Okay so all of the 945's I have found all state AM3...
My board is an AM2 I believe and I think we went over how I would have to replace my mobo for something that was also AM3; I just can't recall what it was we were speaking of.
Okay so all of the 945's I have found all state AM3...
My board is an AM2 I believe and I think we went over how I would have to replace my mobo for something that was also AM3; I just can't recall what it was we were speaking of.
Actually, I don't disagree. If OP is able to get some more air flowing across the board he may very well be fine. Sticking with a stock cooler and adding a side fan (or even a couple of zip-tie mounted interior fans) will help in this regard. It does have to be said that the idea of removing the side panel and using a house fan is not something I'd recommend, especially with animals and children in the house.
I've been operating under the assumption that the airflow would remain unchanged or even become worse due to an aftermarket cooler; if those variables are changed, however, we're looking at a different situation. It's not like I can fairly recommend against this course of action; after all, I overclock (albeit slightly) on a 4 + 1 board with a history of VRM burnout under the assumption that the VRM heatsink, my rather ridiculous airflow (one front 200mm intake, four side-mounted 120mm intakes, one 200mm top exhaust, and one 120mm exhaust), and my board's throttling tendency will prevent any cataclysmic failures.
OP, if you're willing to do the work there are definitely things you can do to at least minimize the risk. You could try adding heatsinks to the VRMS, mounting additional internal fans, and modifying your case as JD suggested. I am in full support of these ideas, though I don't know how much help I'll be able to provide--case modification and mobo heatsink additions are not something I have much experience with. Perhaps JD can step in there.
I still don't recommend the upgrade under your current conditions (I don't want to be the guy who tells you to take a risk and then have you run into a major problem), but if you are willing to put in the work to modify those conditions then I'm all about it. Besides, it might be fun...
I wanted to bring it up later on, but since you made mention, there's this segment of 3 videos illustrating the installation of a copper heat sink on the MOSFET's, cut to fit the motherboard in question, where the installer resorts to what I believe you call physical TIM, with two adhesive sides which from what he indicates, should suffice to negate gravity's effect on the heat sink and keep it in place. He does however resort to two screw-holes on the motherboard to further secure it. I would have to analyse the quality of said adhesion before endorsing it, because I never used any, but it looks like a solid solution on a motherboard, as the case is, with an inconvenient screw-hole layout.
JD
I believe I've seen some references to people simply gluing heatsinks to their VRMs with non-conductive adhesive or even using tape. The tricky bit will be applying the TIM. Physical TIM strips may be the best solution. I'd also recommend mounting some fans in the case if you have the PSU capability, but I'd need a picture of the case's interior to give good guidance there.
OP, you should definitely heed JD's upgrade path advice. It'll help us close the case once and for all and also allow you to learn without overwhelming yourself.
The X4 840 is a AM3 socket CPU, as well as the X4 945. The AM2+ motherboards support AM3 CPU's, although you may need to update the BIOS.
The only problem with the X4 945 is, as thoroughly covered, the potential incapability of the motherboard to support a 125 W TDP CPU on the medium/long-term. Both BigChickenJim and I, if I may, aren't comfortable with that suggestion, even though the motherboard might support it. The thing is, you wouldn't notice that much of a performance difference between the X4's, given that you cannot over-clock in the first place. That written, you are indeed better off playing it safe and adopting the conservative route, by installing a 95 W TDP CPU, that not only will be cheaper overtime, but will also be a few bucks lighter on the wallet at purchase. Furthermore, a X4 840 doesn't need a cooler capable of dissipating as much heat as the X4 945 would. You will likely be fine with the stock cooler, if you happen to find the combination for sale. Another point for the latter. From here on, it's up to you.
JD
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/273667-31-phenom
If post two is right and It is still compatible I would like to go with the 945; especially considering I won't be able to overclock. I think I would rather spend the 20$ extra performance; I am, however, concerned about this statement " Furthermore, a X4 840 doesn't need a cooler capable of dissipating as much heat as the X4 945 would.". If I am to rule out the 125 TD, should I assume it to be safe.
I appreciate your help friends.
Quick update: my son arrived this past Sunday and my wife and I are settling in and trying to sleep when we can. I'll be out of the discussion for at least a few more days.
Good thing you mentioned that. I had consulted a list where both revisions, or at least the newer one, featured in. For some reason, I dismissed that, possibly because at the time the inclination appeared to be pending towards the X4 840. If you scroll down here, there's actually a 95 W TDP version of a X4 955, which has the same clock the X4 840 has and the extra L3 cache the X4 945 also has. In principle, either one of these 3 CPU's bear the same potential heat issues, therefore you could use the same cooler on either and expect identical results. It now comes down to BIOS compatibility and the amount of money you want to spend.
Given that I pointed out the slim likelihood of one noticing the difference between a X4 840 and a X4 945, over-clocking aside, I'm not endorsing the more expensive X4 955. However, following my line of action, with the interest of informing to the best of my knowledge in mind, I felt that letting you know your options was due. I still maintain, the X4 840 should be plenty until the new system is put together.
