New MAME cab computer, am I missing something?

[ashardin]

So I got one of those cheap deals on pricewatch.com, the machine I purchased was:

# AMD 3200A+
# 256MB DDR
# Integrated 3D Extreme Video Accelerator
# Intergrated 32-bit PCI Sound chipset
# ATX Mid Tower Case COMET
etc...

When I go to Control Panel--->System, the computer is listed as:

AMD Sempron (tm) 2200+
1.49 GHz, 256MB RAM

Those chips don't seem to match up, but I don't have much experience with AMD chips.  Did I get sent the wrong system/get ripped off, is there something I have to do in the bios to set up the speed correctly, or does Windows XP simply list the CPU incorrectly?

[DaemonCollector]

If its being listed as a Semperon its the wrong chip...you got the shaft my friend. Contact the company you got it from.

[gtjoe]

Not good....

The Sempron is a slower than the Athlon processor line (It's like comparing the Celeron to the Pentium)

The Athlon XP 3200+ runs at 2.2 GHz and the Sempron 2200+ runs at 1.5GHz...

[Scanner]

Dude, you have to set your clock in the bios to match your processor speed.  If you don't set it or have it set to autodetect it can sometimes be off.  Check your manual for the correct clock and Frequesncy multiplyer.  Set it to the 3200 mark and boot it up.  If it doesn't work at the right setting then you might have the Sempron.

[Nocturnaloner]

So I got one of those cheap deals on pricewatch.com, the machine I purchased was:

# AMD 3200A+
# 256MB DDR
# Integrated 3D Extreme Video Accelerator
# Intergrated 32-bit PCI Sound chipset
# ATX Mid Tower Case COMET
etc...

When I go to Control Panel--->System, the computer is listed as:

AMD Sempron (tm) 2200+
1.49 GHz, 256MB RAM

Those chips don't seem to match up, but I don't have much experience with AMD chips.  Did I get sent the wrong system/get ripped off, is there something I have to do in the bios to set up the speed correctly, or does Windows XP simply list the CPU incorrectly?

Someone will correct me if I'm wrong, but a lot of retailers are putting in their listings that the Athlon XPs are discontinued, and the Sempron is its replacement.  As far as I can tell, that 'A+' as in 3200A+ is the designation for a Sempron.  AMD really needs to get its act together with all these confusing chip names.

[j123vt_99]

you could just open the case and see what the chip is marked as.. it should have a label

[pointdablame]

I don't know what the deal is with the "A+"  The AthlonXPs are not discontinued, so any store that says that is a store I would turn away from and run.

If you expected an Athlon, you got shafted.  If you were supposed to get a Sempron, or whatever a "A+" chip was, then you're BIOS is set incorrectly as mentioned.  Go into your BIOS and adjust your Front Side Bus. you're multiplier will more than likely be correct already.

[ashardin]

Googling the Mobo, I found this page from the manufacturer(the Mobo is a biostar m7vig 400):

http://www.biostar-usa.com/mbdetails.asp?model=m7vig+400-combo4

Which looks suspiciously like the bundle I have. 

j123vt_99 you are right that is the easiest course of action...but they have a mess of warranty stickers on the CPU, Heat Sink, and CPU fan to show if they have been removed, and I'm not about to break them since I'm going to try to send this machine back if its not what I expected.

[Nocturnaloner]

I don't know what the deal is with the "A+"  The AthlonXPs are not discontinued, so any store that says that is a store I would turn away from and run.

Yeah, turns out they are:
http://www.computerbuyer.co.uk/buyer/news/69332/amd-confirms-end-of-line-for-old-athlon-xp-desktop-processor.html

But even so, it's not like they're not still easy to get.

[j123vt_99]

Googling the Mobo, I found this page from the manufacturer(the Mobo is a biostar m7vig 400):

http://www.biostar-usa.com/mbdetails.asp?model=m7vig+400-combo4

Which looks suspiciously like the bundle I have.

[pointdablame]

I don't know what the deal is with the "A+"  The AthlonXPs are not discontinued, so any store that says that is a store I would turn away from and run.

Yeah, turns out they are:
http://www.computerbuyer.co.uk/buyer/news/69332/amd-confirms-end-of-line-for-old-athlon-xp-desktop-processor.html

But even so, it's not like they're not still easy to get.

Yeah in my haste to post, I didn't come off to clear.  My point is they are still pretty much EVERYWHERE, and if you bought a combo with an AXP, there is no reason (yet) why you wouldn't get one.

[Trenchbroom]

Does the mobo have a VIA chipset?  It used to be that until you installed their software drivers in Windows (the 4 in 1 stuff) you wouldn't be able to run the mobo at full speed. 

Things might have changed (been a few years since I had a VIA chipset) but you might check it out.

[SOAPboy]

If the PC is reading Sempron, its a sempron, not a athlon.. regardless of clock speeds, itll still read the CPU as what MODEL it is.. it might pick it up as a 1600XP or something if the FSB is wrong, but itll STILL say ATHLON in windows..