Switching CPU

[killercow]

I just got my new 2500+ Barton today and am going to switch it with my 1800+. My question is will it require me to change my system settings before swapping and when I do swap it will it not boot like what happened when I swapped mobo's?

Thanks

[Budfred]

As long as your mobo is compatible, it should swap without any problems.... Swapping the mobo is a big deal to your OS, but swapping RAM or CPU isn't that big a deal....

[killercow]

Hmmmm...
I have it installed and it runs fine but when I started it up only displayed it at 133mhz FSB rather than the 333Mhz. So I go into the BIOS and bump it up; but, it will only let me bump it up to 200MHz. So I set it up to 200 MHz and it says my processor is a 3100+ running at 2.2 GHz. What's up?

Also, is there any freebie download I can get that will display the processor's current speed (FSB and clocck) and temp frrom windows?

[Steve]

You sure you wouldn't rather set it at 166mhz? If I'm not mistaken, AMD doubles the processor speed to get the FSB. You might have that thing way overclocked.

[malcore]

Steve is right. You are now actually running your FSB at 400 (200x2).

To check speeds from windows, try CPU-Z (http://www.cpuid.com/cpuz.php) . For temps, MBM5.

Set your clock down to 166 for a Barton chip. (Unless you like the overclock, and all is stable.);)

[pave_spectre]

166Mhz is definitely correct in the BIOS for the 2500.

[killercow]

ok thanks, it is working stablely at 200, so I think i'll keet it there. Also thanks for the D/L, but is there one that will display temp? I'll also do a google.

[mooton]

Its funny you should ask that question killercow because I was just having that same misunderstanding with that same processor. I raised the FSB to 233 Mhz and it caused my system to hang!!!

[gwallen4]

OK. A Barton 2500+ is normally clocked at a FSB of 166MHz. Using DDR memory, the memory clocks at 333 MHz so you need PC2700, 333MHz memory.

If you clock the FSB at 200, you are overclocking the 2500+ and your memory. Luckily the 2500+ overclocks very nicely. You may want to check your CPU temps in bios. Under 50 C. is acceptable. Over 50 C. and you may want to lower the FSB speed or provide better cooling.

Your memory seems to be pretty good to be able to run at 400 MHz DDR. If you begin to have stability problems, memory speed is a factor to consider.

[CoachB22]

Killercow,
What Mobo are you working with
AND what brand RAM are you using?
Thanks!

[killercow]

With a volcano9 and AS3 it's running in the mid-30's C.

Coach:
You can check my profile, but it is:

Epox EP-8RDA+
512mb Kingston DDR333

[gwallen4]

Kingston makes two kinds of DDR RAM in several different speeds. The Value-RAM is their normal run-of-the-mill ram. The HyperX is the fast high quality stuff.

HyperX overclocks easily. I've heard that ValueRAM can also be overclocked.

So, if your system remains stable, it looks like you have a winner. Memory errors can cause unexpected freezes, BSOD's, and spontaneous reboots. If you start to experience any of those symptoms, you may have to change your settings. The Barton 2500+ should have no problem with a FSB clock of 200 MHz. When overclocked like that, a 2500+ becomes a 3200+.

[killercow]

I have the value-ram with some addons of my own, heatsinks/heat-spreaders etc. I haven't played really with the memory frequency, however.

I was considering the 3200+ but my friend told me to just get the 2500 to save money. It still has the same core and with proper cooling I can virtually turn it into a 3200+.

[gwallen4]

Memory speed on the Epox 8rda+ is set in bios as a ratio to FSB speed. I would assume that the default is that memory speed = FSB speed. In that case your memory would be clocked at 400 MHz (200MHz X 2).

[mjc]

Well, I would expect the heatspreaders to be helping some on that memory.

I think you may just have saved you self a few bucks and gotten a nice sweet system in the deal. But keep an eye on things over the next few days and be ready to drop it back to stock....

[malcore]

killer , if you go to the link I gave you above, they have another program called PCWizard (http://www.cpuid.com/pcw.php) . It will give you lots of info on system (a bit like Aida and Sandra) but also has sections for FSB, Memory and CPU speeds as well as a section for voltages, fans and temperatures.

I just gave it a try. Apart from launching slowly as it gathers info, its seems pretty good and should give you all the info you want from within Windows.

[killercow]

Thanks to all, and malcore thanks for the D/L... that's what I was looking for.