ok number 1:
i am going to buy a new processor to replace my old amd sempron 2600a+ as it is only a 1.6ghz what i want to know is do i just take my old one out and put the new one in i know how to put them in (using thermal grease and such) just not sure about replacing them, also how do i find out the number of pins in this one to make sure i buy the right type when i get a new one.

number 2
i am going to buy some new ram i am going from 512 ram to 2gb ram how do i make sure i buy the right type that will work with my mobo and processor etc?

number 3
i am also going from 128mb graphics to 256mb do i just take the old card out and put a new one in or do i get rid of the old drivers etc before i replace them.

any help would be appreciated thanks.

If I was doing it,I would go to a store & ask the manager if I could bring in the computer & show it to them & go from there.

I added RAM to mine.
I went to Circiut City & asked the clerk about it.
He went to the shelf & opened up a model like mine & pointed to the slot & said,"Put it there".
I did & it worked.
He was helpful.

Establishing the amount of pins isn't enough to make sure the processor is compatible. You need to go to the website of the motherboard manufacturer and see which processors are supported. It is also possible that you need to update the BIOS to get support for newer processors.

The motherboard manufacturer often have a Qualified Vendors List (QVL) of supported RAM, which can be found on their website. You can also use something like Crucial Memory Adviser Tool to find compatible RAM.

Uninstall the old drivers first, then switch cards and install the new drivers.

When upgrading it is also possible that you need to upgrade the PSU to help it handle the increased load. Especially if you upgrade the processors, RAM or video card.

It's also possible that the BIOS will have to be flashed to support a faster processor. When I built my computer, I read up on it first and found that a lot of people were having to flash the BIOS to support the AMD 3000+ but it wasn't necessary with mine because by the time I got it the BIOS had already been revised. But an older motherboard may have an earlier BIOS version.

Btw your proc is a 754 pin.
if u are considering such an upgrade, why not consider the mainboard. a 939 pin (next amd proc up the echelon) will give you much more scalability, and cache is also better on the chips designed for this board. a 939 pin can house the newer dual core arcitecture and you can also upgrade to an FX series chip. if u stay with 754 pin, you are stuck with sempron, (lower end amd). BTW just because it clocks itself at 1.6ghz, does not mean it runs equivilant to an Intel 1.6 ghz chip! it has the capability to process data at a seemingly faster rate.
i would advise u to upgrade your board before anything, this gives you the scalibility for futurre.

If the computer is still running use Everest Home or Belarc Diagnostic Tool. They will tell you everything you want to know.

ok thanks guys i think i will upgrade my board and processor and do the ram and gfx at a later time, erm another question then lol can i just buy a board with 939pin or do i need to get something to do with compatability or something i know about getting one with agp etc i know all this from when i built the pc that im upgrading and do i just take the board out and put the new one in? also will my ram run on the new board because i know some ram types dont run on certian boards and chips.

well, your sempron 754 pin/board takes DDR memory, as a new 939. yes u are quite rigth about compatibility issues, however, the newer boards have more tolerance than the older boards. saying that, you can check out the manufacturer's site and it will tell you about compatibility with certain brands of ram. bear in mind too, most decent boards have no on-board video, so if you decide to go pci express, you will have to also buy a vid as well as a BOARD/CHIP. so either save up, or stick with an agp card. A8V by Asus is a decent AGP board if u stick to it.
lol, yes u can get away with a board/chip purchase and not have to buy any more hardware.

hello:

also just for info >>> a PCI express video card offers no real world advantage over an AGP card of equal class >>>> but PCI express will and is currently replacing the AGP video card >>>> and if someone desires running an SLI system (two video cards working in tandem) that will automatically go you into the PCI express world

but if I were in your boots

I would get a 939 pin motherboard (asus, abit or MSI) with AGP and get the CPU you have described that will give you a good kick without totally killing the pig >>>(piggy bank)

ok i used belarc and it said this is my motherboard
Board: SiS-741
Serial Number: UY7244410155
Bus Clock: 167 megahertz
BIOS: Phoenix Technologies, LTD 6.00 PG 07/22/2004

does anyone know the size of this board because ive heard that some cases only take certian sized boards and figured that is this size works ok ill get a better board on the same size.

its not the sixe of your board that counts...............ah......lol.. its the size of your case.sis-741, btw is the chipset on your board, not the name of it. when you boot your computer, it will tell u the name of the board, either a big splash screen, or, where it "counts" the ram (POST) it displays it here too.you can hit "pause/break" key on your kb to freeze the screen so you can fing it. then hit esc key to un pause it.

