tddrage
02-24-2012 02:03 AM (19 days ago)
I have a Compaq Presario CQ4010F desktop running Windows 7 home premium 64 with the factory AMD sempiron chip, and I want to upgrade. I checked the product specs page and learned that the motherboard has the manufacturer name: Pegatron M2N68-LA (NARRA 5), and the HP/Compaq name: NARRA6-GL6. I then checked the processor upgrade information and learned that it supports the socket AM2+ AMD Phenom II quad core chip. I purchased the AMD Phenom II X4 940 3.0 GHz true quad core design 8.0 MB total cache chip. I installed the chip, and while I was in there I added 1GB ram (bringing it to total of 3GB) just to be on the safe side. When I turned the computer on it told me "unsupported processor" and turned itself off. I cursed loudly and kicked things. Then I put the old chip back in and it works fine. I checked the BIOS (BIOS core version: 6.0 BIOS revision: 5.54). The new memory shows up, so that is right. I called a local computer repairman that has done work for my mom in the past and he told me that I need to upgrade the BIOS. I went to the HP downloads page, but there is no BIOS update listed for my machine. I then called the HP 1 800 customer/tech support number, but had difficulty communicating my problem because no one there speaks English as a first language. I cursed even more loudly and kicked more things. My cat is still in hiding.
My question: How do I get this chip to work? Do I really need to upgrade BIOS? If so, where do I get said upgrade? If not, how do I get current BIOS to recognize new processor? How do I coax my cat (grey and white tiger striped, 2 years old, version 4.5) out of hiding?
Please help! I want to play Skyrim.
Thanks!
tddrage
02-24-2012 02:25 AM (19 days ago)
Replying to my own question here: Just did some more research and found out that my max power supported is 95W and this chip is 125W. Can I upgrade the BIOS to support this, or do I need a new chip?
erico
02-24-2012 02:25 AM (19 days ago)
Take a look at the box the procesor came in or the designation on top of the processor. Are you certain that processor is a socket AM2+?

It could be a socket AM3 version. It is a far more common and current version of Phenom II.

tddrage
02-24-2012 02:29 AM (19 days ago)
Erico, it is indeed an AM2+. It took me forever to find, but I just found out it is 125W and I need 95W. Can I make this work, or do I need a new chip?
erico
02-24-2012 02:46 AM (19 days ago)
I don't believe it is going to work. A TDP of 125 Watts is indeed a show stopper.

If you are determined to use the new processor you will have to replace the original motherboard with a microATX AM2+ motherboard that supports the processor.

I would only suggest doing this in an out of warranty desktop PC. According to the specs I read your PC is from 2009. It is a bit of a hassle since the rear I/O shield on another motherboard won't fit in the HP case.
tddrage
02-24-2012 03:45 AM (19 days ago)
Thanks, E.
Just been on the AMD site looking at 95W AM2+ products. No Phenom IIs matct this criteria. Best I can find is AMD Phenom X4; Revision B3; 2400MHz. I am a little new to the technical side of computing, am I correct that 2400MHz translates to 2.4 GHz? If so, this chip seems a little slower than the 3.0GHz I tried to put in. I know I don't want to replace the motherboard. This is my first attempt at upgrading anything other than a video card and I want to take baby steps. The computer is out of warranty (my mom got it at auction from a closed rent to own store for 50$). It is, however all I have, other than a Kindle and I don't want to fry it. Any input on the Phenom X4 2400MHz vs the Phenom II X4 3.0GHz? I think even the Phenom I would be an upgrade. The X4 means both are quad core, correct? I just want something better than this single core Sempiron crap that is in here. I 'm not trying to map genomes or blow up the world or anything, but I tried to play Skyrim and this computer just laughed at me. Also, if I do end up getting the Phenom I, will I have to do anything with the BIOS, or can I just pop it in?
Thanks for all your help!
erico
02-24-2012 04:30 AM (19 days ago)

tddrage wrote:
Thanks, E.
Just been on the AMD site looking at 95W AM2+ products. No Phenom IIs matct this criteria. Best I can find is AMD Phenom X4; Revision B3; 2400MHz. I am a little new to the technical side of computing, am I correct that 2400MHz translates to 2.4 GHz? If so, this chip seems a little slower than the 3.0GHz I tried to put in. I know I don't want to replace the motherboard. This is my first attempt at upgrading anything other than a video card and I want to take baby steps. The computer is out of warranty (my mom got it at auction from a closed rent to own store for 50$). It is, however all I have, other than a Kindle and I don't want to fry it. Any input on the Phenom X4 2400MHz vs the Phenom II X4 3.0GHz? I think even the Phenom I would be an upgrade. The X4 means both are quad core, correct? I just want something better than this single core Sempiron crap that is in here. I 'm not trying to map genomes or blow up the world or anything, but I tried to play Skyrim and this computer just laughed at me. Also, if I do end up getting the Phenom I, will I have to do anything with the BIOS, or can I just pop it in?
Thanks for all your help!

