Important information about a computer is the processor upgradability of the motherboard. Can the processor be upgraded, and, if so, how much faster than the existing processor is the fastest processor that the motherboard can support?
Visit the Processor Sockets sections of this website for information on the different types of sockets that motherboards that run AMD and Intel processors (old and new) use.
Before purchasing a computer, you should always insist on a written specification that lists the make and model of the motherboard. You should then be able to visit the manufacturer's website, download the user manual, and find out such information as what processors the motherboard supports, the make and model of its chipset, and BIOS, and what types of RAM are supported.
If you cannot obtain a manual in this way, insist on being given this information by the company selling the computer.
You can download the manuals for the latest MSI motherboards free of charge from http://www.msi.com.tw/. The manuals provide illustrated instructions on how to install the processor in its socket. Each type of processor will have its own method of being correctly aligned in its socket. Instructions are also provided in the manual on how to install a heatsink and fan unit over the processor. All of the major motherboard manufacturers provide user manuals for their boards, and copies in the PDF format are also provided from the motherboard manufacturer's website. Those instructions are also provided when you buy a retail, boxed processor.
Note that some motherboard (mainboard) manufacturers have a section of their website devoted to providing information on the processors (CPUs) that a particular model can use. For example, MSI provides this information, which is currently (March 2009) under Products => Mainboard => CPU Support.
If say, your desktop PC has an MSI RS482M2-IL/ L (Socket 939) motherboard that is running an AMD Athlon 64 3000+ single-core processor, you can find out which faster AMD processors can be used. You are also told which BIOS version has to be installed in order to use a particular processor. Most of the processors that the above-mentioned motherboard can run can do so with the 3.9 version of the BIOS that it uses installed. The MSI website also provides the latest BIOS for that motherboard. The above-mentioned motherboard can run Socket 939 (not Socket AM2) single-core and dual-core AMD Athlon 64 and Opteron processors. The fastest Athlon 64 X2 dual-core processor you can upgrade to is the Athlon 64 X2 Dual-Core 4800+ (E6 version) with BIOS version 3.9 installed, which is a considerable improvement on the single-core AMD 64 3000+ processor that it already has. The PC will fly if it is running Windows XP Home or Professional with all of the Service Packs installed (up to SP3) and 1GB of RAM memory or more (up to a maximum of 4GB unless you are using the 64-bit version of Windows XP Professional, which can use up to 128GB of RAM memory). If the PC has a 32-bit Windows Vista with Service Pack 1 (SP1) installed, you will probably have to have 4GB of memory installed to provide equivalent performance.
This Upgrade Checklists page provides information on the upgradability of the processor of desktop PCs dating from before 1997 to the present.
