Need a new CPU (UK )

Hello.

I think my CPU is officially on its death bed. Had random system lock ups for months now, and changed everything except the CPU itself including RAM, graphics card and motherboard.

Trouble is, its an Athlon XP 3000+ @ 2.16GHz, 333FSB, Socket A/462. I can't find anywhere that stocks this stuff any more, other than eBay, but they're asking silly money even for used ones. The prices they're asking, I might as well buy new if I could find a reliable supplier.

Moving to a newer CPU isn't an option since that'd involve buying a new motherboard, new RAM and possible a PCIE graphics card as well, on top of the cost of a new CPU.

Other than that, anyone got a spare one kicking about that they might be willing to sell?

Tried underclocking it to see if the lockups go away?

Hmm... that might work as a short term fix. Just turned it down to 1.8Ghz from 2.16Ghz, see if it manages to stay up for more than a couple of days this time.

Worth trying a CPU app to see if it finds any problems - the AMD ones have some kind of idling thing that can be enabled - it could be the processor is overheating:

http://www.majorgeeks.com/downloads14.html

GfK,

I had a similar problem before.

I changed *everything*. CPU, Memory, Hard Drive, PSU,GFX card, all add-ons etc...

Turns out that somehow the case was causing it- running the system outside of the case worked- so I got it a new case and all was gone.

I really don't know what actually *caused* the problem though... I even changed the motherboard and was absolutely gobsmacked when the problem was still there!

I've changed that too! A list of what I've changed:

Motherboard
RAM*
Graphics card
Hard Drives
Removed both CD ROM drives
Wireless adapter
PSU
Mouse and Keyboard
OS reinstall
Fans**
Case

There's only the CPU left!

* - I have 3 x 512Mb. I've tried with each of them in by themselves and it still happened, so I suppose there's the possibility of all three having the exact same fault, however, there's a higher probability of Lord Lucan riding into Yorkshire on Red Rum and giving me a winning lottery ticket that he stole from Elvis. And then getting hit square between the eyes by a meteor.

** - I didn't change the fans in an attempt to solve it. My old ones wouldn't fit in the new case.

Actually, you did say your old mobo was reporting CPU temp at 60c, or something - bit on the hot side, I think, so maybe causing instability?

Then again, I think you said the new mobo reports it at 31c, or something so, t'is a bit of a puzzle. Flippin' computers, eh? :P

Yeah it was touching on 70C last summer. I'm pretty sure that can't have been accurate.

On my new mobo the temperature is currently 37C (or was before I underclocked it) and thats after being on for nearly 24 hours straight. I suppose its possible that, if the old board wasn't reporting the temperature right, that it could've caused damage over a long period of time?

Any recommendations on CPU-testing software? Puki's list is a bit 'extensive'...

or perhaps the old board was right- maybe it was over-voltaging?

That happened to my old Athlon XP2600- my Abit board fried it slowly by giving it too many Vs. In a new system the CPU ran at 25-35C and ran much better, although it was already suffering from the damage caused by the old case (you could see blisters IIRC) so i got a new CPU and the whole problem went away.

Anyway, Sorry mate- I actually had a SocketA chip available but I got rid of it a couple of weeks back!

i have an amd64 mobo you can have for £20+postage, it has an agp slot and uses standard ddr ram.

Thanks I'll bear that in mind if I can't resolve the CPU problem cheaper than replacing the lot.

Will your mobo take 3x512mb PC2700 RAM?

yes, you can also get an amd64 3500+ for £40 now.

Remove one memory stick or add one more. I've seen a lot of strange problems when odd number of memory sticks were used. I usually use 2 or 4 and never have problems with my systems.

Barney

I have 2 in at the moment on a new motherboard. Its still doing it.

Crap bios settings.