Want to upgrade processor help?

I have an Averatec 3250 laptop that was recently given to me. I have upgraded the memory to 1GB and it is now running windows 7 and Microsoft Office 2010 with no problems. Since I upgraded the memory it is running a lot faster than I expected since the computer itself is simply outdated.

I would still like to upgrade the processor in the machine, but I can't seem to figure out the compatibility and socket type supported for this motherboard.

I found one source that said it was an AM2+ socket type, which to me means it could support some of the phenom processors.

If this is true then great, but I don't want to order a processor that isn't compatible with the motherboard.

If anyone can help me find out a decent processor that will meet the compatibility of the motherboard in the Averatec 3250, any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

You may be wasting your time searching for that.

AM2 was released in 2006 and your model was released in 2004 from a quick search I did.

Even if you could put in a significantly higher clocked (AMD) processor from the same series it has now, you will be running it issues with cooling it sufficiently, possible cpu throttling when you need it the most (effectively negating the 'upgrade') and simply not being able to sufficiently power the system with the power brick you now have for it.

Time to start saving for a more current system.

As a side note: a 1.2Ghz $350 Timeline with Win7x64 with 4GB RAM will run circles around your current system - no matter what 2004 era AMD cpu you can upgrade it to.

Good luck.

 

AM2+ is desktop socket. Looks like socket 563 for AMD laptop. I don't think you can get parts like that...

 

How much would the system you just mentioned run me? The dilemma is I am flat broke, and anything over a couple hundred dollars is out of my range, thus the reason I am trying to keep this laptop as functional as possible...

I do have enterprise versions of windows 7 64 and 32, so operating system is not an issue, but if you could find me a small laptop that is under 300 dollars then feel free to let me know, otherwise I will have to stick with what I've got.

 

Under $300 may be a problem...

Just keep your eyes open for all the deals that will be happening in the next few weeks/couple of months. Don't write off any 'in-store demo's' either, as long as the warranty is still intact on them.

All I'm saying is; especially with being flat broke, is that you don't want to spend too money on such an old system. The performance will always be lacking.

I did mention the price for the system in my original post, but like I also mentioned: start saving and simply use what you have now.

What will make significantly more difference in your current notebook (than a faster cpu) is if you can put the RAM to 2GB or more.

Don't worry what 'info' you find online - simply try two 1GB sticks of RAM in your system and if it boots up - it works.

With 2GB RAM, Win7 will start to feel like the modern O/S it is.

Also, even though the system is still (probably) using an IDE HD, see if you can upgrade it to a Samsung drive that will breathe even more life into it.

See:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/har...worlds-fastest-ata-ide-mobile-hard-drive.html


With the RAM maxed out, the new HD and a clean install of Win7, you should be able to use this system for a while longer (for considerably less than $200, btw).

Consider also the effect of partitioning the HD to maximize performance and also the effect of a world class defragger like PerfectDisk can have on the final performance out of the system too.

Finally, if you're not using MSE as an A/V solution, it is 'weighing' down your system too much (for not much more protection).

Good luck.

 

Yeah +1 to that. Save up for even the 500 dollar range, that will get you into the i3 range, which is light years better than what you have (no offense).

 

I am not offended at all, I know this system is way outdated, just trying to make work what I have.

You mentioned a new harddrive that might help the "breathe better" I have been wanting to try some of the new solid state drives made by ocz, the ratings say less energy use, less heat production, and lightyears faster in performance.

Do you think upgrading to a mere 60 gb ocz SSD for this would be an ok purchase? My thinking is, the SSD can always be reused in another system, so that buy wouldn't be a waste if it didn't work out?

 

Solid state drives are expensive. You'd see an improvement for sure but it would be kinda wasted on an old system. I would suggest just saving up for a new one.

 

Well you say it is expensive, but Newegg has an OCZ 60gb for 130 right now plus a 20 dollar mail in rebate, which means the cost of that upgrade is well withing my price range for a temporary performance increase until I can save up for a new system.

 

I believe your bottle neck would be your CPU/GPU. I do not believe putting an SSD would be a worthwhile investment for your notebook, but it's your money and entirely up to you.

 

I agree with everybody else save your money or just get a faster HD non ssd,and max the memory.
I had a old presario c500,2007 model that i upgraded the 512 ram to 2 gigs of crucial ram and installed a western digital scorpio 320gig,7200rpm hd,made a huge difference in performance this went perfect with win 7,something along this upgrade path would be your best bet,good luck on whatever you do.

 

Assuming we are talking cost effectiveness here, What you may want to do is to install a copy of W7(again assuming you don't need to pay for it) and make use of ReadyBoost to breath some life into the machine. 10-20 bucks.

If it only accepts PATA HDD, I am not sure if I would spend the money for a new HDD.

 

Yeah sometimes it's not the amount of RAM that is a problem. We had an i7 machine with 12 GB RAM and 920 OC to 4.2 and Windows was booting like molasses. Turns out the hard drive was failing causing Windows to choke up. Also do a fresh Windows install, that tends to speed things up, don't have all that crap running in the background.

 

Acer Aspire AS1551-4650 Notebook - Athlon II Neo K325 1.30 GHz - 11.6" - LX.SBB02.075 - 627966 | pcRUSH.com


this is 300 bucks. Just bought this for my fiancee

 

With only 1GB RAM in the system, a fast HD is all the more necessary to make the computer feel as fast as possible (with very little $ spent).

See:
http://www.pricebat.ca/Samsung-HM16...bile-Hard-Drive-5400-8MB-2-5-PATA.p_10070725/


Forget about ReadyBoost - it takes away as much as it gives (performance-wise) and you'll have a USB drive sticking out of the computer, permanently.

If you really want to try a caching software/hardware solution with a USB key - use eBoostr. That is a program that really works as it's advertised.

As far as an SSD is concerned - save your money. You'll need an IDE SSD in your system which won't be at the performance of SATA versions, nor will you be able to use it (easily) in any newer system.

The HD linked above, with as much RAM as your system can support, along with Win7 is all I would be 'investing' in this machine.

 

Thanks for all the advice guys!

DCMaker, I refuse to buy an Acer, merely for the fact of the past experiences I have had with them.

I have owned two Acers with very bad luck on the quality of the case. I had the last one for one week, and it only sat on my desk for a week, I never even moved it, and the case cracked by the hinges. Did the warranty that came with the laptop cover it, I thought it should, but apparently not. my previous acer I had a similar issue with the case cracking around the hinges...I dont want to deal with that again.

 

averatecs are so great.

my yugo mechanic recomends them to me.