h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I've found out what my machine can deal with and the best I can get; I wondered how difficult it would be to replace it myself.

yep, several times.

I'm assuming you didn't build the machine yourself. If so, depends muchly on the cpu type. The fixing is usually *very* firm and you need to know the correct procedure to install the CPU correctly. Get it wrong and you could damage your motherboard, your CPU or both ending up with a dead computer.

However, I have installed various CPUs over the years and I've never broken one yet! What CPU you thinking of going for?

Oh, and are you getting just the CPU or replacing the CPU fan aswell? Bigger better CPU it is probably worth getting a decent fan for it, especially if the current setup is built by manufacturers.

The factory setup is for an AMD Sempron 3600, I've established I can get an Athlon 64 X2 in there. I wouldn't mind getting a better fan too, unfortunately at the moment the BIOS won't let me control it, or underclock or anything.

If I do it will you hold my hand?

also - have you checked your PSU? It *should* be OK but you need to check it outputs enough for the CPU and that your MB can handle it.

And, just nagging!, are you sure you Sempron is Socket AM2? They did do Socket 754 versions and the X2 won't fit a 754 socket. Will your MB handle a bus speed of the X2 if it is different (assume it is!).

Re: voltages - you will need a MB that can sort these. Many will autodetect but make sure - what MB is it? The sempron runs on 1.20/1.30/1.35V whilst the X2 runs 1.325/1.35/1.375V so the MB/PSU combo will need to be able to do that. Which it should, but worth checking.

Hold yer hand? How about this?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yn14oA6Db4k

It covers several different socket types. Is yours a spring clip or a screw down type heatsink? If it is the spring clip type then when it says "this may require some force" it ain't kidding. I hate this stage of the build as I'm always worried the screwdriver will slip and go through the MB! But never done it so far

I am certain it's an AM2 as I looked up the MB (it's an M2NC51-AR) when I upgraded the BIOS (thinking it would help)

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?lc=en&cc=us&docname=c00910076&dlc=en

Beyond that I'm not certain about the voltage or the socket.

ah, that should be fine. An Asus using the nforce 6150 chipset. Quite similar to my MB, should handle it all no probs. And it certainly seems to be socket AM2 as far as I can see. Not as much info as this is an MB produced specifically from HP I think.

Thanks for your help Icto. I'll have to watch the clip at home since I can't upgrade Flash at work.

no probs. Have a watch of it (and perhaps some of the related ones) and if you have any questions just ask!

Doesn't look too tricky... shame I can't watch it and follow the instructions at the same time. I may take the plunge in a day or so.

Meanwhile my less than 2-months old mp3 player has died.

Good luck with it, I'm sure you won't find it too difficult.

For less than 2-months old mp3 player, read barely a month. Fortunately Amazon.

Never mind, it's all right. The battery died and I couldn't get it recharging, but it's fine now.

As is Youtube at work

excellent!

Replacing the CPU and heatsink is pretty straightforward and easy. The thing is though that if it does go wrong it goes very wrong, hence my warnings above!

Follow the instructions (the new CPU/heatsink should come with fitting instructions anyway) and you'll be fine and waltzing off into multi-core land happily!

Got it - but er... the guy gave me a lump of silver paste (in a grubby plastic bag) to wipe over the chip when I put it in (?)

yep, there's a thermal paste that goes between the chip surface and the heatsink to ensure that there is a good thermal connection between the two. If not used the heatsink may not sit properly on the chip and thus hotspots could build up and lead to failure.
The paste is the thermal link and if you are reusing the existing heatsink, when you take it off you'll see where the old paste was and you need to add a bit more to ensure it all works.
A new heatsink *should* come with it on already, usually a pinkish or grayish square on the underside - don;t touch it as you might introduce unevenness and cause probs.

meant to add:

http://forums.techpowerup.com/showthread.php?t=6630

gives you some idea of the hows and whys - bear inmind the 'don't use too much' warning. Although, as I say, if you have a new heatsink boxed with the CPU then it should come pre-applied.

this seems a relevant thread too

http://forums.dvdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=37291

Oh okay. Saw some on the new heatsink - might have a problem using it though... can you guess what it is?

http://reviews.digitaltrends.com/images/full_reviews/hp/s3020/open_big.jpg

no room?