CPU upgrade ...do I need it, will I notice it?

[jonesthewine]

Current setup is below, the system is snappy enough, but I want to get another year or so out of it.

System Specs:
AMD 4600+ AM2 (2.4 GHz)
MSI K9A platinum MB
2 x 1GB OCZ PC6400 DDRII
GTX 260 @ 600MHz core
19 inch LCD @ 12x10
Vista Ultimate

A 22 inch LCD @ 1680x1050 is in my immediate future...

Will a CPU upgrade , say to a 6000+ AM2 at 3.0 GHZ make a noticeable difference or am I better of saving the $92.00 for something else?

Thanks in advance for any advice.

 

[Denithor]

I'm guessing you do a lot of gaming with this system?

Are you running 32-bit or 64-bit version of Ultimate? If 64-bit, upgrade your memory to 4GB (either add another 2x1GB sticks or replace your sticks with these).

Then overclock your X2 4600 instead of getting a new cpu (shoot for 2.8 to 3.0GHz range).

These changes should easily fill your needs for the next year or so until you are ready to do a full system upgrade.

 

[Proteusza]

I'd say if you want to upgrade your CPU, just buy a new motherboard and CPU. Its a bit more expensive, but you will notice it far more.

 

[soccerballtux]

Do you need a CPU upgrade? The answer is always, with an emphatic, YES!

 

[Idontcare]

Originally posted by: jonesthewine
Will a CPU upgrade , say to a 6000+ AM2 at 3.0 GHZ make a noticeable difference or am I better of saving the $92.00 for something else?

Well with that GPU you are definitely CPU limited if and when you ever find your min framerate to be perceptibly impacting your game playability.

But whether you play games (with enough eye candy enabled) that will be gated by the 2.4GHz CPU so much so that at 1680x1050 the min frames drops to the 30's or lower is really the question you need to determine. Intend on playing Crysis at 1680x1050 with all features maxed? Or are you playing SIM's and WOW?

I'm with the other posters here, upgrading from 2.4 to 3GHz isn't likely to make an unplayable game suddenly playable with your GPU...but an upgrade to your ram could make a difference.

Were I in your shoes I'd put that $92 into a high-yield bank CD and come back to the CPU market in 12 months with $100 looking to buy a 3.4GHz 45nm Phenom for the same cash when allendale and havendale chips start to seriously depress those Deneb prices to the clearing bin extreme. (if you are intent on sticking with an AMD rig)

 

[o1die]

If you live near Fry's electronics, they have the e7200 retail boxed with ecs nvidia chipset board for $99.99 through Tuesday Sept 16th, at least in some Texas stores. This deal is probably in all their ads, but you can search online and check the ad in the larger cities. This would be a good upgrade over the amd cpu, even if you can't overclock with the ecs board.

 

[jonesthewine]

Thanks everyone for the assistance. The chip that I have refuses to OC at all, and it will not boot with all four RAM slots filled.

The system (Vista 32bit) is mainly for games (FPS & Racing sims), music, movies and GPU folding. Everything is playable, no issues there at 12x10 resolution, even with lots of eye candy turned on. I was really looking for the collective wisdom of the group, and you have confirmed what i was thinking all along, which is to wait until February 2009 and then build a new Intel box - and then pass the old rig down the line to my wife (minus the GTX 260).

A few months ago I built my kids a system with an E7200, ASRock MB and and 8800GT so they are set for a while. The E7200 OCs like a champ, BTW.

 

[Proteusza]

I had the same case - my PC with the same motherboard wouldnt boot with all 4 RAM slots filled. To get round it, increase the RAM voltage slightly. I found out that the DIMMS I had were recommended for use with 2.1V, but the motherboard had chosen 1.8V for them. Bump them up to 2.1V, and all is fine.

 

[exar333]

Either a 5200 or 7200 coupled with a decent P35/P45 mobo will only be around $150. You could re-use all your other components and get a noticeably faster system for not a lot of coin.

 

[rogue1979]

Originally posted by: ExarKun333
Either a 5200 or 7200 coupled with a decent P35/P45 mobo will only be around $150. You could re-use all your other components and get a noticeably faster system for not a lot of coin.

With the e5200 all you need is a cheap 945 chipset capable of 300-320 fsb. There are several available with overclocking options for $40-$45. Biostar has a G31 board in that price range also.

 

[Extelleron]

Any kind of CPU upgrade is going to do you good; a K8 @ 2.4GHz is a serious bottleneck to a GTX 260. I'd recommend as others have that you go buy a cheap CPU like an E5200 and a new motherboard.