Computer Upgrade advice!

[nick0530]

Hey guys! I just got a little extra money and am looking to upgrade my computer a bit.
Here are the specs:
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System Information
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Time of this report: 11/1/2011, 15:31:42
Machine name: NICK-PC
-Operating System: Windows Vista™ Home Premium (6.0, Build 6002) Service Pack 2 (6002.vistasp2_gdr.110617-0336)
-Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
-System Manufacturer: BIOSTAR Group
-System Model: TA790GX 128M
- BIOS: Default System BIOS
-Processor: AMD Phenom(tm) II X3 720 Processor (3 CPUs), ~2.8GHz
-Memory: 6142MB RAM
Page File: 3761MB used, 8751MB available
Windows Dir: C:\Windows
DirectX Version: DirectX 11
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
DxDiag Version: 7.00.6002.18107 32bit Unicode
_________________________________________________________________
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Display Devices
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Card name: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 460 SE
Manufacturer: NVIDIA
Chip type: GeForce GTX 460 SE


750gb HD, 850w Black Widow Gaming PSU

I'm thinking of upgrading my Processor, but I'm not sure.

Any advice guys?
Thanks in advance!

 

[denis280]

you could put a 4 cores. but you wont see big change.go on the motherboard site and see if it takes 6 cores.

 

[Motorheader]

Can that board enable the 4th core on that chip?

Max processor would likely be cost prohibitive at this time since I don't believe that board does 6 core.

 

[nick0530]

How do I find out if I can unlock the fourth core?

 

[Motorheader]

An outline of unlocking on various boards (including yours) here:

http://www.raymond.cc/forum/tutoria...cores-on-amd-phenom-ii-550-be-710-720-be.html

Direct link for Biostar here:

http://www.lejabeach.com/Biostar/

Let us know how it went.

 

[nick0530]

I actually found out how to unlock the fourth one before you responded lol, but either way it isn't working atm because I don't have the 78DEA113 revision for the motherboard.
I saw the link where you linked the revisions, but can't really find out how to change it without overclocking it.
If you have any information on that, it would be much appreciated!

Until then, i'm going to continue doing research! Thanks!

 

[pandemonium]

Knowing your goals and/or purposes of the computer would help determine how you should go about upgrading as well. ^^

This form, found in the sticky of General Hardware sub-forum, is great to out line your specific intentions.

 

[Motorheader]

It is not the board revision that is referred to in successful unlocking but the bios revision. If you goto the second link provided and click on your particular Biostar MB that leads to link for the correct known bios for unlocking the 4th core if the CPU supports it.

 

[Mongrelchops]

Keep the spec - spend the money on other treats? what monitor do you have? speakers? Windows 7?

An AMD Phenom X3, 6GB of Ram and a GTX460 is a well good spec!

Take it you are running Vista x64?

 

[nick0530]

Firstly, I appreciate all of you helping!

As far as the other "goodies" go, I have Vista 64, a 24" Monitor, don't need speakers, cause I just use my headset and have a woofer system in case I don't or have people over.

I was thinking of Windows 7, but the main reason for me wanting to upgrade my computer is for the new SW:TOR game coming out which I beta tested, and only ran at like 12 fps stable. While alone I'd get to 30ish but no higher than that. In WoW, I can easily stay at 60 on high / 40 on ultra in raids and such.

I want to be able to stay at LEAST above 30 when SW:TOR releases in late December.