Need one these cpu's : Pnenom 2x4 925 or Athlon 2x4 650e

[songster53]

Have an eMachines MCP6!PM-GM mobo
Need a quad core AM3 CPU to upgrade, preferably 65watt.
Phenom 2x4 925 and Athlon 2x4 640e
were both recommended, but I'm having trouble finding either of these.
Does anybody have one or know where to get one or have another compatible suggestion. I'm not a gamer but I'm using recording software and my Athlon II 250u isn't cutting it. Also might need a new power supply. Mine is 240watts max and I have interfaces and other usb powered stuff attached. Anybody?

Also will an AM3+ work? Like this one?

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4904563&csid=_61

If so how do I change the bios? (Not even sure what bios are, frankly)

 

[plazmakill]

Hello,
First, let me state I'm not familiar with your motherboard. I would not be able to tell you if the processor from Tigerdirect's website would be actually compatible, AM3+ sockets should be able to handle that line of processors, HOWEVER, I would strongly recommend you got a compatible processor list and required BIOS version list from the board manufacturer before actually attempting any processor upgrade on any board.
This last point will prove to be a pain in the neck, eMachines was acquired by Gigabyte, then Acer ... so you're on a support scavenger hunt.

All motherboards have a BIOS, nowadays, and in this case, to put it short, will govern the processor compatibility for your board. (Here's some additional reading http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BIOS )
(If you really need to update the BIOS you will need a file that the motherboard's manufacturer has to provide, too)

I don't know if AMD actually released an energy efficient version of Athlon II x4 640, however a quick search in amazon gives us this for shopping (95watt TDP tho):

http://www.amazon.com/AMD-Athlon-640-Processor-ADX640WFGMBOX/dp/B003M7BLOW

Here's the Athlon family product comparison for reference:
http://www.amd.com/us/products/desktop/processors/athlon-ii-x2/Pages/AMD-athlon-ii-x2-processor-model-numbers-feature-comparison.aspx

Now let's talk about the Phenom II x4 925.

Here's the Amazon listing:

http://www.amazon.com/AMD-Phenom-Deneb-Socket-Processor/dp/B002TK3A56/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1391702781&sr=1-1&keywords=phenom+ii+x4+925

And here's AMD's comparison sheet again:
http://www.amd.com/us/products/desktop/processors/phenom-ii/Pages/phenom-ii-model-number-comparison.aspx

The next step would be to ensure your MOBO meets all requirements for the processor upgrade before shopping for a processor. But I'll leave it at this for now. This is my first post at Tomshardware.

I hope this provides you with enough to get started.

 

[songster53]

Hello,
First, let me state I'm not familiar with your motherboard. I would not be able to tell you if the processor from Tigerdirect's website would be actually compatible, AM3+ sockets should be able to handle that line of processors, HOWEVER, I would strongly recommend you got a compatible processor list and required BIOS version list from the board manufacturer before actually attempting any processor upgrade on any board.
This last point will prove to be a pain in the neck, eMachines was acquired by Gigabyte, then Acer ... so you're on a support scavenger hunt.

All motherboards have a BIOS, nowadays, and in this case, to put it short, will govern the processor compatibility for your board. (Here's some additional reading http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BIOS )
(If you really need to update the BIOS you will need a file that the motherboard's manufacturer has to provide, too)

I don't know if AMD actually released an energy efficient version of Athlon II x4 640, however a quick search in amazon gives us this for shopping (95watt TDP tho):

http://www.amazon.com/AMD-Athlon-640-Processor-ADX640WFGMBOX/dp/B003M7BLOW

Here's the Athlon family product comparison for reference:
http://www.amd.com/us/products/desktop/processors/athlon-ii-x2/Pages/AMD-athlon-ii-x2-processor-model-numbers-feature-comparison.aspx

Now let's talk about the Phenom II x4 925.

Here's the Amazon listing:

http://www.amazon.com/AMD-Phenom-Deneb-Socket-Processor/dp/B002TK3A56/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1391702781&sr=1-1&keywords=phenom+ii+x4+925

And here's AMD's comparison sheet again:
http://www.amd.com/us/products/desktop/processors/phenom-ii/Pages/phenom-ii-model-number-comparison.aspx

The next step would be to ensure your MOBO meets all requirements for the processor upgrade before shopping for a processor. But I'll leave it at this for now. This is my first post at Tomshardware.

I hope this provides you with enough to get started.

Wow! Thank you for taking that much time to give me a very intelligent answer to my question. My reason for choosing these 2 processors is that the experts here recommend them and know they worked on the same mobo, so I feel fairly safe getting either one. However I will definitely check out your links and may find something equally usable as a result.
I too am brand new to this sight. So far it's been a Godsend and I am amazed how many smart people are willing to share their knowledge and how quickly I have gotten responses to questions. It's one of the best resources I have found in years. Previously I have spent hours googling computer questions and gotten more confused than anything else. Local nerd support is also expensive.
Unfortunately, if I pull the problem solved trigger on this thread I'll stop getting answers. This sight ought to give credit for helpful answers that are not necessarily final solutions so the poster could earn badges more quickly. Personally I don't care much about these badges, but I do think question posters ought to be able to recognize those who take the trouble to respond more publicly.
Anyway! Warmest thanks! songster

 

[plazmakill]

Hi songster,

There is no problem with not closing the thread, in fact, setting it on motion is part of it all.

Bear in mind that both processors have a 95W TDP, so if you can narrow down prices for both and find them in a similar price range then go for the Phenom. This article has more insight on why: http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/athlon-l3-cache,2416.html

I'm building a replacement for an older computer and waiting for the Athlon II X3 to arrive. (got it secondhand from http://starmicroinc.net/ hope it lives up to the hype)

In my previous post I had forgotten to mention more about your power supply, you may want to gauge your computer's power consumption with a killawatt for example. This should give you a fair idea of how your supply is doing. If your consumption is around 200 watts then it will be very likely you need a psu with more juice to it... That's a fairly general idea.

Best of luck,

 

[songster53]

Hi songster,

There is no problem with not closing the thread, in fact, setting it on motion is part of it all.

Bear in mind that both processors have a 95W TDP, so if you can narrow down prices for both and find them in a similar price range then go for the Phenom. This article has more insight on why: http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/athlon-l3-cache,2416.html

I'm building a replacement for an older computer and waiting for the Athlon II X3 to arrive. (got it secondhand from http://starmicroinc.net/ hope it lives up to the hype)

In my previous post I had forgotten to mention more about your power supply, you may want to gauge your computer's power consumption with a killawatt for example. This should give you a fair idea of how your supply is doing. If your consumption is around 200 watts then it will be very likely you need a psu with more juice to it... That's a fairly general idea.

Best of luck,

Thanks again. My power supply maxes out at 240watts so I may have to up that as well regardless of which processor I get, but an efficient one might delay that need. Others also agree that the phenom is better, all else being equal. Your links also pointed to some other options to consider. I'm not a gamer, but I am using music software, hence the need for a bit more power. These links are very helpful. Thanks again