The SiS-741 appears to be the intergrated video and not your motherboard.

ok its pretty obvious i dont know much about hardware so ive copied and pasted the page from belarc.

Operating System System Model
Windows XP Home Edition Service Pack 2 (build 2600) Enclosure Type: Desktop
Processor a Main Circuit Board b
1.67 gigahertz AMD Athlon XP
128 kilobyte primary memory cache
256 kilobyte secondary memory cache Board: SiS-741
Serial Number: UY7244410155
Bus Clock: 167 megahertz
BIOS: Phoenix Technologies, LTD 6.00 PG 07/22/2004
Drives Memory Modules c,d
122.93 Gigabytes Usable Hard Drive Capacity
76.45 Gigabytes Hard Drive Free Space

AOPEN DVD1648/AAP PRO [CD-ROM drive]

Maxtor 6Y120L0 [Hard drive] (122.94 GB) -- drive 0 512 Megabytes Installed Memory

Slot 'A0' has 256 MB
Slot 'A1' has 256 MB
Slot 'A2' is Empty
Slot 'A3' is Empty
Local Drive Volumes

c: (NTFS on drive 0) 122.93 GB 76.45 GB free

Network Drives
None detected
Users (mouse over user name for details) Printers
local user accounts last logon
Ivo 14/03/2006 11:37:38 (admin)
local system accounts
Administrator never (admin)
Guest never
HelpAssistant never
SUPPORT_388945a0 never


Marks a disabled account; Marks a locked account None detected
Controllers Display
Standard floppy disk controller
Primary IDE Channel [Controller]
Secondary IDE Channel [Controller]
SiS 5513 IDE UDMA Controller NVIDIA GeForce FX 5200 [Display adapter]
ADI CORP [Monitor] (12.9"vis, s/n 016L00103180, March 1997)
Bus Adapters Multimedia
SiS 7001 PCI to USB Open Host Controller (2x)
SiS PCI to USB Enhanced Host Controller Realtek AC'97 Audio
Communications Other Devices

D-Link AirPlus G+ DWL-G520+ Wireless PCI Adapter
primary Auto IP Address: 192.168.1.5 / 24
Gateway: 192.168.1.1
Dhcp Server: 192.168.1.1
Physical Address: 00:11:95:15:EA:90
SiS 900-Based PCI Fast Ethernet Adapter
Physical Address: 00:01:6C:3D:80:2C
WAN (PPP/SLIP) Interface
IP Address: 172.188.100.173 / 32
Physical Address: 00:53:45:00:00:00

Networking Dns Servers: 192.168.1.1
205.188.146.145
DaulCamera
Standard 101/102-Key or Microsoft Natural PS/2 Keyboard
PS/2 Compatible Mouse
USB Root Hub (3x)
Virus Protection [Back to Top]
Norton AntiVirus Version 10.00
Virus Definitions Version 10/11/2005 Rev 9
Last Disk Scan on 03 March 2006 20:49:55
Realtime File Scanning Off

Missing Microsoft Security Hotfixes [Back to Top]
These required security hotfixes (using the 02/14/2006 Microsoft Security Bulletin Summary) were not found installed. Note: CIS benchmarks require that Critical and Important severity security hotfixes must be installed.
Q873339 - Important (details...)
Q885250 - Critical (details...)
Q885835 - Important (details...)
Q885836 - Important (details...)
Q887472 - Moderate (details...)
Q888113 - Important (details...)
Q888302 - Important (details...)
Q890046 - Moderate (details...)
Q890859 - Important (details...)
Q891781 - Important (details...)
Q893756 - Important (details...)
Q896358 - Critical (details...)
Q896422 - Critical (details...)
Q896423 - Critical (details...)
Q896424 - Critical (details...)
Q896428 - Moderate (details...)
Q899587 - Moderate (details...)
Q899591 - Moderate (details...)
Q900725 - Important (details...)
Q901017 - Important (details...)
Q901214 - Critical (details...)
Q902400 - Important (details...)
Q904706 - Critical (details...)
Q905414 - Moderate (details...)
Q905749 - Important (details...)
Q905915 - Critical (details...)
Q908519 - Critical (details...)
Q911564 - Important (details...)
Q911565 - Critical (details...)
Q911927 - Important (details...)
Q912919 - Critical (details...)
Q913446 - Important (details...)

