Upgrade from 32 bit Sempron to Athlon 64?

[Eric C]

I currently have a socket 754 Sempron 3100+ CPU. My motherboard also
supports socket 754 Athlon 64 chips. I was wondering if I can upgrade
without having to reinstall windows or any applications? I know the
Athlon 64 is backwards compatible to 32 bits, but would I not be
getting any benefit from the 64 bit architecture if I didn't reinstall?
Would I have to install the 64 bit version of windows to gain any
benefit? Thanks.

 

[kony]

I currently have a socket 754 Sempron 3100+ CPU. My motherboard also
supports socket 754 Athlon 64 chips. I was wondering if I can upgrade
without having to reinstall windows or any applications?

Yes, that's not an issue.

I know the
Athlon 64 is backwards compatible to 32 bits, but would I not be
getting any benefit from the 64 bit architecture if I didn't reinstall?

You wouldn't get benefit if you did reinstall, because it's
not a 64 bit OS.

The benefit of A64 is primarily one of the CPU being faster
at 32 bit too, assuming you buy a sufficiently higher
performing model of CPU, of course.

Would I have to install the 64 bit version of windows to gain any
benefit? Thanks.

No. What most people gain at present from 64bit windows is
a lot of instability and limited driver support. If/when
you need it, you'll know it.

 

[Eric C]

Great, thanks. Just one more question. Can I re-use the CPU fan that is
currently on my Sempron on the Athlon 64? I know it had a sticky
surface that (if past experience holds true) is useless once removed.
So I would probably have to add thermal paste, but it would be nice if
I didn't have to buy a new fan.

 

[kony]

Great, thanks. Just one more question. Can I re-use the CPU fan that is
currently on my Sempron on the Athlon 64?

Usually yes, but if the A64 is a much higher performance
chip it may produce more heat at full load too. It's
definitely worth a try then if it seems inadequate for full
load situations you can then consider replacing it.

I know it had a sticky
surface that (if past experience holds true) is useless once removed.
So I would probably have to add thermal paste, but it would be nice if
I didn't have to buy a new fan.

Yes, once removed the original thermal interface material
can't be reused. Clean it off and use a good thermal
compound, preferribly synthetic based such as Arctic Silver,
Arctic Alumina, et al.