Hi all,

I was hoping one of you experts can tell me if it is possible to upgrade my computer's processor. I called IBM and they say they recommend purchasing a new computer (surprise) and will not tell me if the cpu can be upgraded or not. I can not find any information regarding whether or not it can be accomplished.

The system is as follows:
Model # 2284-45U IBM Netvista
IBM mobo :S21M
192 mb ram
AMD Duron 700mhz processor

If more information is needed, please let me know, and I'll try to provide it!

Thanks to everyone who reads this
Ladybug

Yes you can upgrade your processor! IBM doesn't want you to upgrade, they want you to spend $$ on a new system!

You have a Duron 700 MHZ which is a socket A processor. I couldn't find much information on your motherboard, so I am assuming that it only supports up to a 100MHZ bus speed, totaling a FSB of 200 MHZ.

You would be better served to purchase a motherboard that would allow at least 266 FSB (2X133); then you could get any AMD processor that is socket A, up to the Sempron 2800+.
(although the Semprons would only run at 166MHZ or 333FSB)

Newer Durons run from 1200MHZ to 1800MHZ and they both fit your motherboard, but again you would be limited in speed.

If you are interested, post back and I can give you excellent socket A motherboard recommendations.

You will also have to upgrade your Ram to at least DDR PC2100 (266 FSB)
or
DDR PC2700 (333FSB)
DDR PC3200 (400FSB)

Raymond Mackie
Technical Support Mgr.
rmackie@microtailors.com
www.microtailors.com
"Custom computers and prices tailored to fit you"

What exactly are you doing that makes you feel you need a new processor?

My guess is your system uses PC100 RAM, which has gotten fairly pricey now that DDR has become the standard. But increasing your RAM to a total of 512mb would give you a much more responsive system. Upgrading your CPU from 700mhz to 1000mhz (for example), may not even be noticeable except under certain circumstances. However, upgrading from a Duron to an Athlon Thunderbird (200FSB version) along with the RAM is an upgrade you'd definitely "feel". It depends on how much you wanna throw at your old system vs the cost of a major upgrade (board/CPU/RAM/power supply) vs a total replacement.

Try either of these programs to see if they can identify your motherboard. Even though IBM boards are OEM, they're usually based on retail boards. Once you know what you have, one of us can have a look at the specs to determine the upgrade possibilities....then you can let your wallet decide:

http://www.cpuid.com/cpuz.php

http://www.lavalys.com/products/download.php?pid=1&lang=en&pageid=3

Asus A7N8X-X
1800+ Tbred @ 1600mhz pathetic
8.0 x 200mhz @ 1.70v
512mb PC3200
Ti4200/8X 128mb
WDC 60GB

Soyo KT600 Dragon+ v2.0
2500+ Sempron @ 1838mhz
10.5 x 175mhz
768mb PC2

Hi, thanks for the quick response! I am encouraged to know that it is possible, I figured it must be, just that IBM wants me to spend more money!!!

I am trying to do this as inexpensive as possible, I need to have at least 1.0ghz cpu and 512 mb ram. I know this board can take up to 768 mb ram, but how high of a processor can it handle?

I really don't know anything about how to install a new processor (jumper settings, etc.), but am willing to learn!

Thanks again, any recommendations and advice greatly appreciated!

Ladybug

Hi again,

I ran the Everest program and here are the results:

Motherboard Properties:
Motherboard ID 10/19/2000-8363-686A 6A6LMAW9C-00
Motherboard Name AOpen MK33

Front Side Bus Properties:
Bus Type DEC Alpha EV6
Bus Width 64-bit
Real Clock 100 MHz (DDR)
Effective Clock 200 MHz
Bandwidth 1600 MB/s

Memory Bus Properties:
Bus Type SDR SDRAM
Bus Width 64-bit
Real Clock 133 MHz
Effective Clock 133 MHz
Bandwidth 1067 MB/s

Chipset Bus Properties:
Bus Type PCI
Bus Width 32-bit
Real Clock 33 MHz
Effective Clock 33 MHz
Bandwidth 133 MB/s

Motherboard Physical Info:
CPU Sockets/Slots 1
Expansion Slots 3 PCI, 1 AGP
RAM Slots 3 DIMM
Integrated Devices Audio
Form Factor Micro ATX
Motherboard Size 240 mm x 240 mm
Motherboard Chipset KT133

Motherboard Manufacturer:
Company Name AOpen Inc.
Product Information http://english.aopen.com.tw/products/mb
BIOS Download http://download.aopen.com.tw/downloads

As an aside, it also tells me that my AGP is disabled???? What does this mean?

Thanks again,
Ladybug

It's difficult to say which processors will drop in and be detected properly and the IBM support site is no help.

The Spitfire core Duron (like you have) tops out at 100Mhz. Athlon Thunderbirds top out at 1400Mhz and Morgan core Durons at 1300Mhz.

Problem is; that without any concrete information, about the best you can do is drop a different processor in the board and see what happens. Another consideration is your power supply...a Thunderbird core or Morgan core will want a little more power to run.

Raymond is correct that the board only supports 100Mhz front side bus; it uses a VIA KT-133 chipset.

By the time you locate and buy a processor that'll speed things up, get a sutiable heatsink and fan, and perhaps add another 256Mb of memory, you'll have spent another hundred bucks for little performance increase. You will spend a lot of time trying different processors to find one that'll work, deal with the 145w power supply, and in general run into a lot of headaches. This is typical of an attempt to upgrade a proprietary machine.

I'd recommend something like this $200 barebone kit. Just transfer your drives and other necessary hardware and you're in business.

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1161209&Sku=S450-3220%20A

Good luck,

Skip

Sorry about the typo in response 5...the Spitfire core Duron tops out at 900Mhz.

Here's a cpu compatibility list and the bios version necessary to support the processors for the MK-33:

http://swe.aopen.com.tw/testreport/mb/ListTestItem.asp?nothing=nothing&TestFunction=442&Model=500

One caveat though. The IBM board you have might be a "crippled" version of the MK-33 and still may not support all these processors and, may not accept a bios flash from Aopen. You may also need to deal with the 145w power supply IBM shipped with your machine.

Skip

Hi again,

Thanks for the info & links, Skip. I believe this sounds like more hassle than it's worth. I'm going to be working from home and in order to run the company program, the baseline is a 1.0ghz processor. I checked out the link for TigerDirect and think this looks like a pretty good deal, and in any case, buying a new system makes more sense than buying a cpu that may not work, replacing the power supply, etc., etc.

Thanks again,

Ladybug

There you're right. Changing everything but the board just makes no sense and unless you have invested in some good drives (DVD burner, new big fast harddrive, ...) lately keeping the old ones isn't worth it either. It usually makes no sense to keep an old CD Rom or harddrive as they might slow down your system. You can keep an harddrive that's at least ATA33 for storage but shouldn't run windows or programs from it. Just don't plug it to the same ide cable as the new one as that will slow you down. But for a new system I suggest a new SATA harddrive anyway as it's faster!