Folks -

I have a client who needs to do a low cost CPU upgrade.

The PC has a SiS730 shipset motherboard with a Duron 1.1 GHz processor and 256mb of PC133 memory.

How fast can I go on a replacement CPU?

Tim Thomas
Computer Troubleshooters

Doesn't look like she is in such a good place
1.motherboard could be infected with bad capacitors
2. old SD ram

Do you have the spec of the mobo?

Web site should say what it supports


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quote:

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Originally posted by: tjkthomas
Folks -

I have a client who needs to do a low cost CPU upgrade.

The PC has a SiS730 shipset motherboard with a Duron 1.1 GHz processor and 256mb of PC133 memory.

How fast can I go on a replacement CPU?

Tim Thomas
Computer Troubleshooters

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That would probably mean a very expensive upgrade today to keep staying on skt A. Have you suggested to go for an AM2 motherboard with Sempron CPU (cheapest 64bit CPU from AMD = Duron 32 bit type). Some cheap memory from a well known brand around 512 MB mini or 1024 MB (2 x 512 Mb for dual channel mode),

There are MB with integrated videocards, but do suggest to get MB with PCI express in any case as that will make it possible to upgrade with a real videocard and off load memory to other tasks.

I had myself a Duron 900 MHz and VIA chipset and that run well until now. As you can see from my signature I have done the jump to the older skt 754 (single channel) with an Athlon64 CPU with a rather high speed (2400 MHz). That change how I can do things and how fast it feels.
Try to explain to your client that more speed really does matter even if you only use your computer for basic tasks and 64 bit are much faster when it is used with a 64 bit OS.

Today videocards can offload some video task like decode/encode HD TV, Divx, WMV and other video standards to watch movies. That will help to run smother and faster most video task and to get more out of you hardware. That is also why I recommend to at least have PCI express videocard availible as onboard video are just a mini solution.

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Abit AT8-32X (Xpress3200)/Athlon64 X2 4200+@stock/Corsair VS 2GB/Samsung SATA II 2x 250 GB/Club3D X1950XT GDDR3 256MB+ PowerColor Theatre 550 pro (PCIe x1)

quote:

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Originally posted by: Elite_Athlon
Doesn't look like she is in such a good place
1.motherboard could be infected with bad capacitors
2. old SD ram

Do you have the spec of the mobo?

Web site should say what it supports

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I don't have the specs. The only mobo I could find using that chipset is a ECS K7SEM and it recommends up to a Duron 900 (note that a 1.1 GHz is currently installed).

I realize a new mobo and Sepron CPU is a better way but there are 2 considerations
1) the cost and
2) 1-800-dell4me and their financing.

quote:

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Originally posted by: tjkthomas
I don't have the specs. The only mobo I could find using that chipset is a ECS K7SEM and it recommends up to a Duron 900 (note that a 1.1 GHz is currently installed).

I realize a new mobo and Sepron CPU is a better way but there are 2 considerations
1) the cost and
2) 1-800-dell4me and their financing.

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I don't see how the cost could be different? She (your client) would pay for something that will not give much improvement and that is the way todays technology work.

For the second part I can only say: never borrow money for something that will decrease that fast in worth as computer hardware does. You will regret and it and from what I see not even get any real gain in hardware. Your client need to understand that there is no short cuts to get what she wants: performance that is better then what she have.

Good luck to both you and your client to build a better computer.

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Abit AT8-32X (Xpress3200)/Athlon64 X2 4200+@stock/Corsair VS 2GB/Samsung SATA II 2x 250 GB/Club3D X1950XT GDDR3 256MB+ PowerColor Theatre 550 pro (PCIe x1)

Just because you are getting a new mobo and cpu doesn't mean it has to cost an arm and a leg. Find an AM2 socket mobo and a Sempron cpu. Here is a link to a mobo with PCIe slot and GeForce 6100 chipset on www.tigerdirect.com that is only $69
http://www.tigerdirect.com/app...s/Se...&CatId=2320
and here is a link to the current top of the line AM2 socket Sempron cpu for only $107
http://www.tigerdirect.com/app...s/Se...&CatId=2326

That mobo is also very upgradeable for future upgrades and can even support Athlon 64 FX class cpus!

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