Upgrading AMD K6-2 Processor

[xerxes013]

I have a Compaq Presario 5062 with an AMD K6-2 333MHz processor. The max my motherboard can handle is 550MHz. Can I upgrade the processor myself? All I've ever done is install more RAM. If I can do it myself, can someone recommend a site with good instructions on how to? I've already downloaded compaq's 4951 Maintenance & Service Guide but their info is bare bones.

Where's a good site to order parts?

Thanks
xerxes013

[iisbob]

Can I upgrade the processor myself?

Hmmmm, that's not a question we can answer for you, it depends on how technically minded ( and patient ) you are.

Yes, you can upgrade the CPU-but you're not really going to see much of an improvement just by going up a couple of hundred MHZ.

The memory upgrade you've performed will give this system it's best boost.

You'd be better off saving your money and buying a newer motherboard that supports the K7 series Athlon's and upgrading to it. I realize that the Compaq case you're using will not allow you to add a different board, so you'd have to buy a new case.

If you'd like to research parts/service-try www.newegg.com, (http://www.newegg.com,) it's where i and many others go to purchase our parts.

Here's a basic guide to cpu installation-CPU install (http://www.acmehowto.com/howto/pc/hardware/cpu/replace.htm) , this'll give you the basics'.

Good luck on your decision. http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/smile.gif



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iisbob

Computer-Show me the Enterprise; no bloody A, no bloody B, and no bloody C-just the original...Mr Scott { from a STNG episode }

[pentachris]

I ordered a k6-2 550 from www.pcsupplysource.com (http://www.pcsupplysource.com) a few months ago. About $50 with FedEx shipping, arrived a few days later. Can't get the website to pull up now, though.

Replacing the chip is easy. Four screws hold the fan to the heatsink. A clip holds the heatsink flush to the chip. Be careful with that clip - some boards are cramped and have chips and things very near where it fits on either side, making it easy to bump or scrape something that doesn't need to be bumped or scraped. A lever on the side of the socket pulls out slightly from underneath a tab holding it down. Pull the lever up vertical, pull the old chip out.

Line up the pins on the new chip with the holes in the socket. Just look at the pins and the holes - it's not hard to see which way it should go. The chip drops right in - "Zero Insertion Force." Clean any thermal compound residue off the bottom of the heatsink, clip it on and replace the fan. The K6 chips don't run very hot - if the clip holds the heatsink on tightly and the fan is in good shape, there's a reasonable chance you can get away without using thermal paste.

To be safe though, right before you insert the new chip should drop a dot (maybe two bb's in size) of thermal grease on it's clean top. Stick your finger in a sandwich baggie and rub it in with your plastic coated finger. Evenly coat the surface inside of the "valley" around the perimeter, rubbing it in just a bit to work it into the microscopic cracks. Stay inside of that "valley" to keep the grease from oozing over the edge when you press the heatsink on.

And of course don't forget to check and change the jumpers for front side bus (or "system clock"), cpu multiplier and cpu voltage. On a k6-2, it's 100mhz * 5.5 at, I think, 2.4V.

Something to consider: k6-3's are socket 7 chips also, with faster cache and significantly more of it than the k6-2's (128KB vs 32KB, I think). Expect to sped $50-$55 for a k6-3 in the 400 mhz range as opposed to $30-$35 for a k6-2 550, plus shipping. The slightly slower chip will outperform the faster one due to the increased cache.

Good luck! http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/smile.gif

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Some mistakes are too much fun to make only once.

[This message has been edited by pentachris (edited 04-25-2002).]

[hiredgoonz]

The voltage for that chip is 2.3V...but 2.4 wouldn't hurt it.

You may see a performance increase with that speed increase. It's actually a jump of 217.5 mhz or 65% over your old speed. (the 333 K6-2 had a 3.5 mulitplier and 95mhz front side bus for 332.5mhz) Plus you're gaining 5mhz on the fsb...

Pentachris covered the install process perfectly, and I agree that you might be better off checking on the K6-3, it will be a bigger performance increase.

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When all else fails, read the instructions.

Microsoft Knowledge Base (http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;rid;kbinfo)

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[randyrhoads1981]

That processor alone would be at least 35 to 50 dollars..check out www.tigerdirect.com (http://www.tigerdirect.com) they have a Super Socket seven motherboard WITH a AMD 450MHZ fot about 80 dollars but you would have to reinstall your Windows going this route. Myself i would invest in a socket 370 if your looking for better performance as cheap as you can. Most all have built in video and sound that should be way better than your current if you havent already upgraded it.

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[BigBlue66]

I have an AMD K6-2 500 that I would let go at a reasonable price. Email if interested.

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This message has not been edited by BigBlue66.