Good move? Phenom II X2?

[Rhezuss]

Hey! I actually have an Athlon II X3 435 (2.9GHz) unlocked to a Phenom II X4 B35 and overclocked to 3.48GHz (14.5x240). No L3 cache on the chip. It's basically an Athlon II X4.

For gaming purposes mainly, would it be a good move to buy a Phenom II X2 BE, something like a 550 or 560 and gamble on the 3rd or 4th core? In the best of worlds i'd end up with a Phenom II X4 for 80CAD or in the worst case, a Phenom II X2.

Considering both CPUs ahve the same clocks:

Phenom II X2 > Athlon II X4?
Phenom II X2 < Athlon II X4?

 

[ther00kie16]

No need if you already have a quad.

If you are really itching for a Phenom with L3 cache, here's a much cheaper venture: http://shop.amd.com/US/_layouts/shop/ProductDetails.aspx?productID=AD5200OCK22GM&region=us-en

 

[nanaki333]

depends on how much that phenom is going to cost you. you can get a brand new OEM phenom x2 from newegg right now for $99, or a retail phenom x4 for $125.

 

[richierich1212]

Well the 550,555,560 can clock really well.

 

[deimos3428]

That doesn't seem cost effective to me. Save your $80, and plan for a more substantial upgrade down the road.

 

[mizzou]

Ive heard that any recent mfg phenom 2 be 555 etc will unlock well because there should be less loss in the fab process vs early fab

Mine was a 11/2010 chip with possible mixxed wafers and. It is a phenomii x4 b55 3.6 hz with no volt mod, and running super cool so i could work it more in the future when it starts to bottleneck me

 

[fffblackmage]

I would just save up for Bulldozer or SB. Just getting some L3 cache isn't likely to bump up performance enough to make the trouble worthwhile.

 

[jacktesterson]

Mine is 1 month old. 1 core wouldn't boot at all. Other 3 hit 4.0ghz at 1.4v easily