looking at an Athlon II X3 of some sort. I'm looking to play some light gaming on it and alot of watching videos. The processor in it right now is an Athlon X2 215, which is somewhat slow, but I am content with it in there right now.

Here are my system specs:

CPU: Athlon II X2 215 2.7GHz
Mobo: Stock Acer AM3
GPU: Sapphire Radeon 6670 1GB GDDR5
RAM: 4GB DDR2-800
CPU Cooler: Stock Acer
Boot drive:Western Digital Caviar SE 320GB
Case: BitFenix Prodigy Arctic White: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811345017
Optical drives: Lite-on SATA DVD-RW
PSU: Antec Earthwatts EA-380D
OS: Win7 Home Premium 64-bit
Network: Netgear Wireless USB Adapter-300MB/s
Display: Magnavox TV"

It is also going to have a Happague TV tuner placed in it. My new Prodigy case is not here yet, and it will be here tomorrow. My plan is to use this computer in college for most of my light gaming, and anything that requires heavier gaming I can use my gaming rig. The dorm I am staying in has a pretty old power system. This computer will most likely be on more than off.

EDIT: I was looking at the Athlon II X3 450, but if you guys have any other suggestions that would be awesome. Price within reason is great. I dont care when I have to buy it.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103886

 

[rds1220]

Hey community,

So I've got an Acer Aspire 1301 custom build that I am doing and I would like to see if I could get a nicer processor than what is currently in the computer. I'm pretty sure the socket is AM3, but I am confused because it runs on DDR2 RAM.

I am not looking to upgrade the board on any conditions.

I was looking at an Athlon II X3 of some sort. I'm looking to play some light gaming on it and alot of watching videos. The processor in it right now is an Athlon X2 215, which is somewhat slow, but I am content with it in there right now.

Here are my system specs:

CPU: Athlon II X2 215 2.7GHz
Mobo: Stock Acer AM3
GPU: Sapphire Radeon 6670 1GB GDDR5
RAM: 4GB DDR2-800
CPU Cooler: Stock Acer
Boot drive:Western Digital Caviar SE 320GB
Case: BitFenix Prodigy Arctic White: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811345017
Optical drives: Lite-on SATA DVD-RW
PSU: Antec Earthwatts EA-380D
OS: Win7 Home Premium 64-bit
Network: Netgear Wireless USB Adapter-300MB/s
Display: Magnavox TV"

It is also going to have a Happague TV tuner placed in it. My new Prodigy case is not here yet, and it will be here tomorrow. My plan is to use this computer in college for most of my light gaming, and anything that requires heavier gaming I can use my gaming rig. The dorm I am staying in has a pretty old power system. This computer will most likely be on more than off.

EDIT: I was looking at the Athlon II X3 450, but if you guys have any other suggestions that would be awesome. Price within reason is great. I dont care when I have to buy it.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103886

If you don't want to get a new motherboard I really don't think it's worth putting money into it. Getting another Athlon really isn't an updrade and most of the hardware is old now. The only thing I would keep is the video card other than that I would start thinking of getting a new computer. The hard drive is pretty small and if it's IDE that makes it even worse, DDR2 is do-able but it's getting to the point of being obsolete soon especially since they are talking about DDR4 RAM being made.

 

[Deemo13]

My goal for this computer is to make something to record TV and play some light games like LoL and some really basic games that dont take up that much space. When I have to play something else (BF3 for example) I've got the computer for it.

I just dont think my roommate will appreciate the heat and noise generated by my reference 6950, which is quite so. This is the reason for the upgrade. If he really hates the noise, I am going to replace the reference fan on the 6950, because it sounds like a jet.

The motherboard comes with a PCIe X1 and a PCIe X16, which is perfect for my needs, as I have a slot for my graphics card and the TV tuner to fit in the computer.

Also, if my motherboard does not fit, I will be willing to upgrade it, probably to a H61 board with a Pentium, but I'd really like the TV tuner and the 6670 on it. As of now, I am not sure it fits; I'm going off of assumption and luck.

All of the interface is SATA on it right now.

 

[rds1220]

O well I guess in that case a slight upgrade would be ok.

 

[lordofdeath242]

amd a8 apu's and mobo's are relatevly cheap and stand to get alot cheaper in the next few months when a10 trinitys with fm2 sockets come out. $150 for mobo apu combo now even, let u use ram at 1600 at least if u wanna upgrade and can crossfire with your 6650,, won't be as obselete as your machine is now

 

[rds1220]

Yea and you can do do a cheap Pentium or I3 build too and have better performance but he doesn't want to do a new build.

