[MickY G]

Hello

I am new here so please bare with me. I have an Acer Aspire T180 that I have upgraded quite a bit, so much so, that I am now running Vista Ultimate with no problems at all. The present system specs are as follows:

2Gb Corsair RAM
nVidia 8500GT 512 DDR2 GPU
AMD 3400+ 16bit (1.81GHz)

And a few other whistles and bells etc. What I would like to know is: Is it possible for me to upgrade my processor to something faster? I have contacted Acer and they inform me that the MOBO is a bespoke make (whatever that may mean)? I have benchmarked with Lavalys Everest Ultimate Edition & PC Wizard 2007 and both say the same thing, which is listed below. I have pasted everything that it says about the MOBO. Is there anyone out there who could inform me if it is possible to upgrade my CPU with the very sparse details I have provided here below please? Thank you in advance if you can. BTW, I have very limited knowledge regarding these matters, so if you can help, could you please describe it in idiot-proof context as I am just that when it comes to these type of things. LOL? Also, it's a socket AM2 (if that helps)?
Many thanks.
Mick

Motherboard Properties
Motherboard ID 09/14/2006-MCP61M-AM-6A61KE11C-00
Motherboard Name Acer EM61PM/EM61SM

Front Side Bus Properties
Bus Type AMD Hammer
Real Clock 200 MHz
Effective Clock 200 MHz
HyperTransport Clock 800 MHz

Memory Bus Properties
Bus Type Dual DDR2 SDRAM
Bus Width 128-bit
DRAM:FSB Ratio CPU/7
Real Clock 258 MHz (DDR)
Effective Clock 517 MHz
Bandwidth 8266 MB/s

[alex]

Originally Posted by MickY G Hello I am new here so please bare with me. I have an Acer Aspire T180 that I have upgraded quite a bit, so much so, that I am now running Vista Ultimate with no problems at all. The present system specs are as follows: 2Gb Corsair RAM nVidia 8500GT 512 DDR2 GPU AMD 3400+ 16bit (1.81GHz) And a few other whistles and bells etc. What I would like to know is: Is it possible for me to upgrade my processor to something faster? I have contacted Acer and they inform me that the MOBO is a bespoke make (whatever that may mean)? I have benchmarked with Lavalys Everest Ultimate Edition & PC Wizard 2007 and both say the same thing, which is listed below. I have pasted everything that it says about the MOBO. Is there anyone out there who could inform me if it is possible to upgrade my CPU with the very sparse details I have provided here below please? Thank you in advance if you can. BTW, I have very limited knowledge regarding these matters, so if you can help, could you please describe it in idiot-proof context as I am just that when it comes to these type of things. LOL? Also, it's a socket AM2 (if that helps)? Many thanks. Mick Motherboard Properties Motherboard ID 09/14/2006-MCP61M-AM-6A61KE11C-00 Motherboard Name Acer EM61PM/EM61SM Front Side Bus Properties Bus Type AMD Hammer Real Clock 200 MHz Effective Clock 200 MHz HyperTransport Clock 800 MHz Memory Bus Properties Bus Type Dual DDR2 SDRAM Bus Width 128-bit DRAM:FSB Ratio CPU/7 Real Clock 258 MHz (DDR) Effective Clock 517 MHz Bandwidth 8266 MB/s

Hey up Micky, what you've got there is a Socket AM2 (940 pin) AMD Sempron. Pretty much the lowest of the low when it comes to cpu's.

The mobo details you've posted look to me like a foxconn brand but flavoured to Acer's taste's by the manufacturer. I believe (please note the choice of words there), considering its an AM2 socket, your motherboard will support any of the socket AM2 cpu's upto and including the FX-74 dual-core. But I strongly advise contacting Acer to confirm this just to be sure.

Also, if you do upgrade to a faster cpu you may want to think about a different HSF (HeatSink and Fan) for the cpu because Sempron's run very cool and your current HSF may not be suitable for a hotter running cpu.

When you contact Acer check your psu rating with them and if it will handle the power requirements of the cpu you decide to get as Acer us generic psu's in their systems and tend to run as close to possible to the maximum power the psu can provide.

[MickY G]

Hi again Alex and thank you very much for the good advice. As you rightly say, the AMD CPU runs very cool and hardly gives off any heat at all but the GPU is a totally different matter and I have to keep a small desktop fan facing the side panel vents to keep things cool (see GPU details below). I forgot to mention in my last post that I have upgraded the PSU already. According to Acer, the Aspire T180 comes with a 250w PSU but the benchmarks actually say its a 350w and some of the other guys on other forums have said the same. I got a 550w PSU as I was getting the new GPU and knew it would need a lot more oomph in the power department, so the 550w should handle everything I need as I am not that much of an ardent gamer but do enjoy playing now and then. But of course, if you think an even higher PSU would benefit me, then I shall purchase one as soon as I can afford one. Acer are absolutely useless to get a reply from, which is why I try and always use the forums as Acer either tell you a whole crock of crap or normally, just ignore my emails, so it's pointless me asking them for details.