Installed Microsoft Hotfixes [Back to Top]
Internet Explorer
SP2 (SP2)
Windows XP
SP3
KB885295 on 17/02/2006 (details...)
No details available


Click here to see all available Microsoft security hotfixes for this computer.

Marks a security hotfix (using the 02/14/2006 Microsoft Security Bulletin Summary)
Marks a hotfix that verifies correctly
Marks a hotfix that fails verification (note that failing hotfixes need to be reinstalled)
Unmarked hotfixes lack the data to allow verification


Click here for Belarc's System Management products, for large and small companies.

Software Licenses [Back to Top]

Belarc - Advisor e8bc6bc6
Microsoft - Internet Explorer 76477-OEM-0060726-21336 (Key: MVVVK-KBTV7-FRGKB-FK6YY-DF39M)e
Microsoft - WebFldrs XP 12345-111-1111111-52681
Microsoft - Windows XP Home Edition 76477-OEM-0060726-21336 (Key: MVVVK-KBTV7-FRGKB-FK6YY-DF39M)e
Symantec - MSRedist 1
Symantec - Norton AntiSpam 1
Symantec - Norton AntiVirus 1
Symantec - Norton Internet Security 1
Valve - Half-Life® 2 1
Westwood - Red Alert 2 3579347568241846543496

