Want to upgrade my computer...have questions.

[cali]

I have A Compaq 5838....formatted with a cleaninstall of windows, runs very nicely. I am on the verge of attempting to build a new computer and use this one in the kids room, to be used for internet and pc games...oh and studying.

The 5838 is an Athlon 500, 128meg,Voodoo3 1000(OEM)16meg AGP video card. This computer uses the FIC SD-11 motherboard, SoundBlaster 128PCI sound card, and a Generic Conexant 56kV.90 PCI Modem. Computer also comes with a Compaq(ACER)4424 CDRW.
I have 2 questions:

1. I have 3 slots for memory and I have 128 now, it uses sdram pc100 dimm. Can I add 1x256 or do I have to add 2x128

2. What is the fastest processor I can upgrade too,Athlon classic k7 650-950?

I am new here but hope to be around for a while, any help is appreciated

Thanks,

Cali

[Nelreem]

1. You can do 1x256 as far as i know. it doesnt have to be installed in pairs. someone please correct me if i am wrong.

2. The athlon classic is slot a, so i assume that, if your board supports it, you can go the highest that you can find. just be sure that you have proper cooling.

[LawyerRon]

Quote:
"This computer uses the FIC SD-11 motherboard"

Are you sure? I though Compaq used a proprietary motherboard.

[cali]

I looked at the motherboard and did not see anything but a Compaq part #, I did a search on the internet and that is where I came up with the hardware used. The motherboard looks like the SD11 and the Athlon k7 500 came out around the same time as the SD11, i think.

Thnx for the replies.

Cali.

[Leef]

the SD-11 was an OEM board. My Everex system came with one...and I just replaced it *cheers*

It supports up to 650 according to the documentation. Mine had a 750 in it. It depends on the revision of the board and which BIOS you have. If you get the newest BIOS, NC611, it can support up to a 1Ghz Slot A tbird Athlon

[ljmoray]

The SD11 is a sketchy board. I have two, neither of which reliably run the T-Bird! The FICA website implies that the NC611 BIOS will only take the mobo to 800MHz cpu, but the folks from FICA have told me that it'll go to 1GHz! They also told me that the original version of the board did NOT run T-Birds reliably, but the second version did! This is NOT the BIOS revision, but the board version, supposedly printed on the board somewhere!

By the way, I am running 3x256MB SDRAM.

Good Luck!

[cali]

Thank you for the replies everyone.
So it sounds like I could go to 650 and not mess with the bios or I can go higher but I would have to update my Bios.
Is a jump from Amd 500 to Amd 650 noticeable, or is it worth updating the Bios and going higher?

Cali

[ljmoray]

That's like a 30% increase in cpu speed, so I would think you'd notice a bit of an improvement. Me, I tend to push the boards as far as they'll go, but you need to weigh the cost issues verses the performance. You need to consider what this system will be used for and decide if you need more power/speed or not!

A word on RAM. If you're running WIN98, you're wasting your money on more RAM. Although WIN98 will show the actual RAM installed, it only uses the first 128MB, so anything you install beyond that is a waste. WIN2K and WIN XP however will utilze all the RAM you throw at it!!!

[morriswindgate]

The problem with the Slot A Classic Athlons is that the 700 is reasonably priced, but if you go above that they start getting pricey.

[systempat]

Speed change --- 500 to 650 ----
Not worth it. If you are not going to get a 60 or 70% CPU speed difference it's not cost effective.
Put your $$ and your time into your new build.