A couple 'would you upgrade' questions (3600+ / E5200)

[jlee]

My brother is coming over next weekend, and I was thinking about surprising him with a new processor. He has my old system (Asus mATX board (I don't recall the model - mATX with onboard HDMI, PCI-e), 3600+ x2 @ 2.1 or 2.3, 4Gb, 7800GT). He uses his system almost exclusively for gaming (1024x768 15" LCD). I am thinking about picking up a 5600+ ($50.99 at Newegg). He doesn't have internet at home so he can't really play many new games (which require internet validation, anyway).

Secondly, I have an E5200 @ 3.24Ghz on an Abit IP35-E, 4Gb DDR2-800 and a Vapor-X 4890. I was thinking about a complete rebuild this summer (Core i-series), but am now considering an E8xxx or a quad. I use mine for general internet stuff and gaming.

So, I'm curious to see what AT thinks - do you think a $50 CPU would extend the life of his system considerably? At 1024x768, I imagine he is much more limited by his CPU than GPU.

Also, for my system...for those of you who went to an i-series platform, was the difference pretty significant? I figure I could go to a 5850 and a high-end C2D/quad for what it would cost me to go with a Core i5/i7 (keeping my 4890).

 

[severus]

I saw an x2 5000 Black Edition for $50 shipped in the FS/FT forums that should easily overclock to 3.1-3.3 ghz. I'd pick that up and drop it in, and there should be a significant increase. I have the 3800x2 and I notice a huge difference between my computer and my friends with a 5000 Black Edition.

 

[VirtualLarry]

The IP35-E was a good board for 45nm dual-cores, but it was a bit iffy on quads. Especially due to teh fact that no official BIOS ever supported E0-step CPUs. There's the unofficial BETA 18 (beta2), that has E0 support, but has other minor issues.
The other issue was the power delivery on the IP35-E, which wasn't exactly stellar, and was known to degrade with overclocked quads, esp. the Q6600 at above 3.2Ghz.

Then again, that might be an option for you, is upgrade to a Q6600 and clock it to 3.2.

 

[jlee]

Would the Q6600 be any faster overall (other than just having two more cores, so faster in multi-threaded applications)? I wonder if I might be better off just going with an i5 then -- just wish I had a Fry's nearby so I could wait for another buy-i5-and-get-free-board deal.

Ahh thanks, I will check FS/T.

 

[VirtualLarry]

No, the Q6600 wouldn't be any faster than your E5200, for single-threaded or dual-threaded apps. Just multi-threaded (>3) apps.

 

[jlee]

Okay, thanks. Now I am leaning towards upgrading my brother's x2 and keeping mine until I'm ready to drop the cash on a Core system.

 

[happy medium]

Would the Q6600 be any faster overall (other than just having two more cores, so faster in multi-threaded applications)? I wonder if I might be better off just going with an i5 then -- just wish I had a Fry's nearby so I could wait for another buy-i5-and-get-free-board deal.

Ahh thanks, I will check FS/T.

You can pick up a e8400 for around 100/120$ overclock it 3.6 and it will= your e5200 at 4.0.
Thats a good 800 mhz bump and if you can get 45$ for your e5200 even better.

 

[Hey Zeus]

IF i had to do it all over again i'd buy an E8500/X48 Combo

 

[jlee]

I snagged that 5000+ BE for $50 and will see if I come across anything good for an 8 series.

 

[OBLAMA2009]

You can pick up a e8400 for around 100/120$ overclock it 3.6 and it will= your e5200 at 4.0.
Thats a good 800 mhz bump and if you can get 45$ for your e5200 even better.

where? a used one?

 

[jlee]

where? a used one?

Yeah, they're $100-125 on FS/T. If I knew I could run an e0, I would probably get one...but if I have a flaky board it might not be worth the risk.

 

[lopri]

IF i had to do it all over again i'd buy an E8500/X48 Combo

Just say no to X48. P45 >>>> X48.

 

[EnzoLT]

x38 in my sig is good too. haha