I was of the opinion, though I could be wrong, that when you buy a new CPU, it comes with the correct heatsink and fan etc? My mate just got a dual core socket AM2 for £70 form PC World (an unopened and unused return, hence the cheap price) and his came with the heatsink and fan etc. However, I am not certain on that matter so I will leave that up to you guys, the experts,

The nVidia 8500GT GPU that I got was, unfortunatly, a Dabs Value one (I am on Incap Bnft (kidney transplant) so couldn't afford anything better), so it is obviously nothing special. A very small sort of Bakalite heatsink (totally useless) and a very small white fan. I was of the opinion that these too, could be upgraded with better heatsinks and fans etc, though only having two PCI slots, it would have to be a very slim piece of equipment if it were possible to change the heatsing and fan on the GPU, although there is a good 2"-2.5" gap between the PCIe GPU and the first PCI slot but I wouldn't have the foggiest idea what to get to be able to replace the heatsink and fan, even if it were possible? Please excuse if I am late in replying because I am only on dial-up at the moment, until I go with Talk Talk in 21 days. Thanks again for the advice and sorry its a bit of a long post but I am not technically minded and do;t know how to really explain everything properly. Cheers! Mick.

[alex]

Originally Posted by MickY G Hi again Alex and thank you very much for the good advice. As you rightly say, the AMD CPU runs very cool and hardly gives off any heat at all but the GPU is a totally different matter and I have to keep a small desktop fan facing the side panel vents to keep things cool (see GPU details below). I forgot to mention in my last post that I have upgraded the PSU already. According to Acer, the Aspire T180 comes with a 250w PSU but the benchmarks actually say its a 350w and some of the other guys on other forums have said the same. I got a 550w PSU as I was getting the new GPU and knew it would need a lot more oomph in the power department, so the 550w should handle everything I need as I am not that much of an ardent gamer but do enjoy playing now and then. But of course, if you think an even higher PSU would benefit me, then I shall purchase one as soon as I can afford one. Acer are absolutely useless to get a reply from, which is why I try and always use the forums as Acer either tell you a whole crock of crap or normally, just ignore my emails, so it's pointless me asking them for details. I was of the opinion, though I could be wrong, that when you buy a new CPU, it comes with the correct heatsink and fan etc? My mate just got a dual core socket AM2 for £70 form PC World (an unopened and unused return, hence the cheap price) and his came with the heatsink and fan etc. However, I am not certain on that matter so I will leave that up to you guys, the experts, The nVidia 8500GT GPU that I got was, unfortunatly, a Dabs Value one (I am on Incap Bnft (kidney transplant) so couldn't afford anything better), so it is obviously nothing special. A very small sort of Bakalite heatsink (totally useless) and a very small white fan. I was of the opinion that these too, could be upgraded with better heatsinks and fans etc, though only having two PCI slots, it would have to be a very slim piece of equipment if it were possible to change the heatsing and fan on the GPU, although there is a good 2"-2.5" gap between the PCIe GPU and the first PCI slot but I wouldn't have the foggiest idea what to get to be able to replace the heatsink and fan, even if it were possible? Please excuse if I am late in replying because I am only on dial-up at the moment, until I go with Talk Talk in 21 days. Thanks again for the advice and sorry its a bit of a long post but I am not technically minded and do;t know how to really explain everything properly. Cheers! Mick.

Hi Micky, the psu you've got will be able to handle most things thrown at it based upon the usage you've quoted and its wattage rating.

I mentioned the hsf on the cpu because you can purchase oem versions of cpu's (not retail boxed and without the stock hsf).

Sounds like you could fit a double-width cooler on the gpu from the meaurements you've quoted above. But pics would allow me to make a better determination.

You can purchase after-market hsf's for gpu's, if you're interested in that i can have a nosey around for you if you'd like? I suggest, considering the core spec of the 8500 you could definately go passive (no fan) which would cut down on noise but you would need decent airflow throughout the case to begin with, and room secondly (this is where pics would also help).

Don't apologise regarding your reply! we're here to help and we're charged with replying in a timely manner, not you.

