Upgrading Motherboard

English Hardware
#1

I have a few questions. I was thinking about upgrading my motherboard. What I want is a dual CPU motherboard that can handle dual 64 bit dual processors. Would Suse be able to handle this ok?

Now what I want to do is use all the hardware I have now. I have an AMD Athlon 64x2 4400 (I just put into this computer,) I also have an AMD 64x2 4000 (Use to be in this computer.) I would like a motherboard that would work with those as well as my memory.

Computer Info;

Compaq Presario SR5123WM… It would just be easier to link to the motherboard specs

Motherboard Specifications, MCP61PM-HM (Nettle2)*

So the questions I have are these:

1 - Would this work with Suse?
2 - Would I be able to have two slightly different CPU’s, the 4000 and 4400, or would they have to be exact?
3 - Any suggestions on a cost efficient, but not cheaply made, dual CPU, dual core 64x2 mother boards that use DDR2 SDRAM. At least 8GB max Ram, or more, would be nice.

I would need at least one (two would be great) PCI-E x16 slots as well as the features of my current motherboard or close to it. Also what watt power supply would go good with it. I currently have is a 400 watt.

The reason why I don’t want to buy a huge amount and use what I have is because I am limited on how much I can spend. So I cannibalize computer parts often, when I can and if they are worth the hassle. Amazing what people throw to the curb, lol.

My Current Specs are
Compaq Presario

  • Motherboard manufacturer’s name: ECS MCP61PM-HM
  • HP/Compaq name: Nettle2-GL8E
    Award BIOS
    4GB RAM PC2 6400
    Nvidia 8400GS (PCI-E x16)
    400 Watt PSU
    Card Reader (CompactFlash Card type I, CompactFlash Card type II, Memory Stick, Memory Stick PRO, Microdrive, MultiMediaCard, SD Memory Card, SmartMedia Card, Memory Stick Duo, xD-Picture Card, Memory Stick PRO Duo, miniSD, RS-MMC, MultiMediaCardmobile, MultiMediaCardplus)
    4 Sata HD’s, one sata DVD/CD dl rwr, one IDE HD

I think that covers all of the relevant info. Any thoughts or suggestions are welcome.

#2

I have an AMD Athlon 64x2 4400
But this is a dual core?!

#3

Yes but I want to use two CPUs on one motherboard that are each duel core. I am trying to use the hardware I have and only buying the motherboard.

#4

Is that possible? I’m not up to speed with such a set up.

#5

Honestly I am not sure. Most people just get duel core, quad core, etc. I don’t see why not but I might be missing something. If it can be done I want to do it just to do it, lol.

#6

Hi
Not sure how a dual cpu motherboard would handle mismatched cpu’s, it
may work if the FSB is the same otherwise one may overclock and be
unstable.

Are those cpu’s socket 939 or AM2?

–
Cheers Malcolm °¿° (Linux Counter #276890)
SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop 11 (x86_64) Kernel 2.6.27.25-0.1-default
up 9 days 19:39, 2 users, load average: 0.27, 0.28, 0.36
GPU GeForce 8600 GTS Silent - Driver Version: 190.18

#7

Both are AM2. The 4000+ clocks at 2100 and the 4400 clocks at 2300. Looking at the specs that is the only difference. Everything else is identical with both processors.

#8

it should be possible but your fastest CPU will downclock to match your slower one, so 2300 MHz -> 2100 MHz

#9

I can live with that. Having two duel core 64 cpu’s would make up for the 200MHz difference. I just want to make sure it works well with Suse and that I can find a decent motherboard. I have been looking at Bestbuy and Newegg so far and they either don’t have what I am looking for or I am missing it.

#10

actually, it’ll be 400 MHz since both cores in the 2300 MHz CPU will clock down, so 200 + 200 = 400 :wink:

if it for some reasons doesn’t work, you can still buy at discount somewhere a matching CPU :wink:

btw, if you have an older spare dual core CPU, send it ova! :stuck_out_tongue:

#11

My only one at the moment. But I could send over a nice PII… :wink: I am not sure why I keep that computer around these days. I just hate giving or throwing them away, feels like I am getting rid of a friend, lol. I won’t tell you how long I kept an 8080 around :X

#12

I’ve got plenty of PII’s in my CPU collection but am missing a dual-core CPU and obviously a quad too :wink:

I also have an original Intel 4004 and in ~10-20 years time, I can sell it on eBay as collector’s item for a sh.itload of $$$ and I’ll be rich :stuck_out_tongue: … just kidding :stuck_out_tongue:

@ everybody else

if you sir or ma’am are so kind and have a dual or quad CPU you no longer need and could get rid off, please contact me privately on this forum so I can give out address you could send it to :smiley:

#13

Hi
have a look at this site http://www.geeks.com/ never used them before
but may be an option for you…

–
Cheers Malcolm °¿° (Linux Counter #276890)
SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop 11 (x86_64) Kernel 2.6.27.25-0.1-default
up 9 days 22:09, 2 users, load average: 0.13, 0.21, 0.23
GPU GeForce 8600 GTS Silent - Driver Version: 190.18

#14

Looking at old computers or owning one is like having a classic car. I just wish the prices on classic computers matched the prices of classic cars :’(

#15

Thanks for the link. I am checking them out now.

#16

They had 3 at geeks.com but they where a bit dated and not what I need. The first place so far I actually found any dual cpu mother boards so far.

#17

Hi
There are plenty of dual and quad processor boards around, just not for
AM2 :wink: If you had socket 939 there would be more.

Why not look at the opteron motherboard at $21, add a couple of
opteron dual core 280’s at around $55ea from here
http://www.starmicro.net/SearchResult.aspx?CategoryID=100

New RAM (ECC Registered @around $25 per GB) and a new power supply
though :frowning:

–
Cheers Malcolm °¿° (Linux Counter #276890)
SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop 11 (x86_64) Kernel 2.6.27.25-0.1-default
up 9 days 22:50, 2 users, load average: 0.21, 0.09, 0.05
GPU GeForce 8600 GTS Silent - Driver Version: 190.18

#18

Another good website, thanks for that link. I was hoping to use what I had. I don’t have the money right now to build my own, or get more then a motherboard and possibly a PSU if needed, thought I would love to. I might just keep what I have if I can’t find a motherboard for what I need. I may even just upgrade the CPU to a 5600+, max it out, and keep the 4000+ & 4400+ as back up.

#19

Hi
I would think if you can pick up a faster cpu, get some ram and you
should be good to go :slight_smile:

This system is socket 939 4400+ and rocks along nicely for me…

–
Cheers Malcolm °¿° (Linux Counter #276890)
SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop 11 (x86_64) Kernel 2.6.27.25-0.1-default
up 10 days 0:06, 2 users, load average: 0.23, 0.20, 0.18
GPU GeForce 8600 GTS Silent - Driver Version: 190.18

#20

Right now this one goes pretty good to. I have 4GB and want to upgrade to 8GB and if I get an Athlon 5600+ 89W, the highest I can go on this MB, that would be great.

I was still hoping to change things a bit but as I said before it is not a major issue, it’s more of a hobby and for fun.