Question about CPUs

[rditto48801]

Is there any problems that could be caused to a Motherboard or other parts of a PC from a bad CPU?

I ask because I ended up getting a CPU today from a friend who recently upgraded their computer, and I am wary about using it if it could cause any serious problems (being used and whatnot).

I presently have an AMD Sempron 3200+, and they gave me an AMD Athlon 64 3200+ (along with a boxy looking heatsink/fan for it).

It's not much of an improvement, but at least it's better than the Sempron, but I don't want to go for a 'small' improvement if my PC could be at risk due to the CPU not being all it is cracked up to be, although it does appear to be in good condition.

[Blín D'ñero]

If your motherboard supports it (the socket, the FSB and the speed): no problem. A 'bad' CPU could not damage your board; if it is burnt, it simply won't work. But would a friend give you a faulty CPU?

Your motherboard: K9N4_Ultra-F

CPU

• Supports 64-bit AMD® Sempron, Athlon™ 64 /Athlon 64 X2 processor (Socket AM2)
• Supports Sempron CPU: 3000+, 3200+, 3400+, 3500+, 3600+, 3800+
• Supports Athlon 64 CPU: 3500+, 3800+
• Supports Athlon 64 X2 CPU: 3800+, 4000+, 4200, 4400+, 4600+, 4800+, 5000+, 5200+

...so, yes it supports it, and you should try!

[rditto48801]

Okay, thanks for the answer.

I doubt it's faulty, just wanted to be sure, as my friend seems to have bad luck with electronics at times.
He stuck his old CPU in the box for his new CPU (AMD Athlon 64 X2 4400+), so I can somewhat see why he would be willing to simply give me an AMD Athlon 3200+.

Maybe if I am lucky, they will upgrade again within a few months, and save me money of getting a powerhouse CPU myself.

I guess when I actually get around to getting my first upgrade for my PC (or actually get a chance to drop by the computer place), I'll have the computer place person put the CPU in also, since I don't quite trust myself to fiddle around PCs beyond 'simple' tasks like swapping out RAM.

[Blín D'ñero]

Ok. Be prepared: you'll have to reinstall Windows. Because when Windows installs, it creates the registry based on the detected hardware ID's. I hope you have a retail version XP, then you will probably be prompted to activate by phone. No problem though.
So save all your documents, burn them onto DVD or put them on a seperate partition.

[rditto48801]

Bummer on the reinstallation bit.

On the up side, my PC does have a second hard drive in it (80GB iirc), so backing up stuff shouldn't be much of a problem.
I got the Windows XP Home edition, I think the computer person said it was OEM or something like that, since I had bought it seperately when I first had this PC built.
Disk is in a safe place, along with the original 'packaging' and the keycode thingy.

[Blín D'ñero]

With a OEM version you probably won't be able to reinstall XP on the new CPU. OEM version means its ID is fixed to the hardware's ID, (and you get no support from Microsoft). You may change a videocard, soundcard, drives, but a motherboard: no. CPU: maybe, if you can convince them your old CPU died and you put in a replacement. Here is how it goes: you install XP, then have 30 days to activate. You activate by clicking the activation button. It will fail, and you will be given the option to dial a (free) number of a Microsoft activation department in your country. You call that number, say to the person that you had your CPU replaced because the old one had died, and the rest of the hardware is all the same. It is only the truth. Hopefully you will be given a new code.