[MickY G]

Hi Alex
I have taken some pics (quite a few actually) so you can see exactly what the set-up is. One problem. What size for pics and how do I get them to you on this forum?
Mick

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[MickY G]

Hi Alex

I have left some pics on ImageShack for you to have a look at. http://profile.imageshack.us/user/MickY_G/
Unfortunately, they are a wee bit on the small side and some are doubled as I didn't have the foggiest idea what the hell I was doing! However, you can get an idea of what we are talking about anyway. The picture of the GPU with the cigarette ighter next to it gives an approximate size of the gap between the GPU and the first PCI slot which houses the dial-up modem for the time being until I get with TalkTalk in the next couple of weeks. The distance from the GPU to the first PCI card is just a tad less than the height of the lighter. Also, there are no ventilation holes on the case side panel that is against the wall, hence that is the way I have positioned it and there is at least a good 4 inches of space behind the back of the case, so there should be plenty of ventilation. The desktop fan also helps as my flat is the top flat and gets the sun on the roof all day, every day if it is sunny, hence it gets really, really hot in my flat. I forgot to mention that in the next couple of weeks, I will be buying a bigger black, clear side-panelled ATX gaming case and everything in the Acer case, will be put into the new case, so that will definately give a lot more ventilation. I used to use an MSI nVidia GeForce 7300GT PCI-e card and that had passive cooling with a largish heatsink. However, I am not too worried about the noise coming from the case so if you are going to have a nose around and see if there are any cooling mods that can be used with my present GPU, then I really dont mind if it is a HSF at all as then at least I can actually see that it is doing something by the very fact that the fan is working! I hope this all makes sense and once again, thanks. It's always nice to know someone out there can be bothered to help us less computer educated than others. Blimey! This has got to be one of the longest posts ever! Cheers! Mick.

[alex]

Hey Micky.

Just a courtesy reply really. Got to go to work at the moment, pulling 15 hour shifts due to all the flooding across the region but i'll be back as soon as i can.

Cheers.

[alex]

Had to squint to view the pics fella :) but as it stands (in your current case) there's plenty of room for a a new hsf for both the gpu and the cpu.

As it stands i'm unable to find an aftermarket hsf for the 8500gt, but I've emailed Nvidia as looking at the mounting holes i suspect any one of the current Zalman series (FS-V7, VF-700, VF-900) will fit. Could be wrong on that though so I'll wait back to hear.

For an upgraded hsf for your new cpu (decided what you're getting yet?) there simply is none better on a volume/cost/performance basis than the Arctic Cooling Freezer 64.

[MickY G]

Cheers Alex!
Sounds like you have your work cut out with all the flooding we have had recently? We have not had much down here although we have had plenty of rain & some wicked electric thunder storms! Sorry about the size of the pics. I tried to make them small to put on the forum but they were still to large & I forgot to re-size them up again to put on ImageShack. Last year (October 31st), I had all my computer stuff confiscated by the police. They raided me at 4 in the morning & took the lot! I can't say on here the reason why they did it, suffice to say, I have now cleared my name (& someone is going to get their kneecaps severly damaged) & I collected the lot from the local police station this morning & I got everything back that they took (there was nothing there for them to keep that they suspected might be there) as there was nothing that they were looking for, to be found anywhere on any of my computers or in my flat And I got my new laptop back that I had only had a week before the 'pigs' took it. I also got my other Acer machine back, That one is an Acer Aspire T135 though & inside it I had forgotten that I had a Thermaltake 80mm blue LED fan screwed to the back. Well, I have now removed that & screwed it onto the side panel of the Acer T180, near the bottom and in front of the GPU & the screw holes just matched perfectly with the some of the air vent holes in the side panel. My case is now as cool as a cucumber! It's amazing just what differenece one little fan can make? I will however, still use the HSF that we are talking about for the GPU, as it will come in handy for when my mate moves everything from the Acer case, into the new gaming case I propose to buy shortly. Don't forget though, that my nVidia GPU is not an all whistles & bells branded card. It is only a cheap & nasty (Inno 3D) Dab's value 8500GT but it is certified for Vista & DirectX 10. Looks very basic but does the job I suppose, although I have not noticed much difference to be quite honest when I play games? I might give Acer a ring later today or in the week & get some details from them regarding upgrading the CPU in my machine as the email I got from them didn't say much at all, other than the MOBO is bespoke? I did speak to them a few years ago & they were very helpful on the phone. Oh well, yet another post as long as a bloody novel! I just get carried away when I am typing. I think it's because I live on my own & never go anywhere or see anyone as my friends suddenly disappeared when I got made redundant a couple of years ago. Cheers again Alex, your advice is always most welcome & I am also learning things at the same time. LaterZ! Mick

[MickY G]

Hi Alex

I think I have found a HSF that will fit my GPU? My mate got one for his nVidia GPU and it was the wrong one but he thinks it might be OK for mine? He said I could have it if it does fit and is the correct one. If it does fit, it will also leave plenty of room underneath as it shouldn't be anywhere near the PCI slot and card below it.
Mick

[alex]

That's good to hear Micky :)

Any problems, shout up.

[MickY G]

OK, thanks Alex.