 

[Deemo13]

If it ends up that I do end up having to do a new build, I will probably end up going and getting a h61 chipset mobo with a G530, which are very good chips, or I may jump to the G630. Thats only if the motherboard doesnt fit.

I dont really mind using the processor I have now. It runs LoL fine and smoothly. I wont be playing much else on it.

 

[clutchc]

Without more information about the motherboard in your system, it's not 100% certain that you can move up to any Athlon II X3 processor of your choice. The X2 215 is a 65W processor and the x3s are 95W processors. Chances are pretty good that you are OK. But not for sure.

 

[Deemo13]

^That's the other thing I was worried about. I'm not certain the board would take a 95W processor or not.

I can take a look at the board tomorrow, but the last I remember, I did not see a model number. I'm going to be putting it all in the case tomorrow, then I will decide whether or not to go and get a X3.

 

[clutchc]

I'm being overly cautious, of course. I've yet to find an AMD board that couldn't use a 95W processor. But I thought I'd throw that out for consideration.

 

[rds1220]

The best thing to do is to is to find out what motherboard you have and look up the CPU compatability list.

 

[Deemo13]

I'll take a look tomorrow, as I do not have the motherboard at the current moment.

I'll get back to this thread tomorrow with information on the motherboard.

 

[rds1220]

Also if you still have trouble you can download CPU-Z. In CPU-Z there will be a "motherboard" tab that will give you a good bit of information about your motherboard including make and model.

 

[Deemo13]

Ok here is what I can pull from CPU-Z:

Under the CPU tab, the only relevant thing is that the socket is AM3.

The motherboard is made by Acer, and is model number WMCP78M. Right now I am trying to find the manual or some information on it.

 

[rds1220]

Ok here is what I can pull from CPU-Z:

Under the CPU tab, the only relevant thing is that the socket is AM3.

The motherboard is made by Acer, and is model number WMCP78M. Right now I am trying to find the manual or some information on it.

That doesn't really give any useful information so it really doesn't help. Try to find a manual or call Acer and find out more about the motherboard. Just because it says AM3 that doesn't mean all AM3 CPU's will work in that motherboard. Some motherboards will only accept a CPU up to a certain TDP. So if it says up to 95 Watt TDP Phenom II you can't put a 125 Watt TDP Phenom II in there even though they both use the same socket. I think it would be best to call Acer and get a CPU compatibility list.

 

[clutchc]

Is this your Acer in question?
http://support.acer.com/us/en/acerpanam/desktop/0000/Acer/AspireX1200/AspireX1200nv.shtml

 

[Deemo13]

Its the X1301, and I'm doing a major overhaul to it right now as a fun project with close to no purpose.

I'm trying to make a media center PC with it. I'll call them with a compatibility list.

 

[rds1220]

According to Acer's website these are the AMD CPU's that will work with your motherboard

AMD LIVE!™: ■AMD Phenom™ II X4 quad-core processor
■AMD Phenom™ II X3 triple-core processor
■AMD Phenom™ II X2 dual-core processor
■AMD Athlon™ II X4 quad-core processor
■AMD Athlon™ II X3 triple-core processor
■AMD Athlon™ II X2 dual-core processor
AMD Athlon™ processor
AMD Sempron™ processor

http://support.acer.com/acerpanam/desktop/2010/acer/Aspire/AspireX1301/AspireX1301sp2.shtml

 

[Deemo13]

Sweet! I'll go and grab an Athlon X3 then! I probably can't run a 965 in there, but still its an improvement.

Thanks so much guys!

 

[Deemo13]

Now I've got to figure out if I want a Phenom II X4 955 or a Athlon II X3 450....

 

[clutchc]

Now I've got to figure out if I want a Phenom II X4 955 or a Athlon II X3 450....

The 955 is a 125W processor, isn't it?

 

[rds1220]

Yes it is and it should work in that motherboard. It doesn't say anything about TDP so I think it should work. If you are unsure though you can ask Acer.

 

[clutchc]

Unless I'm missing something here, I thought the processor was limited to 65W.
Here is the manual for the Aspire X1300/X1301
http://support.acer.com/acerpanam/Manuals/acer/2010/ServiceGuides/SG_Aspire_X1301_BOOK.pdf

If I'm missunderstanding, I apologize.

 

[rds1220]

Under technical specs it list the CPU's compatible and gives all the specs. It gives a listing of 45 Watt, 65 Watt and 95 Watt (Phenom 3X aND 4x CPU's). So I would say it has a limit of 95 Watt CPU.

 

[clutchc]

That's what I'm saying. He has to limit his choice to 95W processors. He shouldn't use a Phenom II X4 955, 965. They are 125W processors.