Need some CPU upgrade advice

[pensar]

Hello everyone,

My computer has been acting strange lately, it will just stop responding, run the fans and leds, but no display and no response. This has happened twice, last time I took everything apart, reseated the cpu, and it started working again. I get the impression it could be the mobo or the psu, but this issue has made me consider upgrading anyway.

Here is my current setup:
Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 at stock (2.4ghz)
4 gb ddr2 800
ati 5770 1gb
600 w ocz gamexstream psu


I've noticed lag in a few of the new titles, especially the beta for ffxiv. I'm only running at 1440x990, but I'd like to up that with a new monitor, maybe even 1920, at least 1680 at high settings.

My dilemma is just what to choose to upgrade to, with an emphasis on value. I could build a whole another computer, but I'd like to retain some of the parts I have now.

Here are my thoughts:
- Get an AM3/Am2+ mobo, retain my current memory, and run a phenom II 955. I'd like to get a crossfire capable mobo so I can relatively cheaply increase my graphics potential with another 5770. This would cost me around 200, but its difficult to find a good crossfire 785 chip mobo.

- Go for an AM3 mobo, have more choices for crossfire, still go for a phenom II 950, but have to buy ddr3 memory. Id be our around 360 with this setup.

- Go for an intel i5-750 or 760 setup, have a lot of choice in terms of crossfire mobos. This increase the prices by ~$40.

In all cases I'd like to be able to overclock to cpu if it would net me better performance in games. After a lot of deliberation, I'm leaning towards the i5 choice.

My questions are:
-In either case will I see a substantial increase in game performance (ffxiv, gta 4, metro), and which one will give me the best performance for value?

- Should I even worry of crossfiring, or will it not net me a decent increase in fps, it would be nice to pay ~140 more for a second card and get ~5870 like performance.

- What are your suggestions for an upgrade?

Thanks everyone

 

[pensar]

One last question- does anyone know of a good crossfire 785G chip mobo? Selection is very limited, I'd like to do some overclocking if I were to go with the cheaper ddr2 route.

 

[cusideabelincoln]

Really just depends on how much you want to spend.

Going with an i5 will give you the best performance, especially in GTA4.

But if you go with AMD you can keep your RAM, get a decent processor, and have some room to upgrade in the future (since there's a chance an AM3 processor will work in Bulldozer motherboards). Of course at this time in the future you will need a new board and RAM. Also you aren't limited to just 785G boards. You can also look at 790GX, 790X, and 790FX.

I think these two options are your best. If you're going to go AM3 and have to buy new RAM, you might as well swallow the extra cost and get the i5 750, as you will get more performance.

 

[mrcmtl]

Going for Phenom II 955 with an AM3/AM2+ mobo costs around 250$.
Going for Phenom II 955 with an AM3 mobo with 4GB DDR3 costs around 325$
Going for i5-750 with mobo and 4GB DDR3 costs around 400$

Final decision would be how much will you be willing to spend.

 

[pensar]

I ended up getting the i5 build.

Deal at Fry's netted me an i5-760 for 160, MSI P55-DG80 for 109 after rebate, and 4gb of 1600 corsair xms3 for 80 after rebate. The increase I experience in ffxiv is pretty amazing, went from an average of 20-25 fps, dipping in the 10s to 15s in cities, to now rarely seeing a decrease below 30 in cities and maxing out at 60 (seems game is limited to 60 for now) outside, and I haven't even touched overclocking.

I'm only running at 1440x900 at the moment though, when I get a bigger screen Im sure Ill need to start considering buying another 5770, but for now this has been quite good.

 

[betasub]

Thanks for the feedback on your upgrade. Glad you feel like the >$300 outlay has got you a worthwhile performance increase. Happy gaming!

 

[pensar]

And thanks to everyone who was willing to share some of their knowledge and experience. I found this decision much more difficult to make than my first build.