AMD 64-bit CPUs

[tim3003]

Hi,

My (fairly old) self-built PC seems to be getting slower, I think because when web-browsing with many tabs, its 4gb RAM is too little. I am running Win 7 32-bit, so am wondering about upgrading to Win 7 64-bit and increasing RAM. I have an Asus M5A78L mobo, which I think will run 64-bit CPUs. I currently have an AMD FX-4170, which I think is a 32-bit CPU. Can anyone explain which AMD FX- or other suitable CPUs are 64-bit capable, so I can upgrade? The mobo socket handles up to AM3+.

Thanks.

 

[David Bisset]

It's a 64-bit CPU no worries

 

[Nutella33]

All of their processors can run 64bit including the FX-4170. Without overhauling the whole system to newer stuff, your best bet would be a FX-8350. But I'd imagine the RAM and OS change should do the trick.

 

[tim3003]

All of their processors can run 64bit including the FX-4170. Without overhauling the whole system to newer stuff, your best bet would be a FX-8350. But I'd imagine the RAM and OS change should do the trick.

Thanks, I Googled the subject, and people said to check Windows Start menu/System Info, and if it said the CPU was x86 (instead of x64), it means 32-bit, which mine did. Were they wrong?

 

[nemesisuk2]

Check with CPU-Z as if the windows is 32bit windows will report the cpu as 32bit.

 

[Nutella33]

and if it said the CPU was x86 (instead of x64), it means 32-bit, which mine did. Were they wrong?

Yes. That check only means it is reporting in 32bit currently....but that's because you have a 32bit OS installed so it wouldn't be reporting in 64bit.

When you install your new OS, your current AMD processor will say x86-64, which is how AMD process 64bit applications.

 

[MasterOC]

youll be limited to 3gb addressable anyway with a 32bit system , another gb from an os upgrade should help a wee bitty

 

[MasterOC]

youll be limited to 3gb addressable anyway with a 32bit system , another gb from an os upgrade should help a wee bitty, x86 is the actual architecture , all 64bit cpus are still x86(32bit) compatible

 

[beany_bot]

youll be limited to 3gb addressable anyway with a 32bit system , another gb from an os upgrade should help a wee bitty

3.5 I belive. But yeah potato potaato

 

[tim3003]

youll be limited to 3gb addressable anyway with a 32bit system , another gb from an os upgrade should help a wee bitty

Actually, I've already upgraded to 8GB in preparation, but of course Win 7 32-bit can only see 3.2GB - I can see from Task Manager that when RAM usage gets much over 2GB the system slows down..

 

[blaineoliver]

Windows 10 wouldn't be the worst thing to install.

 

[JTrickle]

RAM and OS change should do the trick.

Need to be installing out onto an SSD. At least ssds are the one thing that's been coming down on price recently. And you only need the bottom spec ones.

 

[Orcvader]

AMD's CPUs has been 64-bit since the Athlon 64, the FX-4170 is a good decade newer then that. All FX CPUs for AM3+ boards will work with 64-bit Windows without any issues.

 

[humbug]

Its a 64Bit CPU.

 

[geordiejc]

An ssd will make your system nice and snappy ,also a clean install of Windows will help.

4gb ram is more than enough for web browsing with multiple tabs

 

[Bonjour]

SSD and 64-bit OS should see you good.

If you want a little more poke, pick up an FX-8320 for cheap from somewhere.

 

[tim3003]

I've just installed an FX-8350. It runs at 4.0ghz and has a turbo setting up to 4.2, but I'd like to overclock it further. I have dabbled with altering clock ratios before and could do that again. But this is a Black edition, and has the CPU-VID unlocked too. (AMD Overdrive shows it at a default of 1.35v, but the slider goes up to 1.41v). Is it best just to up the clock ratio, or up the voltage as well? If so, do I up the voltage by one step per 100mhz clock speed, or is there a safer way of jointly increasing them?

 

[blaineoliver]

Easiest thing to do is up the multiplier and give it some move volts. Somewhere around 4.8GHz or 4.7GHz should be comfortably possible with volts around 1.38v I think. 1.35v is actually plenty, you could easily undervolt and keep it at the same speed, about 1.3-1.25v should be fine at stock.