From FX-51 to.....?

[Rek1984]

I am fixing to upgrade my computer...basically, build a new one and move the older one to another room to set up a LAN.

My current processor is an Athlon-FX51, and I want to move up from there. I have been intrigued by the new X2 processors, though. There is a lot of info on these, and some of it seems to be contradictory.

I play a LOT of intensive 3d games, and want a great gaming processor. However, I also do a lot of video editing and ripping, but games are my main concern.

Sticking with an Athlon 64 processor, what upgrade should I go to from the FX-51? Will I notice an increase in gaming performance with the new X2 4400+? Or should I go with the 4800? Or does it make more sense to try to go with the fx-55 or fx-57? But these are still so expensive, I'd really like to be sure I am making the right decision. Even with all the reading and research I've tried to do, I'm still confused.

Any advice would be much appreciated!!

 

[McGeyser]

The 4800 is expensive for 200 extra MHz, and a multiplier. If you use the money you save on a 4800 and buy a 4400, you can get a great air or water cooling system and OC from a 2.2GHz 4400 to a 2.6GHz 4400, or the quivalent of a Dual FX-55. If you do buy a 4800 you may be able to OC it to 2.8GHz, thereby having a Dual FX-57.

IMO FX-51 is still plenty enough for gaming, and I wouldn't upgrade unless you are thinking dual core. Have you OC'd your FX-51 yet?

 

[Rek1984]

No, I'm a little scared of overclocking just yet...I may try it at some point down the road.

Will I see an increase in gaming performance from the fx51 to the X2 4400?

 

[McGeyser]

At stock 4400 speeds, you would probably notice a slight FPS increase, as you are no longer using ECC Ram. I would recommend 2G of memory for the most notable perfomance increase.

I play BF2 mainly and I saw an incredible increase from a 3200 Clawhammer (2.0GHz) no OC, to a X2 4400 (2.2GHz) stock. The serious jump in FPS came from 2G of Ram and the 2.6GHz OC. If you buy quality components and cooling, OC'ng is easy safe and amazing increases in evrything.

Encoding a movie using Autogk and the Xvid compression:

3200 CLawhammer 512M Ram, no OC = 2 1/2 hours

X2 4400, 2G Ram, OC 2.6GHz = 1hr 6mins.

I am an X2 fanboy, but only for the reason of the provable results.

 

[the splat in the hat]

4400+ is an incredible games pc, online it eats my fx55 in bf2 32 player maps, your mad not to go dual, with games comming that will take full use of core 2, even now in alot of games not made for it, it runs the second core,go dual core all the way.......

 

[phaxmohdem]

My Recommendations:

Mobo: DFI LanParty nF4 SLI-D [ http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813136158 ] $168.00
CPU: AMD Athlon XP 4400+ [ http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819103546 ] $534.01
RAM: Patriot 2x1GB [ http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820220040 ] $253.95
Video Card(s): 2x BFG 7800GT SLI [ http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814143037 ] $758.00
Disk Subsystem: Main Disk: Raptor 74GB [ http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822144160 ] $181.00
Sec. Disk: 2x Maxtor 300GB RAID 0 [ http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822144359 ] $274.00
Audi: SB Audigy2 ZS Platinum [ http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16829102163 ] $176.00

That would be my suggestion for a Video Editing/Gaming Rig. Don't know what your budget is though.

 

[MDE]

Audigy2 ZS Platinum? You have to be mad to buy one of those now. Grab a cheap Audigy2 ZS or get an X-Fi.