Software Versions (mouse over * for details, click * for location) [Back to Top]
Adobe Reader Version 6.0.0.2003051900 *
America Online Version 9.00.001 *
America Online, Inc - AOL Connectivity Service Version 2.6.6.3.UK.53 *
America Online, Inc. - AOL Connectivity Service Version 2.6.6.3.UK.53 *
America Online, Inc. - AOL Version 10.6.6.3.UK.53 *
America Online, Inc. - AOL Version 9.00.001 *
America's Army *
AOLSP Scheduler Version 1, 0, 0, 74 *
Apple Computer, Inc. - iTunes Version 6.0.2.23 *
Apple Computer, Inc. - QuickTime QuickTime 7.0.4 *
Belarc, Inc. - Advisor Version 7.1g *
Bethesda Softworks Morrowind Launcher Version 1, 0, 0, 1 *
Bethesda Softworks TES Construction Set Version 1.2.0722 *
Cinematronics - 3D Pinball Version 5.1.2600.2180 *
Command & Conquer Generals *
Command & Conquer Generals Zero Hour *
Cucusoft DVD Ripper Version 1, 0, 0, 1 *
CyberLink Corp. - CLDMA Version 1, 0, 0, 2502 *
CyberLink Corp. - PowerDVD Version 5.00.0905 *
D-Link - D-Link AirPlus G+ Wireless Adapter Utility Version 2, 4, 0, 1 *
Dark Basic 3D Reset Tool Version 1, 0, 0, 0 *
Dark Basic Programming Tool Version 1, 1, 0, 0 *
DeliveryAgent Application Version 1, 0, 0, 1 *
Dobermann - Halo Zero Version 1.1.8.3 *
Download Driver *
EAsy System Info *
Electronic Arts - WorldBuilder Application Version 0, 8, 0, 0 *
Empire Interactive - Bubble Bobble Release 1.0.0 *
Empire Interactive - Rainbow Islands Release 1.0.0 *
EReg Application Version 3, 0, 0, 0 *
FLMBROWSEMOUSE Version 3.0.0.0 *
Freeciv *
GTek Technologies Ltd. - GTCoach Version 3, 0, 0, 1 *
hl2.exe *
Inno Setup Version 51.42.0.0 *
Install fight_club.exe *
Install mksubzero.exe *
InstallDriver Module Version 7.07 *
iPod Universal Updater Version 4.5 *
Jagex Ltd - RuneScape Windows Client Version 1.0.0.2 *
Macromedia, Inc. - Shockwave Flash Version 7,0,19,0 *
Macrovision Corporation - InstallDriver Module Version 11.00 *
Macrovision Corporation - InstallShield ® Version 11.00 *
Microsoft ® Windows Script Host Version 5.6.0.8820 *
Microsoft Corporation - Age of Empires II Version 2.0a *
Microsoft Corporation - Halo Version 01.00.07.0613 *
Microsoft Corporation - Internet Explorer Version 6.00.2900.2180 *
Microsoft Corporation - Messenger Version 4.7.3000 * Microsoft Corporation - MSN Messenger Version 7.5.0311 *
Microsoft Corporation - Windows Installer - Unicode Version 3.0.3790.2180 *
Microsoft Corporation - Windows Movie Maker Version 2.1.4026.0 *
Microsoft Corporation - Windows® NetMeeting® Version 3.01 *
Microsoft Corporation - Zone.com Version 1.2.626.1 *
Microsoft Data Access Components Version 3.525.1117.0 *
Microsoft® Windows Media Player Version 9.00.00.3250 *
Microsoft® .NET Framework Version 2.0.50215.44 *
MOffice Application Version 1, 0, 0, 1 *
Multi-Media Keyboard Application Version 2.0.0.0 *
NVIDIA Driver Helper Service, Version 77.30 Version 6.14.10.7730 *
Pawn 2 *
PCCam *
Perez Computing Services - AA Server Manager Version 1.0.0.1 *
Play UT2003 *
RealNetworks, Inc. - RealPlayer (32-bit) Version 6.0.9.584 *
Realtek Semiconductor Corp. - RtlRack Application Version 1.9.0.0 *
Realtek Sound Manager Version 5.1.0.24 *
Red Alert 2 *
Red Alert 2 Uninstall *
Runescape Xplorer 3 Updater Application Version 1.50830.0.0 *
Runescape Xplorer 3 Version 1.51023.0.0 *
Shortcut to crawl *
Silicon Integrated Systems Corp. - SiS SiSUSBrg Version 1, 0, 0, 1 *
Silicon Integrated Systems Corporation - SIS ® Compatible Super VGA keyboard daemon Version 0.0.0.3590 *
Silicon Integrated Systems Corporation - SiS ® Compatible Super VGA SiSTray application Version 0.0.0.3590 *
Sun Microsystems, Inc. - Java™ 2 Platform Standard Edition 5.0 Update 6 Version 5.0.60.5 *
Symantec AntiVirus AutoProtect Version 9.2 *
Symantec Corporation - Common Client Version 2.1.5.1 *
Symantec Corporation - LiveUpdate Version 2.6.14.0 *
Symantec Corporation - Norton AntiVirus Version 10.00.13 *
Symantec Corporation - Norton Internet Security Version 7.0 *
Symantec Integrator Version 6.5.806 *
Symantec ScriptBlocking Version 1, 1, 1, 131 *
Symantec Security Drivers Version 5.4 *
Symantec Shared Components Version 3.0 *
synthetic-reality.com - Well of Souls Version 1, 0, 0, 1 *
TODO: Version 1.0.0.1 *
uninst00 Application Version 1, 0, 0, 1 *
UpdateIPR.exe *
USB DSC Version 1, 8, 2, 22 *
UT2003 Editor *
Valve - Condition Zero Launcher Version 1, 0, 0, 0 *
Valve - Steam Installer Version 1.0.0.0 *
Valve Corporation - Steam Version 1.0.0.0 *
Valve Hammer Editor ™ Version 3.4 *
Videora iPod Converter Version 1.0.2141.24358 *

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

i hope this helps.

ok sorry to revive a dead topic but can someone tell me what type of ram this motherboard would need thanks

This is what is in the ad on the link...

ok thanks acklan .

yo, hold up a second. Is this board for the same upgrade you had talked about last month(beggining of topic)? The board you linked to is an Intel board so you will need an Intel chip. Now that I think for a second you could upgrade to an Intel chip, but if you want to stay with AMD dont get that board. Just thought I'd point that out, but you probably already knew that!

yes i knew that ive actually decided to make a new pc, reason being that with these upgrades im planning id be replacing everything except the case and HDD so im just gonna make a whole new one and probably sell this one as i have 2 others already.