AMD-K7 Upgrade

Tell them to stop being soooo cheap and buy a new PC.

"Veritech" <avis.dalrymple RemoveThis @ntlworld.com> wrote in message
news:GM2je.10473$8K5.9035@newsfe3-win.ntli.net...
 >i got a similar problem, or at least one my customers has. They have an old
 >supermicro BX 440 board. With a Pentium 2 @ 350mhz(slot A), whats the best
 >thats availible for an old platform like that.
 > "Bennett Price" <bjpriceNOSPAM RemoveThis @itsa.ucsf.edu> wrote in message
 > news:q22je.18842$J12.974@newssvr14.news.prodigy.com...
  >> I've got a roughly 5 year old PC with an AMD-K7 600 MHz Slot A CPU. Is
  >> there a faster processor that I can just drop in to make the machine
  >> faster? I'm not interested in overclocking. Do all the Slot A CPU's
  >> take the same heat sink configuration or, assuming a faster CPU would
  >> work, must I get it w. a heat sink or can I reuse the one I have?
  >>
  >> Motherboard is MS-6167, Award Bios
  >>
  >> Thanks for your advice.
 >
 ><!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: AMD-K7 Upgrade 

On Thu, 19 May 2005 15:13:26 +0000, Bennett Price wrote:

 > I've got a roughly 5 year old PC with an AMD-K7 600 MHz Slot A CPU. Is
 > there a faster processor that I can just drop in to make the machine
 > faster? I'm not interested in overclocking. Do all the Slot A CPU's
 > take the same heat sink configuration or, assuming a faster CPU would
 > work, must I get it w. a heat sink or can I reuse the one I have?
 >
 > Motherboard is MS-6167, Award Bios
 >

double check with your mobo manual
but i think that board tops out at a 700mhz cpu
and if so, you'd not gain anything by upgrading the cpu...
however you may still boost your performance by adding more RAM...
depending on how much you have now<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: AMD-K7 Upgrade 

"Bennett Price" <bjpriceNOSPAM.DeleteThis@itsa.ucsf.edu> wrote in message
news:q22je.18842$J12.974@newssvr14.news.prodigy.com...
 > I've got a roughly 5 year old PC with an AMD-K7 600 MHz Slot A CPU. Is
 > there a faster processor that I can just drop in to make the machine
 > faster? I'm not interested in overclocking. Do all the Slot A CPU's take
 > the same heat sink configuration or, assuming a faster CPU would work,
 > must I get it w. a heat sink or can I reuse the one I have?
 >
 > Motherboard is MS-6167, Award Bios
 >
 > Thanks for your advice.

upgrade more than the CPU

you could upgrade the board, CPU and RAM which is probably all you would
need.. maybe a vid card, even so you could it for less than £250 i reckon
and get a decent system

Board £30
RAM £50
CPU £90
VID VARD £50

CONTINGENCY £50 (ish)

£270 with the contingency fund, which you probably wont need, just
cannabalize your existing case and optical devices and PSU.

You could probably even upgrade for a hell of a lot less than this, you may
even get it done for under £200 if your just looking for a step up from 600
MHz<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: AMD-K7 Upgrade 

On Thu, 19 May 2005 15:13:26 GMT, Bennett Price
<bjpriceNOSPAM.RemoveThis@itsa.ucsf.edu> wrote:

 >I've got a roughly 5 year old PC with an AMD-K7 600 MHz Slot A CPU. Is
 >there a faster processor that I can just drop in to make the machine
 >faster? I'm not interested in overclocking. Do all the Slot A CPU's
 >take the same heat sink configuration or, assuming a faster CPU would
 >work, must I get it w. a heat sink or can I reuse the one I have?
 >
 >Motherboard is MS-6167, Award Bios
 >
 >Thanks for your advice.


There isn't enough gain to the max CPU that board supports
to make it worthwhile... which is probably 700MHz.

If it has a very good power supply and fairly good case
ventilation you might be able to replace the board, CPU, and
memory to a Athlon Xp socket A or Athlon 64 generation.<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: AMD-K7 Upgrade 

On Thu, 19 May 2005 16:02:46 GMT, "Veritech"
<avis.dalrymple DeleteThis @ntlworld.com> wrote:

 >i got a similar problem, or at least one my customers has. They have an old
 >supermicro BX 440 board. With a Pentium 2 @ 350mhz(slot A), whats the best
 >thats availible for an old platform like that.

