Decision on Upgrading which Computer

[colinwade]

My current computer is aging and I have been given another unit with a faster processor, and unsure how to proceed

I would appreciate your advice

Current Computer
(Purchased from Mesh Computers)

Spec: ASUSTeK Computer Inc:
System Model: Asus A7N8X2.0
BIOS version: Phoenix Tech. Ltd A7N8X2.0 Deluxe ACPI BIOS rev. 1005
Processor: AMD Athlon XP 1800+
1531 MHz
Memory: 1 GB
Operating System Windows XP

1. 133Hz Dual Channel Mode comes up on the screen in the Boot up sequence
2. Advised by Mesh when they upgraded the motherboard to the above that it
would go up to an XP3200+ processor

Acquired Computer
(Assembled by relative from parts – in working condition)

Spec: NVIDIA
System Model: AWRDACPI
BIOS version: Phoenix Tech. Ltd 6.00 PG 01/08/03
Processor: AMD Athlon XP 2600+
2088 MHz
Memory: 1GB
Operating System Windows XP

Question:
What would you recommend?
1. Remove XP2600+ processor and Ram memory from acquired Computer and plug into Mesh Computer
Or 2 Transfer Disc drives from Mesh Computer to acquired computer
3. If I did (1.) what would I need to do in the BIOS?
a. Anything before plugging in faster processor & memory
b. What would I need to do in the BIOS after starting the Boot Sequence?
c. Does 133Hz in Dual channel mode mean it is equivalent to 266Hz, (133*2 =266) or do I need to alter a field in the BIOS
4. If I did (2.) would I need to reload Windows XP

Kind Regards

[colinwade]

Is there someone out there who can help?

[NightshadowUK]

Slap the CPU (with HSF) from the acquired computer into your Mesh rig. Make sure you reset the CMOS before booting and the motherboard should do the rest for you.

And yeah it's known as PC133/266 so the memory from either computer should work.

[Viper81]

Unless there are any other benefits from using the home-built system (e.g. nicer case, more USB/Firewire ports on the motherboard etc) I go with what Nightshadow said and put the faster processor in the mesh system and transfer the extra memory.
Your motherboard may need a BIOS upgrade so I'd check the Asus site beforehand and see whether there are any later revisions.
If you went with the other option then a re-install of XP would be advisable, it may work without it (dependant on the HALs) but it would hardly be optimal
You haven't said whether you need the hard drive space but it might be nice to have the drive from the custom built pc as a slave in your mesh system anyway.
Hope that helps.

[colinwade]

Thanks Guys

A few of questions

1. What do I need to do in the CMOS Nightshadow? ( I am a rank amateur) and how do I get into it?

2. As the XP2600+ uses P2700 (166HZ) memory, and the XP1800+ PC2100, (133Hz) I intended to move the memory from the acquired machine to the Mesh Unit, then going into the BIOS on BOOT up by using <DEL> and making changes to
(i) Advanced Chipset features
i. Memory frequency changed from 133MHz to 166 MHz
ii. Clocks set from 6 to 7
Should I be doing something else?

3. Being an amateur, I am concerned with all the warnings on BIOS, which state you should only update if you have a problem, and you could screw the machine up if it goes wrong.
As the board was usable up to XP3200+, would I need to do this?

4. Does the latest BIOS always contain all the previous revisions?
ASUS BIOS revisions: Current 1005
(i) C1007 - Improve system stability with Hynix and PSC memory Modules
C1006 - Support new CPUs
C1005.002 The latest Beta BIOS

PC info from CPZ

Rated FSB MHz Bus Speed MHz Multiplier Core speed MHz Increase
XP 2600+ processor 334.1 167.1 12.5 2088.8 36%
XP 1800+ processor 266.3 133.2 11.5 1531.8

XP1800+ XP2600+
Mbytes Mbytes
Memory 1024 1024 DDR
Frequency 133.1 167.1
FSB: Dram 1:1 1:1
CAS# Latency 2.5 2.5 clocks
RAS# to CAS# 3 3 clocks
RAS# Precharge 3 3 clocks
Cycle time (Tras) 6 7 clocks


Cache
L1 Data cache 64 Kbytes 2 way Set associative 64 bytes line size
L1 Instruction cache 64 Mbytes 2 way Set associative 64 bytes line size
L2 256 KBytes 16 way set associative 64 bytes line size



I appreciate your help Guys!!

[Viper81]

Thanks Guys

A few of questions

2. As the XP2600+ uses P2700 (166HZ) memory, and the XP1800+ PC2100, (133Hz) I intended to move the memory from the acquired machine to the Mesh Unit, then going into the BIOS on BOOT up by using <DEL> and making changes to
(i) Advanced Chipset features
i. Memory frequency changed from 133MHz to 166 MHz
ii. Clocks set from 6 to 7
Should I be doing something else?

