amd processor upgrade help

[devilhunter]

I currently use a MSI K7N2 motherboard running a 1.2mhz AMD Athlon processor with 256mb ram.

What is the best speed processor I can upgrade to and can I just swap it over with the one I have.I also intend to upgrade the ram at the same time.

I dont want to change the m/b so please bear that in mind as I am not very skilled in pc building.

[Mattk]

http://www.msi.com.tw/program/products/mainboard/mbd/pro_mbd_detail.php?UID=436

a 5 second search on google found the above.It would appear that it will support up to Athlon XP3000+.

You can just swap it over but it would be very unwise.You will need to buy a more powerful heatsink and fan for starters that is compatible with the faster cpu that you choose.I used www.thecoolingshop.com when i upgraded in a similar way.CPU's and fans are easy to install but need to be handled with care to avoid damage and 'smudging' of the thermal paste on the heatsink.

[kempie]

The link provided by Mattk indicates that the mobo will run any and all of the Socket A processors produced by AMD. Officially the most powerful is the Athlon XP 3200+, although they did also produce the Athlon XP 3300+ for HP/Dell.

Socket A production was discontinued a few years ago and even though Socket A mobos are still readily available finding CPUs anywhere other than ebay is quite difficult, especially the high performance models.

[devilhunter]

So would I actually notice the differance if I up graded to a 3200 or is it just worth me just upgrading the ram ?

[peanut]

Devilhunter, click here and read my last post.

[devilhunter]

cheers peanut.

[kempie]

You would definitely notice the difference if you upgraded to an Athlon XP 3200+ but (provided you could find one) it would cost around �150. You could choose a less powerful CPU such as a Sempron 2400+ or slightly better for around �50.

Upgrading the RAM would offer less of an improvement, but improvement it still is.

You can buy 256MB DDR for around �15 and 512MB for around �25.

[Mattk]

Kempie is quite right in what he is saying.I bought my cpu from ebay(XP 3000+ as thats the highest my MB will go) and it was quite pricey but short of upgrading your MB too its still the cheaper option.

[peanut]

Devilhunter, im not sure of the conversion rate if you are in Europe or anywhere else other than the USA but i have a AMD Athalon 64 3400+ 2.4ghz and paid $151 American. Go to Zip Zoom Fly here and order one. There are many to choose from. No matter what you do, you still need to upgrade that memory.

[peanut]

Oh yeah, be sure to check how much your motherboard can handle first.

[kempie]

The Athlon 64 is only available for socket AM2, socket 754 and socket 939 mobos and as such is incompatible with the MSI K7N2 socket A mobo, which will only support Athlon, Athlon XP, Duron and Sempron processors.

[devilhunter]

Thanks very much to for all your imput.A faster processor and more memory is on the way from the good old ebay :)