Yes. 2400 Mhz is 2.4 GHz. It will still be a sweet upgrade. It will not be the same PC at all in terms of capabilities. The X4 processors are indeed Quad core.


tddrage
02-24-2012 05:31 AM (19 days ago)
OK! Got it figured out! I am going for the Phenom X4 2.4 GHz. Last question: I am seeing them listed online as AMD Phenom X4 processors, and, also, as Hewlitt Packard AMD Phenom X4 processors. Do I have to buy the one that says HP in front of it as long as it is the same AMD chip? Is there some proprietary software thing where a HP computer will only run a HP chip? (The ones with HP in front are about $100 more expensive, and I am the type of guy that will drive out of my way to the farm to buy corn if they got it cheaper than the grocery.....)
Thanks again for your help!
erico
02-24-2012 06:19 AM (19 days ago)
Can you post a screen shot of what you mean.?
There shouldn't be a difference between the two.

HP PCs don't require HP processors. The processsors are made by AMD and Intel.

Just compare the specs of each against what you read in the CPU upgrade blurb at the HP web support portal for your motherboard.
tddrage
02-24-2012 06:58 AM (19 days ago)
All the specs are the same, only difference is the one with the HP in front of it has a different manufacturer part #, and $200 more expensive. This is the link to the AMD one: http://www.codemicro.com/store/product/Amd%20%28Advanced%20Micr-HD9750WCJ4BGH-Refurbished.php And this is the link to the HP one: http://www.memory4less.com/m4l_itemdetail.aspx?partno=FK124AV&itemid=1448411977&rid=fd_10 Thanks for the info. I think the cheaper one will work. I don't really trust the HP web support portal- the first chip they list as compatible with my motherboard is the Phenom II quad core so I bought one, but through my research tonite I've learned that a 95W socket AM2+ Phenom II quad core chip does not exist. Haven't had a good experience with HP tech support all around, over the computer or phone. Do you work for HP? If so, you are the only good experience I have had dealing with them. If not, I'm glad there are other insomniacs out there willing to help out. Thanks again! Going to order this chip and I'll let you know how it goes.
erico
02-24-2012 09:52 AM (19 days ago)
Thank you for the compliment.
No, I do not work for HP. I am a self employed small business owner. I am on Western European time in the Netherlands.

email them before purchase to ensure that it is a Socket AM2+. It appears that there might be a typo on their website. The AMD X4 9750 is supposed to be a socket AM2+






Best regards,
erico
tddrage
02-24-2012 02:30 PM (19 days ago)
Well, I got to tell you, E, you could teach the HP tech support people some things. I couldn't get a straight answer out of any of those folks. They kept wanting to send someone to my house to fix it, and I just want a yes or no if I bought the wrong chip or what. Thanks again for all your help. I had a great time last time I was over in your neighborhood! Stayed in Amsterdam for 2 months and bicycled all over your fine homeland. Thanks for the heads up about the AM2+. Checked the product # on the AMD website, and it is listed as an AM2+, but a phone call to Code Micro put me in touch with an underinformed customer service rep that couldn't check the actual box for the chip because it was in the warehouse and he couldn't leave the desk. Luckily, they have a 30 day return policy, so if all else fails..... The customer service in this country is appalling!!!! I'm moving over there! Keep your eyes open. I'm the guy on the bike waving at you! Thanks again.
erico
02-26-2012 03:44 AM (17 days ago)
OK. I'll watch out for you on the bike. :)
The Netherlands is not my homeland. I am an American. Keep me updated on your progress.

