CPU upgrade question.

Status
Not open for further replies.
Joined
Jul 16, 2008
Messages
862
Location
Massena, NY
I have a Dell Inspiron 531 desktop. She has a dated AMD Athlon 64X2 5000+ CPU. I wanted to get a AMD Phenom X4 9750 quad core CPU. But I was doing some research that my motherboard is a AM2 socket and the quad core uses a AM2+ socket. I know I can use the quad core on my motherboard with no problems but it will only be able to use HyperTransport 2.0 instead of 3.0. Would this degrade the performance of the new CPU at all? Or should I pick up a MOBO/CPU bundle?
 
I think you should pickup a mobo/CPU bundle and go with an i7 instead. The new i7 CPU's are the cats meow right now. (I have an 860 on order, cannot wait)
 
Originally Posted By: SLCraig
I think you should pickup a mobo/CPU bundle and go with an i7 instead. The new i7 CPU's are the cats meow right now. (I have an 860 on order, cannot wait)


Or a less expensive i5 or i3. Both of which still offer phenomenal performance.
 
Originally Posted By: sparkplug
Man I wish I could afford an i7. Would you guys think an i3 would be at par with a AMD quad core?


Given the performance of all the Core-series stuff, I wouldn't be surprised if it was faster than an AMD quad-core.
 
www.tomshardware.com

the main concern is if the newer processor uses the same socket as your previous cpu. If not, you'll have to replace your motherboard as well & do a repair install of windows to redo all the hardware drivers.
 
Yeah, I'm getting a new mobo and cpu. I'd love an Intel but I can't afford it. But you can't really beat a AMD quad and mobo for $180..
 
True. Do you need a quad? The AMD Calisto 550 3.0 ghz has real good ratings and makes a base for either a general purpose PC or a budget gaming rig.
 
I'm not sure. I'd love to have the power. My desktop is now a media/gaming machine. Only a few games take advantage of more than 2 cores but I want to be ready for new games that do. I really want COD MF2. It's bearable in COD WaW at all high settings. FSX, forget about it!
 
Originally Posted By: sparkplug
Yeah, I'm getting a new mobo and cpu. I'd love an Intel but I can't afford it. But you can't really beat a AMD quad and mobo for $180..


http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115057

Core2Quad @ 2.66Ghz

$169.99


http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131607R

ASUS P43 Chipset motherboard

$60.99


So it isn't too much more to go Intel
wink.gif
 
Just to throw in an unsolicited opinion: I have never upgraded a CPU in a computer I use, for me the CPU is generally the last part that needs an upgrade. By the time it does, the whole computer is ready to retire, or has already failed.

But I must add that I don't play games on my PC.
 
The computer is awesome. It multitasks great. I can be downloading music, have music playing, playing CS:S and have aim running and it barely slows down. But it's the new games that require more computing power that bog it down. Granted my video card is something thats need's to be upgraded too. Call of Duty World at War runs pretty good on almost all high settings. But with the newer games like FSX and the new COD I can't get the settings past medium. I have a Blue Ray drive ready to put in too.
 
Originally Posted By: sparkplug
The computer is awesome. It multitasks great. I can be downloading music, have music playing, playing CS:S and have aim running and it barely slows down. But it's the new games that require more computing power that bog it down. Granted my video card is something thats need's to be upgraded too. Call of Duty World at War runs pretty good on almost all high settings. But with the newer games like FSX and the new COD I can't get the settings past medium. I have a Blue Ray drive ready to put in too.


What parts did you buy?
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top Bottom