need an idea on a cpu upgrade

[spiritfire]

I need a little advice. I have a system that is built around an AMD XP 2100+ cpu. The motherboard is a MSI K7T266 Pro. I built the system about three and a half years ago (it was originally built with a 1.13 T-Bird). The system has ran rock stable all that time until recently. Recently, I have notice some instability issues that are pretty much mobo related. I think it is finally giving up the ghost. I know three years is not necessarily a long time. I have systems in my house running on mobo's that are five+ years old. But, this system has been my main rig and it has been used almost 24/7.

MY dilema is, should I simply purchase a new motherboard and continue to squeeze some life out of the cpu, or, should I just replace both? The system does everything I need it too, and when stable, it does it admirably. If I upgrade the CPU, what would be a logical choice. I have not kept up with the stuff as I should have and there are SOOOO much more to choose from these days. I was looking at a AMD Semptron 3100+ but is that going to outperform my cpu by that much right now?

Thanks for the help.

[RicheemxX]

if you don't mind me asking why do you think your system instability issues are mobo related?? I've ran several systems 24/7 for more than 3yrs without issues. Perhaps if you post your problems we can help you resolve the issues

Usually the only problems I run into are due to my laziness and not cleaning my case. I've killed a few ps and a fan here and there, but in general with maint. there shouldn't be any problems.

[bombledmonk]

Personally, I'd pick up a refurb or something cheap from newegg.com and keep the computer running. At the moment they have nice quality mobo's for $29.

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...pe=Refurbished
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...pe=Refurbished

[Nusa]

Semptron is basically a renaming of the Athlon XP, not a technology jump of any kind. Of course a 3100 will be faster than a 2100, but whether it's significant depends on how you use the machine. From what you say, it performs for your needs now, so speed isn't your issue, it's stability.

And I agree, what makes your problems motherboard related? Power supply issues can cause all sorts of strange symptoms. Overheating issues from failing fans and failure to clean are a common problem with older machines. On my neices machine, the CPU heatsink was so clogged with dust, I removed it and used shop air to blow it clean. But usually you can do a good job with canned air.

[bombledmonk]

Originally posted by Nusa
Semptron is basically a renaming of the Athlon XP, not a technology jump of any kind. Of course a 3100 will be faster than a 2100, but whether it's significant depends on how you use the machine. From what you say, it performs for your needs now, so speed isn't your issue, it's stability.

A

The sempron 3100+ is a tech jump. It is based on the A64 core with the 64bit instructions disabled. (it is the only Sempron based on A64)
It performs very well in it's own right, about as well as a 3.0Ghz P4 with 800FSB or a 2800+. But it also shines as an overclocker, an article at xbitlabs.com showed them achiving speeds that Averaged 5% higher benchmarks than a P4 3.6Ghz CPU.(with less poor overclockers heatsink I might add. The Thermaltake Silentboost)

In the end though If you are going to make the jump to a 754 platform, just go ahead and the 2800+ which was only $5 more last time I looked.

[Nusa]

Bah, you're right about that one, I was assuming it was Socket A. My statement was correct for all Socket A Sempron's. And over the next year you'll see most of the Athlon XP's leave the market as existing stocks get sold off.

[Christian-Comp]

I have a Sempron 2400+ that rates higher on Find-a-Drug than my Athlon64 2800+!

[spiritfire]

I am ashamed to say that I have not been as studious about cleaning my system as I have been in the past. I am going through some disability issues with my back and have simply let some things go. So, that really could be the culprit.

I ran Gentoo on the box of about a year and a half without a hiccup. Then, I went back to Windows 2000 and it would simply BSOD me to death. I can't remember any specific errors at the moment. But, it was just horrible. I thought I had bad stick of ram and pulled it and it seemed to slow a bit, but did not fix the problem. I then decided to return to Linux and put Debian on the box (via Mepis). Now, the computer is workable, but, at least three=four times a day, it will simply lock up. It is rare, at least for me, that you lock that hard in linux. It is not a matter of simply restart X.... the puter just simply stops responding.

Usually, I have to let it sit for a minute or so or it will not boot back up. That is the one thing that does really make me think it might be overheating. I have a Zalman copper heatsink on it at the moment. They are quiet, but, this model is not known to be the best in cooling. Maybe in my lack of attention, those fins are getting clogged and letting it overheat. Then, I wonder if I have damaged to cpu... Arrrg!

Thank you all for your ideas and help.

PS: there is one thing wrong with this board that has been this way since about six months after I installed the board. The board simply will not reboot. You can shut it down and restart, but, to do a software reboot is impossible. It hangs and just sits there. I have replaced everything, to include the cpu in trying to troubleshoot this problem. OS's makes no difference. I wonder if this is in anyway related?

[Nusa]

Well, as mentioned, replacing the motherboard is pretty cheap for your setup, if you want to try that as a fix.

[RicheemxX]

from all the problems you have stated I'd say you are having a power supply issue however it could be motherboard related. If you have an extra ps laying around or chance to borrow one you might try that first.