Ah, yes, overlooked this bit. You may not be able to use the old memory (PC2100) alongside the Mesh systems memory (PC2700) if you're upgrading to the newer processor as you'd end up underclocking it.
You can't change the memory frequency in the way you've suggested as the PC2100 won't run at PC2700 speeds (but it would work visa-versa).
You'd need to be able to change the FSB to DRAM ratio in your BIOS to get it to work (so that your FSB was running at 166 and your memory at 133) but I'm not sure you'd be able to do that, depends on your motherboard.
It would be easier (and better) to just pick up another 1Gb of PC2700 (try the 'wanted' forum, someone might be feeling generous ).

3. Being an amateur, I am concerned with all the warnings on BIOS, which state you should only update if you have a problem, and you could screw the machine up if it goes wrong.
As the board was usable up to XP3200+, would I need to do this?

BIOS upgrades aren't that much of an issue, just don't do them from within Windows Whether you need to do it or not depends on what your current BIOS version supports and it may be difficult to find this information.

4. Does the latest BIOS always contain all the previous revisions?
ASUS BIOS revisions: Current 1005
(i) C1007 - Improve system stability with Hynix and PSC memory Modules
C1006 - Support new CPUs
C1005.002 The latest Beta BIOS

Yes, each revision is an upgrade of the last so the information listed for the latest includes all the previous fixes/improvements.

[NightshadowUK]

The CMOS is a lil memory store used for saving the options set in your BIOS, so all clearing the CMOS does is wipe these settings and make the motherboard detect it's own defaults based on what you've got plugged into it.

It's linked to a watch battery on the board itself (you can't miss it) so while the official way of clearing the CMOS is to move a jumper, you may as well just pop the battery out (might need a screwdriver) for a minute or so. Just make sure there's no power running through anything.

As for the memory differences, 'Viper81' is right. If you slot in multiple RAM sticks of various speeds, you're motherboard will run them all at the speed of the slowest stick, in this case clocking your PC2700 down to PC2100.

I wouldn't recommend updating the BIOS unless it was really nessecary, if your current BIOS can handle an XP1800+, I can't see it having any trouble with an XP2600+ but if it does, we'll cross that bridge when we come to it.

I think the plan of action should be to remove the CPU, heatsink and RAM from your MESH PC, and replacement them with the components from the acquired computer. You'll need to remove the old TIM (themal paste) from between the XP2600+ and it's heatink, and replace it with some new paste as your fit it to your motherboard. Then clear your CMOS, and turn that baby on. While manually inputting your memory settings in the BIOS may not be necessary, it's always better to be safe than sorry so set it to 166MHz with CAS @ 2.5.

[colinwade]

Thanks Guys

I have changed the processor and the memory over, so the new configuration is an

a. XP2600+
b. 1.5 GB PC2700 memory

Currently working fine, although it crashed for some unknown reason once.

Question: What temperature should these processors run at?

I loaded ASUS PC Probe and was concerned about the recorded CPU temperature.

I noted in ASUS FAQ’s that it was normal for a CPU to be “a few degrees” lower in PC Probe than the BIOS Hardware Monitor reading, however, due to the software being able to put the processor in C1, C2, C3 mode, but

a. PC Probe is recording 49/ 53 C
b. BIOS is recording 69/ 73 C

20 C is a lot more than a few degrees

Which one will be correct?

My assumption is they are both using the same sensor, so why the difference?
When recording 49 C in ASUS PC probe, switching to reboot and going straight into BIOS, it was showing 76 C?

[james_d]

They're actually different sensors - a temp sensor on the board itself under the processor, and a thermal diode in the CPU. It's usual for them to be different, the temp sensor on the board has a kludge factor to get it reading right, and it's rarely done right.

Got pretty much the same system as yourself - 2600 & A7N8X. Temps were about what you've got till I got a better heatsink. Now they're much closer together, one says 40, the other 45.

Download Speedfan and use it instead of PC Probe as it reports both sensors.

[colinwade]

Thanks james_d that was really helpful

What is the maximum temperature an XP 2600 should run at?

Loaded Speedfan and it is peaking at 83 degrees, yet ASUS Probe still recording 49 degrees.

CPU fan at full power

[james_d]

Max die on those is 85 deg C. 83 is a little too close for comfort really.

How's the heat getting out of the case? Usually even the worst retail heatsink is good enough for these, but if the heats got nowhere to go it'll warm up.

[P_J_B]

Those temps do sound a bit hot. Were you able to clean the old thermal paste thoroughly off the CPU and HSF and then reapply some fresh stuff?


Also definitely worth checking case airflow as previously suggested. Does your system have intake and exhaust fans? Make sure your internal cables are routed as well as possible as these can disrupt airflow.

[colinwade]

Thanks james_d & P_J_B

Re-installed heatsink and CPU diode temp down to 55 in idle & 64 max on 100% load

Many Thanks