Advice on replacing computer Processor

[dsze]

Hello, I have a newbie question about replacing my processor. I would like to run the Adobe Premiere Pro Software, which requires SSE instruction support to run at all. My current system doesnt support this.

My current system:

VAIO PCV-RX460
AMD Athlon 1.2 GHz
512MB RAM
300GB HDD

MOBO:
* MOTHERBOARD ATX-728 MACE (OEM) (A7S-LE)
* CHIPSET SIS 730S
* Front Side BUS SPEED 200 MHZ

What I want to do:

Replace my processor with something faster (1.8 or faster) that supports SSE Instruction. I would like to do this without replacing my MOBO or any other hardware.

Is this possible? If so, can anyone suggest a processor to buy?

Thank you,
daniel

[dn7elson]

This is a bit outside the digital photography focus of this forum.

Premier is for video rendering, so you are going to need as much "horsepower" and RAM and you can get. You are going to have bottlenecks in multiple areas given the age and performance spec of your system.

I would suggest that it might be better to consider a system upgrade if you will be doing any serious video rendering with Premier.

[dsze]

Well, thats not the response I was hoping for. :)

Actually, I've been using Premiere 6.5 and Photoshop CS for video editing on this system for over a year now and haven't had any problems. This system also runs Adobe Audition, After Effects and DVD authoring.

Sure, new system would be nice, but this system works. It just doesn't work with my new Prem.Pro because it doesn't support SSE Instruction. So, upgrading the entire system isn't any option. Do you have any advice on which AMD processor to buy to replace mine? ...or what I should be looking for in a new processor to make sure it is compatible with my MOBO?

thanks,
daniel

[CyberDyneSystems]

The motherboard you have will not support anything but MAYBE a slightly faster AMD Athlon... but .. you don't even have an "XP" .. so I'm not sure you can even upgrade past say a 1.4...

Thus the only way to upgrade that system woud require a complete motherboard replacement.

Trouble is,. I doubt.. ( I don't know for sure) but I truly DOUBT that Sony uses a standard ATX form factor Mobo.. In fact I would bet on it...

These eans that you indeed can't "upgrade" at all,. but you could build a completely new system with a new Case, power supply, motherboard, CPU and RAM.... and re-use all the other parts out of the Old Vaio....

Again.. unless you are ready to essentailly build an entriely new PC from scratch... then your only option is to buy a new system.

[dsze]

Hmm? Well, if I replaced the motherboard & processor, would I necessarily have to replace the case, power supply & the RAM?

thanks,

[CyberDyneSystems]

Well, I did a quick look up for that Mobo.. could not find anything... BUT I did then notice that it's name begins with ATX.. thus you MAY be able to use your case and powersuppply...

If the Mobo is NOT an ATX.. then the case will NOT fit any mobo you would buy... this is why I said the case would be a no go.. in such instances with OEM manufacturers this is 99% of the time the situation with the power supply as well...



The RAM is a different issue altogether..
No matter what you need to upgrade the Mobo to get the typpe of CPU you are looking for.. the lod 1.2 Athlon is several generations old now,.. and so is the RAM it is using.. so a CPU upgrade that will be of any use,. will require a new motherboard and RAM to support it. :(

Lastly what OS are you running?

If it's XP,. you will need to reinstall windows for the New Motherboard... (most liekly ) if it';s Win98.. you can swap a mobo with a few tricks and keep the old install.

[dsze]

I am running WinXP. Would I be able to reinstall it, and keep all of my data? The data on my HDD's shouldn't be affected should it?

-daniel

[John_T]

CDS is right on with all he says. I've been through the "new generation" upgrade quite a few times. Sooner or later you replace everything, but if you build yourself you can make changes as they become relevant. I just did a major overhaul of my system, including HDs. It really sings and is incredibly stabile. So glad I did it.

Since you are doing video, I would assume you have a lot of data. I would buy a new fast HD(s) and copy all my data and anything else that was important onto it/them and in the new system keep all data seperate on new HDs. In video you need fast data stream, so a good HD brings a lot. If your old HDs are good and fast enough, you can continue using them for OS and programs.

I find this is something that comes up at least every couple of years and it's time to think it through carefully and bite the bullet. Compromises don't usually help much and lead to spending more time, frustration and more money in the long run. Sure, you only want SSE, but that's in the "new generation" and all that's required to give it to you.

[dsze]

Yeah, I'm thinking that I am going to rebuild. In addition to the original 60GB HD I've also got 3 brand new ones:

SATA internal 120GB just for photos

firewire 120GB external just for video

ATA internal 80GB just for Website Data

...and I just run programs & keep simple data on the original 60GB internal.

In addition to the new HDD's I've also got a new DVD-/+ RW.

[John_T]

Sounds good. I went for

- SATA Raid 0 array 240GB, OS, programs and anything not permanent
- SATA Raid 0 array 240GB, everything I want to keep
- ATA IDE 120GB, all drivers, updates + backups of Outlook.pst 'n such
- External HD via Firewire 160GB for regular backups
- DVD/CD burner
- SSE, SSE2 :wink:
- Gigabyte GA-8KNXP v.2 mobo, P4 3.4Ghz, 2GB DC RAM, 550W PS

I highly recommend this board, there are P4 and AMD versions.

Lots of space, lots of speed, very stable. :D

[john_houghton]

I recently replaced the processor+motherboard to upgrade an Athlon 1.2GHz system. I chose the Athlon 64 and Asus K8V SE board, which hopefully will provide a degree of future proofing. The board was slightly bigger than my old board, but this caused no problems. I had to replace the power supply because it did not have the 4 pin 12V connector that the Pentium 4 and Athlon 64 both require.

John

[John_T]

Another good reason to replace the power supply is that often cheap PSs or an underpowered PS on a system causes problems or even damage as a consequence, and the PS isn't considered as the cause. It is not infrequent that people change about everything on a system but the PS and wonder why they still have problems, or even have more problems. Cheap PSs are famous for inadequate circuit protection and imbalanced feeds under load resulting in crashes and/or eventual damage.

Today 300W is the minimum, and the more high performace CPU/motherboard, HDs, CD/DVDs, case fans, etc. you have, the more you need a better quality and higher power PS. Quality is more important than power in terms of circuit protection and load handling.