AMD-K7 Upgrade

  • Thread starter Thread starter Bennett Price
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Bennett Price

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.
 
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.
 
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
Click to expand...

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
 
Bennett Price said:
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.
Click to expand...

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
 
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.
Click to expand...


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.
 
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.
Click to expand...

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.
 
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.
 
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.
Click to expand...

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.
 
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.
Click to expand...

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.
 
: On Sat, 21 May 2005 19:58:54 -0700, "cat rancher"
:
: >
: >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...
 
: On Sat, 21 May 2005 19:58:54 -0700, "cat rancher"
:
: >
: >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...
Click to expand...

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.
 
kony said:
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.
Click to expand...


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.
 
: On Mon, 23 May 2005 02:36:36 -0700, "cat rancher"
:
: >
: >: >: On Sat, 21 May 2005 19:58:54 -0700, "cat rancher"
: >:
: >: >
: >: >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.
: -)
 
: 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.
Click to expand...

Well then it's a bit more than a Gateway, at least a
fileserver or share too.
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.
: -)
Click to expand...

For only a 2nd system you could simply route the 2nd
system's audio-out line to the first system's audio-in on
the soundcard.
 
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.
Click to expand...

I doubt a socket 7 board will accept (use) 512MB memory
modules, they were typically limited to 256MB per slot.
Even so, Crucial is a good option due to their compatibility
guarantee. I agree that you can't always trust advertised
specs, particularly from memory vendors not specializing in
memory rather than selling it as one of many other
products-in-general... some vendors don't know much at all
about computer tech.

Some are just dishonest... I once bought a stick of P100
that a vendor had slapped a generic "PC133" label on, even
though the module (and the chips) were spec'd as only PC100.
They kept insisting it was indeed PC133 even after I
provided reference to the chip documentation spec'ing it as
100MHz max.
 
kony said:
I doubt a socket 7 board will accept (use) 512MB memory
modules, they were typically limited to 256MB per slot.
Even so, Crucial is a good option due to their compatibility
guarantee. I agree that you can't always trust advertised
specs, particularly from memory vendors not specializing in
memory rather than selling it as one of many other
products-in-general... some vendors don't know much at all
about computer tech.

Some are just dishonest... I once bought a stick of P100
that a vendor had slapped a generic "PC133" label on, even
though the module (and the chips) were spec'd as only PC100.
They kept insisting it was indeed PC133 even after I
provided reference to the chip documentation spec'ing it as
100MHz max.
Click to expand...

I was referring to 512MB total system memory, not 512MB in a single DIMM
slot. I suppose I should have been more clear. Most 440XX and 810XX
systems could easily accomodate 2x256MB sticks(and a few other chipsets
of that era by VIA), though the manuals would tell you 256MB max total
system memory and 128MB max per DIMM slot. Some of the boards with 3
slots though are a little pickier, some would recognize 1 256MB stick
but not 2 256MB sticks - but you could still get to 512 by throwing in a
pair 128's, a few of the compaq boards come to mind that were
exceptionally picky. Most of the Dells, Emachines, HP's of that era
advertised a memory restriction lower than what it was actually capable
of, the key was making sure you used 16x8 configuration on it.


Most of the marking problems I've come across are PC133 that isn't
backwards compatable (for instance PNY memory, they swithed pretty early
to making theirs not backwards compatable), high density marked and sold
as low density. Last time I looked on price watch for low density 16x8
PC100/133 the first 20-30 listings were selling high density memory even
though they advertised it as low density. At least with Crucial you can
call them up and ask if it isn't listed and get someone who has a clue
what you talking about and compare it against the micron book. If they
ship it to you and it isn't, they will take it back no problems. The
retailers on pricewatch mostly know they are selling stuff marked low
density that is actually high density, that is why they have such high
restocking fees. They are simply dishonest sellers and know it.

It definitely pays to look at reseller ratings if you are comparison
shopping on pricewatch, they have some real sleaze listed.
 
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