Research the board to see if it'll take a Coppermine
(celeron or P3), either the slot 1 P3 or use a slotket
adapter for either P3 or Celeron... up to 1.1GHz is typical
though depending on the board it may need a slotket or other
circuit mod to cause the CPU to run at 1.8V Vcore- if the
board doesn't support below 1.8V... many do support lower
and many don't. If you take the markings off the board's
regulator controller and consult that datasheet you may be
able to determine if it supports below 1.8V if that info
isn't otherwise available.

There are also Tualatin adapters with and without onboard
power regulation. Naturally those with the power onboard
are more costly but often BX generation boards aren't
optimally suited for the lower voltage but higher amperage
of a Tualatin CPU. I've seen and personally popped a few
capacitors a year or two after putting Tualatins in old BX
boards- and the boards do run fine again after replacing the
capacitors with upgraded parts but recovering from failure
isn't so good as preventing it in the first place.

It does depend on that specific board. The bios might halt
"unnecessarily" when it can't ID the CPU. In this regard a
bios update might help.

In general I wouldn't advise the upgrade today due to the
still low performance that results. Certainly it would be
faster than it is now, and perhaps a very good option for a
low-cost backup system or fileserver, but having the CPU and
foreknoledge about how to do it may be key in making it a
good value per time and $ relative to buying newer parts.
IE- really depends on the situation.<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: AMD-K7 Upgrade 

This post brought up my problem. Computer with 256K memory.
AMD K62-450 Anyone know what kind of mem chip I should
buy to boost it a little, like to 512? I don't have manual.
Thanks.
 >> Stay informed about: AMD-K7 Upgrade 

On Sat, 21 May 2005 19:58:54 -0700, "cat rancher"
<goodidea1950SPAM-SPAM.RemoveThis@hotmail.com> wrote:

 >
 >This post brought up my problem. Computer with 256K memory.
 >AMD K62-450 Anyone know what kind of mem chip I should
 >buy to boost it a little, like to 512? I don't have manual.
 >Thanks.
 >

I have an old system with a K62-400. It has 100 Mhz SDRAM in it. Just
guessing, I'd say that's what your system uses too. You really need
the manual to be sure though. Also, it's not just the type memory.
That old socket 7 board may limit the amount of memory per stick as
well as the total amount of memory in the system. 256 may be all it
can take. Again, that's where you need the manual.
--
E-mail address is invalid due to spam overflow - Please reply in the newsgroup.
--<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
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If you can ID the make and model of the MB, try
<a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://www.crucial.com/" target="_blank">http://www.crucial.com/</a>

cat rancher wrote:
 > This post brought up my problem. Computer with 256K memory.
 > AMD K62-450 Anyone know what kind of mem chip I should
 > buy to boost it a little, like to 512? I don't have manual.
 > Thanks.
 >
 ><!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: AMD-K7 Upgrade 

On Sat, 21 May 2005 19:58:54 -0700, "cat rancher"
<goodidea1950SPAM-SPAM.RemoveThis@hotmail.com> wrote:

 >
 >This post brought up my problem. Computer with 256K memory.
 >AMD K62-450 Anyone know what kind of mem chip I should
 >buy to boost it a little, like to 512? I don't have manual.
 >Thanks.
 >

The typical PC100, 16 chip 256MB module should work. These
days a "new" PC100 module mainly differs from PC133 in that
it is the lower-density chips needed for your motherboard
(chipset). Note that some motherboards may not cache over
384MB, I believe it has something to do with tag ram chip
size but don't recall all the details. Point being, if you
never use over 384MB of memory you might consider only
adding another 128MB, but with use of > 384MB, the remainer
of the uncached memory would still be faster than accessing
the hard drive.

Unless this is for a makeshift fileserver, I would question
whether the K6/2-450 has enough performance for tasks
requiring over 256MB of memory, it could be time to consider
replacing the motherboard and CPU too instead of pouring
more money into the system.

You might find a deal on used PC100 memory, perhaps ebay or
web for-sale forums, though it may be harder to determine
what you're getting ahead of time.<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: AMD-K7 Upgrade 

