Icon Sempron 3600

[X40Nick]

Hi,

I have a desktop Icon PC, I don't remember the model number as I didn't buy it.

I believe it has a Sempron 3600 AM2 processor, I was considering to upgrade it to a more powerful one.

Can it be done?
What costs will there be?
How can it be done?

Or would it just make sense to use some of the bits and buy a mobo bundle or barebones?


Thanks,

Nick.

[Taxation]

yes it can be done
The cost can be as high or as low as you want, Prices are so **** good at the moment for AM2 processors
It is done by swapping out the old and replacing with the new

Please give full pc component spec, including power supply make/model
And how much your willing to spend

[X40Nick]

I don't know the power supply? Do I just have to open the case and see what I can read?

I would assume it was a cheap standard one, and I am prepared to spend up to £60.

I saw a barebones bundle for £151, and that seems a **** good deal!

Nick.

[system7]

Nick, with all respect you sound a bit new to this.

There's no point in getting a bundle when you can upgrade your existing setup, never mind having to buy a new copy of Windows.

You will need to unplug the power and open the case. You need to post the motherboard model, and the power supply brand and power, which is likely 350 or 400W. Also what memory type and how many sticks you have. The Icon models vary.

PC Wizard and CPU-Z will help you find out some of this.
http://www.cpuid.com/index.php

Quite likely you can simply slot in a graphics card and be content. Otherwise, processor and memory upgrades should be simple as Taxation says, with a bios upgrade perhaps. :)

[X40Nick]

I have a Corperate Version of XP Pro, I own 4 copies of Vista so I wont have to buy Windows.

I am new, I have only ever added PCI stuff, Graphics, and memory.

I changed the keyboard on a Dell laptop.

I will do the homework and report back.

[system7]

You'll probably find you have a VIA K8M890 chipset like this AM2 socket Asus M2V-MX SE: http://www.novatech.co.uk/novatech/specpage.html?ASU-M2VMXS

You should upgrade to the latest bios as a matter of course, then you could get an Athlon X2 4200, equivalent to an Intel E6300, for £48:
http://www.novatech.co.uk/novatech/specpage.html?AMD-X2M242

Add 2X1gb of Corsair Value Select DDR2-667 for £37.60:
http://www.novatech.co.uk/novatech/specpage.html?CSR-VS662G

Lastly confirm your power supply is 350W or greater, and something like this 512MB 8600GT will give you adequate gaming for £69:
http://www.novatech.co.uk/novatech/specpage.html?NOV-86GT5

Of course, gaming is really all down to the graphics card, and what you're power supply and cooling is up for. Get the best that suits you. Comparison guide here:
http://www23.tomshardware.com/graphics_2007.html
None of these upgrades are difficult, jusy unplug the power and touch the case before components to avoid static. :D

[X40Nick]

Yes that is the chipset I have, That processor looks good and is at a reasonable price.

I have 1GB of memory already in my system, do I really need that memory? Or is there a cheaper option

I will check my power supply, and what would be a good upgrade? And a graphics card? Which would be the best.

Thank you.

Nick.

[system7]

Personally, for gaming in XP, I think your 1GB is ample. But more does no harm. Memory prices have plumetted. Dual-core processors have benefits, especially where background processes are running along with your game, or a newer game is written to utilise one fully.

Ideally you will already have 2X512MB of something like DDR2-533 for dual channel. Check that out with CPU-Z (http://www.cpuid.com/cpuz.php).

Which card to get is a matter of choice and budget, see that Tomshardware chart i linked. But the faster it is, the more power you need. Novatech usually fit quite decent >350W FSP or Hiper power supplies which should drive that 512MB 8600GT no problem, so check the rating.

But make no mistake, the main thing in gaming is the quality of the graphics card. There is little point in fitting an expensive processor if the graphics can't keep up. No-one ever wished they had bought a slower graphics card... :lol:

[X40Nick]

No, I have a 1GB stick already inside, so just got to buy a another stick.

I am slightly worried that this was a cheap system, so how is it going to keep up with the latest games.

I am going to look for some EA titles that I would like, one game I have heard good reviews about is Call of Duty 4.

Thank you.

Nick.

[system7]

Another 1GB stick of the same would make sense then. Try for an exact match, to avoid one of those memory nightmares. Probably the standard novatech memory is the same model, again CPU-Z will identify what you have. You can exchange if problems.

Cheap system shouldn't affect things. Put the same CPU, memory and Graphics in the most expensive motherboard in the world, and it will all run much the same, as long as cooling and power supply is adequate.

COD4 is a pretty demanding game at full settings, so you are leaning to a ATI 3850 upwards and a dual core CPU I suppose. Needs 500W of PSU at a guess. I vaguely remember it benefits from 512MB of graphics memory too.