JD
Quick update: my son arrived this past Sunday and my wife and I are settling in and trying to sleep when we can. I'll be out of the discussion for at least a few more days.
Concerning the BIOS: If you have any tips you are willing to share I would appreciate it; it isn't completely necessary, as programs and the like are where I excel, but any tips and tricks are much appreciated bro.
In the link above there is an AM3 and an AM2(+); am I to assume the higher number the better in most cases or would it be better to go with my motherboard type for better compatibility?
Congratulations, fellow trouble-shooter! My wishes of happiness and peace to you and your family.
1. According to what I found on the Dell BIOS download page, the instructions to follow are quite simple. You shouldn't have any trouble there at all, especially since it's your field of expertise. Keep however in mind that you should update the BIOS before you install the new CPU, to ensure no compatibility issues arise.
2. Yes. I suppose your actual cooler may not be up to the task if it's the stock one, so you'll have to acquire another, given that the seller in question doesn't ship one with the X4 955.
3. As you can see, it's physically possible to install the AM3 CPU on a AM2+ motherboard, as the former model was designed with 2 less pins that don't affect its compatibility with the latter socket.
All you should do to ensure compatibility, is update your motherboard BIOS. While this may not be mandatory, it's predominantly suggested where I have thus far read about this line of upgrade. Otherwise, you're good to go!
JD
I finally obtained a 1tb external HDD for the cleansing of my system; my first step has been achieved.
Okay, thank you so much; you guys have been a great help. I'm glad you stated to update BIOS first as I would have assumed opposite, due to the theory that it would actually mess up my current CPU.
Okay, that's totally fine; it is the stock cooler, so I will definitely need to replace it. What is a good brand of CPU coolers?
Okay I actually was unsure due to my lack of hardware experience, I had seen the difference but was a bit confused on the placements or omit-ions; had I some more time I would have checked into it further using the images (if I would have thought of that). Thank you for clearing this up. I believe you are stating that I should go with the AM3 considering that it is compatible; I believe you are stating the AM3 is the better choice, so that will be my choice. Thanks again friends and I still have your last post to respond to John Dime; I know its a page away already and I apologize, thank you also for your patience.
1. Good. There isn't much left to be passed on at this point, which has me looking forward for the installation of the new parts and subsequent performance delta analysis.
2. I haven't gathered any information to support that theory, where this motherboard is concerned. You should have no problem using your current CPU after the BIOS update.
3. If we equate a small margin of error over the specified TDP for that X4 955, we're left with a figure not too far from 100 W. This is with your CPU at full load, which represents, time-wise, a small percentage. Therefore, I wouldn't concern myself with acquiring tall-towered heat sinks, which may also be an issue where case space is concerned. I would look for the stock cooler or the most approximate to it, as with no over-clocking to bear, it's a perfectly adequate solution. I don't know how feasible it is, because I'm not knowledgeable enough with the popular (or obscure, for that matter) on-line vendors, to deduct whether such a solution is available to you. All I can inform you of is that something along that line, will suffice.
I understand that with all the heat talk that went on, you may find my suggestion contradictory, but the concern is better oriented towards the cooling of the VRM's and case airflow. If you have no predicament with these two, you won't have any issue cooling a CPU at stock voltages, with its stock cooler. You may of course wish to be on the safe side and purchase something that will give you a higher headroom over the specified TDP. For that however, you'll have to resort to others, for as stated, I have little knowledge where on-line (and local to you) vendors are concerned.
4. You understood everything correctly.
5. You don't have to apologize at all. As long as the information I provide is of any use to you and as long as your doubts are clarified, my task is completed and we're both pleased.
JD
Hi guys, I'm doing much better.
I'm glad modding is the next step. Sorry, what do you mean by "subsequent performance delta analysis." ?
Thank you for this information; I have a decent amount of space in the case, but I think I will still go with the stock cooler. I do believe I will be trying to find heat spreaders for my VRMs; as long as size isn't an issue, any spreaders should be fine am I correct?
As a side note, I have started training through Professor Messer's Comptia A+ videos. I can't wait to begin my career in IT.
1. Thank you for your concern.1.Good to know.
2. In mathematics, Delta, the capital greek letter, usually refers to a difference or variation. What I meant was that what's left for you to do is install the hardware and appreciate the performance difference between your current system and the newer.
3. Yes. Keep in mind that copper is nearly twice as efficient as aluminium conducting heat within the temperature range the VRM's are going to operate at. That would be my metal of choice.
4. I'm not familiarized, but I briefly looked at the on-line pages and it looks interesting. You won't be needing our suggestions soon enough!
JD
Just an update: I recently installed Super Meat Boy ( A 2-D game ) This game seems far less demanding than Skyrim, but frequently drops from 60 to 40 frames per second. I believe Skyrim may have some similar drops but I haven't played it in awhile; I believe it would be far less than Super Meat Boy's fps drop frequency.
Would you also say that this could be a bottleneck issue?
At points it stops and stays at 40 and then will climb back up to 60; I use plenty of programs that would prevent this kind of activity normally, but it seems like this happens more frequently in newer titles. I believe it does fit in the category of bottlenecking since it is most frequent in these newer titles, but conformation is nice.