"kony" <spam.RemoveThis@spam.com> wrote in message
news:ec529155lr6h543gq5lfcs4fuep4n9lvfd@4ax.com...
: On Sat, 21 May 2005 19:58:54 -0700, "cat rancher"
: <goodidea1950SPAM-SPAM.RemoveThis@hotmail.com> wrote:
:
: >
: >This post brought up my problem. Computer with 256K memory.
: >AMD K62-450 Anyone know what kind of mem chip I should
: >buy to boost it a little, like to 512? I don't have manual.
: >Thanks.
: >
:
: The typical PC100, 16 chip 256MB module should work. These
: days a "new" PC100 module mainly differs from PC133 in that
: it is the lower-density chips needed for your motherboard
: (chipset). Note that some motherboards may not cache over
: 384MB, I believe it has something to do with tag ram chip
: size but don't recall all the details. Point being, if you
: never use over 384MB of memory you might consider only
: adding another 128MB, but with use of > 384MB, the remainer
: of the uncached memory would still be faster than accessing
: the hard drive.
:
: Unless this is for a makeshift fileserver, I would question
: whether the K6/2-450 has enough performance for tasks
: requiring over 256MB of memory, it could be time to consider
: replacing the motherboard and CPU too instead of pouring
: more money into the system.
:
: You might find a deal on used PC100 memory, perhaps ebay or
: web for-sale forums, though it may be harder to determine
: what you're getting ahead of time.

I've been using it as a gateway, sort of, just an interface to the
net, so that a virus won't infect the other computers, in amateur
theory. I keep a Drive Image copy in case it gets infected or
a drive fails. Actually it's not really doing much now. I could
probably scrap it and save some space.

I sure wish Microsoft had a reasonable upgrade from XP Home
to Pro, as I want to have a machine that is strictly a rendering
engine and I need to have Pro to use remote desktop. I wonder
if anyone would trade my 2 xphomes for 1 xppro...
 >> Stay informed about: AMD-K7 Upgrade 

On Mon, 23 May 2005 02:36:36 -0700, "cat rancher"
<goodidea1950SPAM-SPAM RemoveThis @hotmail.com> wrote:

 >
 >"kony" <spam RemoveThis @spam.com> wrote in message
 >news:ec529155lr6h543gq5lfcs4fuep4n9lvfd@4ax.com...
 >: On Sat, 21 May 2005 19:58:54 -0700, "cat rancher"
 >: <goodidea1950SPAM-SPAM RemoveThis @hotmail.com> wrote:
 >:
 >: >
 >: >This post brought up my problem. Computer with 256K memory.
 >: >AMD K62-450 Anyone know what kind of mem chip I should
 >: >buy to boost it a little, like to 512? I don't have manual.
 >: >Thanks.
 >: >
 >:
 >: The typical PC100, 16 chip 256MB module should work. These
 >: days a "new" PC100 module mainly differs from PC133 in that
 >: it is the lower-density chips needed for your motherboard
 >: (chipset). Note that some motherboards may not cache over
 >: 384MB, I believe it has something to do with tag ram chip
 >: size but don't recall all the details. Point being, if you
 >: never use over 384MB of memory you might consider only
 >: adding another 128MB, but with use of > 384MB, the remainer
 >: of the uncached memory would still be faster than accessing
 >: the hard drive.
 >:
 >: Unless this is for a makeshift fileserver, I would question
 >: whether the K6/2-450 has enough performance for tasks
 >: requiring over 256MB of memory, it could be time to consider
 >: replacing the motherboard and CPU too instead of pouring
 >: more money into the system.
 >:
 >: You might find a deal on used PC100 memory, perhaps ebay or
 >: web for-sale forums, though it may be harder to determine
 >: what you're getting ahead of time.
 >
 >I've been using it as a gateway, sort of, just an interface to the
 >net, so that a virus won't infect the other computers, in amateur
 >theory. I keep a Drive Image copy in case it gets infected or
 >a drive fails. Actually it's not really doing much now. I could
 >probably scrap it and save some space.
 >
 >I sure wish Microsoft had a reasonable upgrade from XP Home
 >to Pro, as I want to have a machine that is strictly a rendering
 >engine and I need to have Pro to use remote desktop. I wonder
 >if anyone would trade my 2 xphomes for 1 xppro...
 >

Why do you feel you need more memory for a gateway?
You don't even need a hard drive, something like "Freesco"
can do it with a mere boot floppy and about 8MB of memory,
upwards of 12-16MB if you wanted to set up a time server
and/or webserver too.