Best regards,
erico
tddrage
03-08-2012 02:51 AM (6 days ago)
Well, E, got good news and bad news. Good news: The CPU works like a charm. My Windows starts up if I just think about sitting at the desk. Ran the Windows Rating tool thing it comes with.... raised my processor score from 3.8 to 7.0. And just adding 1mb ram made a huge difference, too.
Bad news: I was all ready to play some Skyrim and learned the hard way that the NVidia GEforce6150 nForce 430 video card is a video card in the loosest sense of the word. I turned everything to the lowest resolution possible, set all settings optimized for performance over graphics and got it up to a blistering 3 frames per second. So, now, I am right back in limbo.
So, my initial choice is the GeForce GTX 550 Ti (fermi) 951MHz 1GB ram. Found 1 for $129 American. ( http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130625) Thinking that is the way to go. Still trying to figure out compatibility with my motherboard, power supply, etc. Got that Pegatron Narra5 M2N68-LA motherboard.... not sure of the power supply (downloaded a bad version of the PC discoverer software that crashes instead of reading all my specs and haven't got a new one yet.)
So, thoughts? Comments? Crazy suggestions? Will I be able to replace the card that is in there (says the current one is integrated.... not quite sure how that works), or just pop it in an expansion slot? Last time I did a video card upgrade was 1995. I would kind of like to stick with a NVidia product. My mom understands how to use the control panel with that and seems to like doing something other than downloading pictures of Pug dogs in cute outfits every now and then. (Sometimes I change the settings for no reason, just so she can find it and fix it.....) Whatcha think?
Also, something I want to do, now that almost every component on this machine is going to be new..... I want to totally wipe out the Hard Drive and re load Windows. Start fresh like it is a new system, straight out of the box, just the device drivers and Windows. (Moms bought this from a Rent to Own store liquidation auction and it was owned previously by someone who liked to put lots of search toolbars and stuff that I can't seem to get rid of.... I get a lot of new folders popping up that I don't know where they came from.... My save games go to my mom's Documents folder and she deletes them.... Lots of Ghost in the Machine type stuff.)
Moms, however, misplaced the Windows disks. Is there a way I can get rid of everything except Windows? Don't really want to buy it again. There is a partition for a D drive on the hard drive that it says is recovery files.... Will that be just Windows?
I really wish I had kept up with my computer know how..... Sold my last one in 97 and went to live with a family of meerkats until 2006. Learned a lot about standing tall outside of a burrow, not much about the technology that was passing me by. I know how to push buttons.....
Any input would be great!!! Thanks again for the help with the CPU and looking forward to any advice you got about the new issues. Maybe after I finish Moms computer, I will tackle building one from the ground up. Feel like I have looked at enough parts to have done so already..... and I got a lot of parts left over. Frankenputer ARISE!!!!!
FattysGoneWild
03-09-2012 02:22 AM (5 days ago)
What a mess and tons of misinformation. First of all. I have the same mobo as you in another machine CQ5210F. Even though it says AM2+ for the cpu. You can put in a AM3 cpu. I have done it in mine with no problem. The HP site has screwed up information. I have a Phenom II X4 925 95w quad core. It orginally came with a Athlon II 215 dual core. Next up. You have a slimline. Essentially what you are doing is a complete waste of money. For a decent video card. You will need to upgrade the power supply. Since the slimline uses a special design for the power supply.

The only way around it is by jerry rigging a new psu, outside of the case. It will not fit in the slimline. Fitting a 550 Ti looks to be possible. But, it will be a very tight fit and the air flow will be crappy. You don't even have a exhaust fan in the back. Basically it will over heat and die eventually. As for installing windows 7 clean. 2 methods. Backup the current cert/key before wiping the drive. You can then use those for activation. Or use the sticker on the side of the pc. You will have to call though for that. It is automated. All in all. It is a complete waste of time and money to upgrade that machine.

Especially it being a slimline. Not the news you want to hear. But, it is the honest truth.
tddrage
03-09-2012 04:52 PM (5 days ago)
I agree with you whole-heartedly on several points....HP site was written by Jon Lovitz character from SNL. Everything in there should be followed by "that's the ticket....."
The computer was 50$ and I think my mom would have better spent her money on a nice antique table model abacus. But, it is what I have to play with and for the investment I am in..... I just want to play Skyrim on it. Mom got it for my birthday, and the game cost her more than the computer. (Should have been a hint....) She has no concept of minimum system requirements.
I am happy with the cpu that I finally ended up getting to work. I couldn't find a cheap enough Phenom II 95w quad core, but the Phenom I quad I got is still a quantum leap. (got it for 25$ on Ebay, brand new.) Plus, I still have the brand new Phenom II X4 125w that didn't work to play with. Didn't want to get an AM3, heard yes and no that they would work.
Any suggestions on a video card that will work in this thing that I can get maybe mid range performance on Skyrim? (Their minimum is one with 512 MB RAM). I am not above Jerry rigging. Open up all the expansion slots and put a desk fan behind it.... Drill holes in the case....Or could I keep both cards and only use the good one to run graphics programs and switch it off for Facebook, etc?
I am actually doing pretty good on what I have invested. Don't want to blow hundreds on a new system. I am all about watching Ebay and I have a friend that reads Mandarin and he will go on some weird direct from China sites for me if I ask him....
As for the Windows question. Where do I find the cert key? Got no discs, stickers have all been peeled off the case, or covered with Harley Davidson decals. (they could have probably made a better computer.) And, how do i go about wiping out the drive? I want this thing to remember nothing. Complete computer lobotomy. (It wakes me up at 4:37 am to update things I don't have and I can't make it stop.) I downloaded a picture yesterday and it told me I did it 2 years from now..... It is posessed.
Any suggestions? I am a sucker for lost causes. Thanks.