[kc2pbi]

Hi, I have PC w/ASUS M2N-MX m/b, AMD athalon 4200x2 dual core cpu, 1gig ddr2 memory. Everything works great, just want to know how fast I can go on the cpu with this m/b withour getting crazy, make, model suggestions? and the same with the ddr memory. 2-2 gig's right? What make or model should I look for? Generic is fine. Just want this machine to do all it can until something breaks and its rebuild time. It was built August 07'. With an 80 gig holding the o/s and two 160's acting as a mirrored RAID. Thanks so much for your time and advice.

Kindest regards,


Chris

 

[Wrench97]

Looks like a 6000x2 on 0804 Bios> http://support.asus.com/cpusupport/cpusupport.aspx?SLanguage=en-us&model=M2N-MX

And yes 2x2Gig DDR2 800 if you have 2gig now 1x1gig just add 2 512 32 bit windows won't use more then that> http://www.crucial.com/store/mpartspecs.aspx?mtbpoid=1CACDB81A5CA7304

 

[kc2pbi]

Thanks Wrench,

I understand regarding the DDR memory I have a DDR 2 memory only giving me 1 gig. And thank you for the link, but regarding the CPU, how high can I go? What speed can I go to? I do not understand that well. It is a 32 dual core, not a 64. It achieves 4200 speed by running 2.1, twice. I apologize for my novice status as you probably already gave me the answer. Feel free to e-mail me directly if you wish. Thanks again.


Kindest regards,



-Chris

 

[Wrench97]

No you don't double the speed of the core AMD assigned a number that basically means nothing in relationship to the speed other then the higher the number the faster the CPU for the most part your 4200 is a 2.2Ghz cpu that means it has 2 cores the operate separately running at 2.2Ghz and your motherboard is a Socket AM2 so you do have a 64 bit cpu. The AMD Athlon 64 X2 6000 is a 3.0Ghz dual core cpu.

Now about your memory do you have 1 1Gig stick or 2 512Meg sticks Both are seen in windows as 1024Meg of memory? 2 Matched Sticks allow the computer to run in Dual Channel Mode which is much faster then single channel.

 

[kc2pbi]

Wrench 97,
The fastest cpu I can run with this board is the Athlon 64 3000+ (CN),512K,rev.F2,62W,SocketAM2 . Is that correct? That will work with XP pro 32 bit and essentially be 2-3000 processors working in tandem.

And I upgrade my 1 gig memory chip to 2- 2 gig chips. Thank you very much sir!


-Chris

 

[kc2pbi]

Sorry Wrench, we posted at the same time. I have a single stick 1 gig, not 2 512's. I have 4 slots. Two yellow and then two black.

 

[Wrench97]

The Athlon 64 3000+ is a old single core cpu Windows XP32 has nothing to do with a cpu being 64 bit or not the 64bit designation means it can run 64 bit operating systems but does not have to.

This is the fastest cpu for your system > http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103272

Motherboard CPU compatibility list from Asus
http://support.asus.com/cpusupport/cpusupport.aspx?SLanguage=en-us&model=M2N-MX

 

[Wrench97]

Sorry Wrench, we posted at the same time. I have a single stick 1 gig, not 2 512's. I have 4 slots. Two yellow and then two black.

I would try to match that single stick you have with another of the same brand and model to get 2Gig in dual channel mode,

 

[kc2pbi]

But the M/B is capable of 4 g memory, no? Are you saying put the same model 1 gig stick in all 4 slots or just run 2 gig memory instead of the 4? Or is 4 gig miss-information on my part?

-Chris

 

[kc2pbi]

Wrench, I think I understand. What you are saying is Windows XP Pro will not use more than 2 gig of memory. I am confused because the person who built the computer told me to buy 2x2 gig sticks. I think he was focused on the capacity of the motherboard and not paying attention to my particular system.

That said, will the 6000 CPU make a difference if I only have 2 gig memory. Is the memory a bottleneck making the newer CPU a waste of money? Forgive my ignorance. Would installing 2x2 gig sticks be wise in anticipation of Vista as an O/S? I am holding off on Vista but if it will utilize the 4 gig memory maybe I will upgrade ahead of time.

Thank you again for your time and for dealing with my lack of knowledge regarding my own machine.

Kindest regards,


Chris

 

[Wrench97]

I said to try to match your current 1 gig stick, 2 gig is plenty for win xp and windows 32 bit will not see more than 2.8 to 3.2, you could buy 4 gig if you want you won't use it but it's up to you.

 

[kc2pbi]

Thank you So much. I appreciate your time a great deal. Have a great rest of the weekend sir.

-Chris

 

[linderman]

only 64 bit operating systems use all 4 gigs of memory and more ........ however you dont see a big diff in speed when you use the 64 bit OS ....... some speed faster = yes but other things factor into using a 64 bit OS

32 bit vista has the same 3.5 gig memory limitation

if you are going to upgrade your OS ....... then I suggest you wait till spring 09 when windows 7 will be out ......... that is already said to be all that Vista will never be ....... and this info is not coming from the MS press machine !

 

[linderman]

memory nowdays is cheap


I would buy the cpu that wrench linked

then buy 2 x 2 gig sticks of Corsair XMS2-DDR800 PC6400

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145184



then you can sell off your single stick to a buddy or ebay .............

 

[Wrench97]

I agree I wouldn't rush into Vista your not missing anything and most games run slower frame rates on it then XP also of note Vista 32 bit has the same memory restrictions as xp32 I keep reading posters say otherwise on some of the gaming forums but that info is not right.

 

[kc2pbi]

Thanks Linderman.

As green as I am I still know enough to avoid Vista until absolutley nessecary. Windows 7 will apparently allow me to bypass it all together. Yet there is the Office 2007 script issue. I run 2003 and will not upgrade unless I have to to remain current.

I will buy the Corsairs as suggested precisely because memory is cheap like you said and go for the AMD Athlon 64 X2 6000. I will hang on to XP pro and Office 2003 until the very last minute. My machine was built inexpensively to keep me coming back (affordability) and while I upgrade it every 3 years or so I would like to run it at its full potential until then hence the upgrade questions. I have already had to replace the power supply to 500 watts. Better safe than sorry.

I assume I will need a new fan when I upgrade the CPU or will the existing one work for a swap out? Money is not the real issue. Quality is my concern. Not overworking the machine. Thank you again for your opnions. They are really the only guidance I have and I appreciate it it more than you know.

Kindest regards,


-Chris

 

[Wrench97]

For office 07 it runs fine on XP that what I use now, you wouldn't happen to be a student would you?

 

[linderman]

cpu cooler = zalman 9700

 

[kc2pbi]

Hello Wrench,

No sir, not a student. A 44 year old cabinetry contractor from rural NJ. Been using the same 1 man shop for my computer needs since my first machine 12 years ago. He doesn't exactly fill in all the blanks. I like Office 2007 but read that it uses Word instead of IE for its HTML scripting and that causes trouble for many so maybe it too will go down the road like Longhorn, but I am talking WAY outof turn now. I just want my humble machine to run well until it is obsolete again and am thankful for this forum.


-Chris

 

[Wrench97]

Ok just asking because there are some dirt cheap student Office deals like $79.00 for a full blown office suite but you need a .edu eMail address.