 Processor Upgrade |
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 Oct 10 2008, 02:37 AM
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New Member  Group: Members Posts: 6 Joined: 28-January 07 Member No.: 108,835  |
 I am currently running an AMD 64X2 Dual Core Processor 4200+ 991 MHz with 3Gb of RAM. The processor/mobo was a store bought computer with 1gb of RAM and an NVidia 7500LE inside. I have since put an extra 2gb of RAM in and replaced the 7500 with an 8800GT. Even with this amount of RAM, the computer still lags, on startup and general use. I figure this is because of the new card, so I want to ask: Would upgrading the processor speed the computer up? I ask only about the processor since I don't want to buy a new motherboard + new RAM. If so, what specs/brands should I be looking for? My budget is about $300 and below. Does replacing the processor require me to install another version of Windows or is this only if I change the motherboard? I generally use the computer for browsing, gaming and graphic programs (ie Photoshop, Rhino, CATIA etc) Thanks for any help or input |
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Oct 10 2008, 05:16 AM
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 Distinguished Member Group: BC Advisor Posts: 617 Joined: 28-January 06 From: Australia Member No.: 52,817 |
I think you should eliminate other causes of lags and performance issues before considering the CPU - a 4200+ should work smoothly for you.
Where is the 991 MHz figure showing? The 4200+ is a 2.2 GHz CPU. If the figure is just the one showing in the General tab of System Properties, it probably just indicates the CPU throttled down at system idle. But have you tried turning off Cool & Quiet in the BIOS setup, and checking if the system does run at the correct clock speed and if this alters the lagging? -------------------- Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience
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Oct 10 2008, 05:57 AM
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New Member Group: Members Posts: 6 Joined: 28-January 07 Member No.: 108,835 |
Thanks for responding. Yeah, the 991 was just in the general tab on system properties, it says 1.79GHz now.
Sorry, what is the cool and quiet? I've only glanced through the bios setting. I haven't done any overclocking. |
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Oct 10 2008, 07:15 AM
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Distinguished Member Group: BC Advisor Posts: 617 Joined: 28-January 06 From: Australia Member No.: 52,817 |
Cool & Quiet (or Cool'n'Quiet) is AMD's implementation of stepping down CPU clock speed to reduce heat output when the system is lightly loaded:
http://www.amd.com/us-en/Processors/Produc...5E10272,00.html Some folk have felt it can make the system feel unresponsive. In the BIOS setup accessed during boot up, there will be options to disable the Cool 'n' Quiet feature and have the CPU run at full speed all the time. It's one thing to try to see if that's a cause for at least part of the lag you notice. If that cures it, we'd know, but if it makes no difference, or helps but there's still lag, we can investigate other possibilities. -------------------- Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience
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Oct 10 2008, 04:21 PM
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New Member Group: Members Posts: 6 Joined: 28-January 07 Member No.: 108,835 |
I browsed the AMD website and downloaded the newest processor driver, because I had a scan through the BIOS at startup (F1), and there was no mention of the Cool and Quiet. Even after installing the processor driver, there is no C&Q in the BIOS settings.
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