As for the rendering, if it can be close to the other system
just use a KVM switch.<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: AMD-K7 Upgrade 

kony wrote:
 > On Sat, 21 May 2005 19:58:54 -0700, "cat rancher"
 > <goodidea1950SPAM-SPAM RemoveThis @hotmail.com> wrote:
 >
 >
  >>This post brought up my problem. Computer with 256K memory.
  >>AMD K62-450 Anyone know what kind of mem chip I should
  >>buy to boost it a little, like to 512? I don't have manual.
  >>Thanks.
  >>
 >
 >
 > The typical PC100, 16 chip 256MB module should work. These
 > days a "new" PC100 module mainly differs from PC133 in that
 > it is the lower-density chips needed for your motherboard
 > (chipset). Note that some motherboards may not cache over
 > 384MB, I believe it has something to do with tag ram chip
 > size but don't recall all the details. Point being, if you
 > never use over 384MB of memory you might consider only
 > adding another 128MB, but with use of > 384MB, the remainer
 > of the uncached memory would still be faster than accessing
 > the hard drive.
 >
 > Unless this is for a makeshift fileserver, I would question
 > whether the K6/2-450 has enough performance for tasks
 > requiring over 256MB of memory, it could be time to consider
 > replacing the motherboard and CPU too instead of pouring
 > more money into the system.
 >
 > You might find a deal on used PC100 memory, perhaps ebay or
 > web for-sale forums, though it may be harder to determine
 > what you're getting ahead of time.
 >


Crucial has a reasonable deal on PC100 16x8 256MB modules. Most of the
boards from that era can use these, and even a lot of the ones that the
manual says are limited to 256MB, you can usually take them to 512MB
this way, though it isn't a guarantee. I believe they wanted $67 for the
stick. This way you would be assued of having a low density module,
which is no guarantee if you shop around on places like pricewatch. Many
places will advertise low density, but when you get it it's a 4 chip
stick that you can't use. Big hassle.<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: AMD-K7 Upgrade 

"kony" <spam.TakeThisOut@spam.com> wrote in message
news:j1h3919sg6rs6uv9gr7g4ucu0s1lo9u8hm@4ax.com...
: On Mon, 23 May 2005 02:36:36 -0700, "cat rancher"
: <goodidea1950SPAM-SPAM.TakeThisOut@hotmail.com> wrote:
:
: >
: >"kony" <spam.TakeThisOut@spam.com> wrote in message
: >news:ec529155lr6h543gq5lfcs4fuep4n9lvfd@4ax.com...
: >: On Sat, 21 May 2005 19:58:54 -0700, "cat rancher"
: >: <goodidea1950SPAM-SPAM.TakeThisOut@hotmail.com> wrote:
: >:
: >: >
: >: >This post brought up my problem. Computer with 256K memory.
: >: >AMD K62-450 Anyone know what kind of mem chip I should
: >: >buy to boost it a little, like to 512? I don't have manual.
: >: >Thanks.
: >: >
: >:
: >: The typical PC100, 16 chip 256MB module should work. These
: >: days a "new" PC100 module mainly differs from PC133 in that
: >: it is the lower-density chips needed for your motherboard
: >: (chipset). Note that some motherboards may not cache over
: >: 384MB, I believe it has something to do with tag ram chip
: >: size but don't recall all the details. Point being, if you
: >: never use over 384MB of memory you might consider only
: >: adding another 128MB, but with use of > 384MB, the remainer
: >: of the uncached memory would still be faster than accessing
: >: the hard drive.
: >:
: >: Unless this is for a makeshift fileserver, I would question
: >: whether the K6/2-450 has enough performance for tasks
: >: requiring over 256MB of memory, it could be time to consider
: >: replacing the motherboard and CPU too instead of pouring
: >: more money into the system.
: >:
: >: You might find a deal on used PC100 memory, perhaps ebay or
: >: web for-sale forums, though it may be harder to determine
: >: what you're getting ahead of time.
: >
: >I've been using it as a gateway, sort of, just an interface to the
: >net, so that a virus won't infect the other computers, in amateur
: >theory. I keep a Drive Image copy in case it gets infected or
: >a drive fails. Actually it's not really doing much now. I could
: >probably scrap it and save some space.
: >
: >I sure wish Microsoft had a reasonable upgrade from XP Home
: >to Pro, as I want to have a machine that is strictly a rendering
: >engine and I need to have Pro to use remote desktop. I wonder
: >if anyone would trade my 2 xphomes for 1 xppro...
: >
:
: Why do you feel you need more memory for a gateway?
: You don't even need a hard drive, something like "Freesco"
: can do it with a mere boot floppy and about 8MB of memory,
: upwards of 12-16MB if you wanted to set up a time server
: and/or webserver too.
:
: As for the rendering, if it can be close to the other system
: just use a KVM switch.

I use the gateway to save the download files and email.
I do use a KVM and really like it but the new ones have
a switch for audio too. I never even thought of that.
: -)
 >> Stay informed about: AMD-K7 Upgrade