Solve : New Processor?

1.	Solve : New Processor?
Answer» Hi! I'm upgrading my computer (Packard Bell S3210) piece by piece, and have so far bought 2x2GB DDR2 RAM, A Cooler Master chassi, and a 630W PSU. Next up I'm thinking about either changing my graphics card, or my processor. I can only do one thing at the time, because I can't afford it else. A graphics card will probably hold to my new mobo and so on too when I buy one, but the processor is another story. At the moment I have an AMD Athlon(tm) Processor LE-1660 cpu and a WMCP78M mobo. I've read about my socket being like AM2 or AM2+ and that the newer AM3 sockets have backwards compatibility. My question is: Could I buy an AMD Phenom x4 and use on this mobo, and the next one I buy, or would it not work at all. Please notice: I want to know if I CAN do this and increase my performance, not that "You should buy a new mobo instead". If I can't increase my performance with that cpu, please tell, but don't go about telling me to upgrade my mobo, because I'm already working on that.The Phenom X4s are AM2+, the Phenom II X4s are AM3. AM3 sockets are not backwards compatible-however, you can put an AM3 processor in an AM2 socket(I'm doing this now.) Although Socket AM3 processors can be used on Socket AM2+ motherboards, the opposite is not possible. This type of damage is not covered under warranty. http://support.amd.com/us/kbarticles/Pages/CPU-6-socket-am2-plus-phenom-ii-compatibility-alert.aspx Apparently some Phenom IIs are AM2+. Be careful not to buy the wrong type of processor. Phenom (first generation, i.e. no II) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phenom_(processor) Phenom II http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phenom_IIQuote from: Transfusion on September 18, 2011, 02:19:17 AM Apparently some Phenom IIs are AM2+. AMD released the Socket AM2+ version of Phenom II in December 2008, and Socket AM3 versions were released in February 2009. Ok. put it this way: I've READ about diffrent sockets. I don't understand them fully. If/When I change my processor, I'll let a computershop do it for me, but I STILL need to find the PARTS somewhat on my own. I'm familiar with computers software. Hardware... not so much. Please tell me: Will a Phenom processor work? and Can I use it on a new mobo in say... 1=>2yrs? If the PhenomII doesn't work, please say so, I don't REALLY get all those sockets. (Sorry for my lack of knowledge in this area.)1. Your motherboard has an AM2 socket. 2. You can put a Phenom II x4 AM3 processor in your socket. 3. You may need to flash your BIOS and your PSU may not be rated highly enough. 4. Most of these OEM systems by Dell, Packard Bell, Acer, etc are not really designed for processor upgrade. 5. You may need a new motherboard. 6. Better to sell the system as it is and buy all new parts. Thank you Salmon Trout for your simple and direct answer! Thank all of you for your help! I'll go on and speak to the people in the computershop, to figure the last couple of things out.

Answer»

Hi!

I'm upgrading my computer (Packard Bell S3210) piece by piece, and have so far bought 2x2GB DDR2 RAM, A Cooler Master chassi, and a 630W PSU.

Next up I'm thinking about either changing my graphics card, or my processor. I can only do one thing at the time, because I can't afford it else.

A graphics card will probably hold to my new mobo and so on too when I buy one, but the processor is another story.

At the moment I have an AMD Athlon(tm) Processor LE-1660 cpu and a WMCP78M mobo.

I've read about my socket being like AM2 or AM2+ and that the newer AM3 sockets have backwards compatibility.

My question is: Could I buy an AMD Phenom x4 and use on this mobo, and the next one I buy, or would it not work at all.

Please notice: I want to know if I CAN do this and increase my performance, not that "You should buy a new mobo instead". If I can't increase my performance with that cpu, please tell, but don't go about telling me to upgrade my mobo, because I'm already working on that.The Phenom X4s are AM2+, the Phenom II X4s are AM3.

AM3 sockets are not backwards compatible-however, you can put an AM3 processor in an AM2 socket(I'm doing this now.)

Although Socket AM3 processors can be used on Socket AM2+ motherboards, the opposite is not possible. This type of damage is not covered under warranty.
http://support.amd.com/us/kbarticles/Pages/CPU-6-socket-am2-plus-phenom-ii-compatibility-alert.aspx
Apparently some Phenom IIs are AM2+. Be careful not to buy the wrong type of processor.

Phenom (first generation, i.e. no II)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phenom_(processor)

Phenom II
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phenom_IIQuote from: Transfusion on September 18, 2011, 02:19:17 AM

Apparently some Phenom IIs are AM2+.

AMD released the Socket AM2+ version of Phenom II in December 2008, and Socket AM3 versions were released in February 2009.

Ok. put it this way: I've READ about diffrent sockets. I don't understand them fully. If/When I change my processor, I'll let a computershop do it for me, but I STILL need to find the PARTS *somewhat* on my own.

I'm familiar with computers software. Hardware... not so much. Please tell me: Will a Phenom processor work? and Can I use it on a new mobo in say... 1=>2yrs?

If the PhenomII doesn't work, please say so, I don't REALLY get all those sockets.

(Sorry for my lack of knowledge in this area.)1. Your motherboard has an AM2 socket.
2. You can put a Phenom II x4 AM3 processor in your socket.
3. You may need to flash your BIOS and your PSU may not be rated highly enough.
4. Most of these OEM systems by Dell, Packard Bell, Acer, etc are not really designed for processor upgrade.
5. You may need a new motherboard.
6. Better to sell the system as it is and buy all new parts.

Thank you Salmon Trout for your simple and direct answer!

Thank all of you for your help!

I'll go on and speak to the people in the computershop, to figure the last couple of things out.

Solve : New Processor?

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