Processor Upgrade

[WinnieThePujols]

I think I'm ready to swallow some money and upgrade my home system to a dual core processor. I do a lot of multi-tasking and, while a good processor for what I paid, the Athlon 64 it's not cutting it anymore.

I also have an 8800 GTS, and I noticed that my system is being held back by the processor; eg: switching to lower resolutions while playing Oblivion nets the exact same framerates, leading me to believe that the scripts running the background are the things causing my sluggish performance. Oblivion is really all I'll be playing. By the way, although Oblivion out-of-the-box is not really that much of a system hog anymore by today's standards, I do run a ton of mods, including a lot that add additional scripts in the background... so bear that in mind.

So I'd want something all-around solid, that would work well for both games and multi-tasking. I don't really know how much I want to spend, but I know I'm going to have to buy a new motherboard and new RAM, and so I don't want to go too expensive on the motherboard.

Off the top of your heads, can you guys think of anything that would give me a real tangible improvement in performance? That is, something I would conceivably notice without using a benchmark test?

Thanks guys!

 

[taltamir]

e8400 wolfdale processor. mwave.com has the best deal right now at 209$ + very cheap shipping.
a P35 motherboard. ICH9 for most people, ICH9R southbridge if you need lots of SATA ports and use raid.

 

[WinnieThePujols]

You think I'd see a big performance upgrade with that? How much could you estimate?

Thanks for the suggestion, I'll take a look.

 

[krnmastersgt]

The E8400 is strong enough where you'll see framerates drop because of the GPU again as opposed to the CPU, if that tells you anything about your gaming you should be satisfied with that information The E8400 just came out, and being the most recent CPU released with the 45nm process it has a lot of headroom for OCing too and runs cooler and uses less power, so what's your current motherboard/ram currently?

 

[Tempered81]

Originally posted by: WinnieThePujols
You think I'd see a big performance upgrade with that? How much could you estimate?

Thanks for the suggestion, I'll take a look.

http://www23.tomshardware.com/...6&model2=882&chart=423

heres serious sam 2, an e8400 is about 3.2 times faster than an athlon64 3000+

expect a 3x increase in your framerate in oblivion

edit: nm i just read you have a 4000+, it is about 2.1 times faster than a 4000+

expect a 2x increase in framerates in oblivion.

 

[taltamir]

In tasks like:
game installation
Loading levels from compressed files (aka, neverwinter nights2 incredible slow loading screens)
winrar
etc.

You should get at LEAST 2-3 times the performance.

Video encoding should be.. wow... easily 6x the performance with anything that supports SSE4 (divx, xvid, and h264 codecs already do)

http://www23.tomshardware.com/...0&model2=872&chart=420
Here is comparison between your processor and the E6850.
The E8400 is the replacement for the E6850. it has the same clock speed, but newer architecture giving it an average 5-10% improvement across the board, as well as optimizationations for certain specific tasks. and SSE4
So you take that E6850, assume its BETTER, and compare it to your current CPU...

Originally posted by: jaredpace

Originally posted by: WinnieThePujols
You think I'd see a big performance upgrade with that? How much could you estimate?

Thanks for the suggestion, I'll take a look.

http://www23.tomshardware.com/...6&model2=882&chart=423

heres serious sam 2, an e8400 is about 3.2 times faster than an athlon64 3000+

expect a 3x increase in your framerate in oblivion

edit: nm i just read you have a 4000+, it is about 2.1 times faster than a 4000+

expect a 2x increase in framerates in oblivion.

You configured the chart WRONG. you were comparing to E4300, not 8400. here is a corrected chart:
http://www23.tomshardware.com/...6&model2=872&chart=423
E8400 is not on the chart yet. It is about 10% faster then the E6850 (same clock speed, faster bus, better architecture...)
The E6850 gets 161.4 vs 55.9 of his processor.
Thats more then 3x the speed. And since the E8400 is even FASTER then that...


However those are tests at LOW resolution where the processor is kind. At higher res and quality setting the video card will matter more, so the benefit will not be as pronounced.
I would realistically expect 3x the performance in most things. 50% faster in an average game. 3x the fps in a CPU intensive game like oblivion.

 

[krnmastersgt]

55.9*3 = 167.7
167.7 > 161.4
Do the math Anyways yeah he can expect a 3x performance difference with most anything, however he is going to need a new mobo for an E8400.

 

[taltamir]

he is gonna need a new mobo anyways. 939 was abandoned by AMD long ago and there are no faster 939 processors out there.

Even if he had an AM2 mobo, like I do (the e8400 is still in the mail ) then he would STILL need a new mobo. The best AM2 chip right now is the 6400 (actually its the X2 5000 black edition brisbane that can be set to the 6400 speed through the open multiplier, and it will run cooler and most likely more stable... the 6400 doesnt even come with a fan because only the beefiest fan/heatsink combos can keep it stable.)
The 6400 is a 3ghz X2... he has a 2.4ghz athlon 64. Its an upgrade, since many things support two threads nowadays. but still a rather poor one.

I would estimate that as a 40-120% upgrade in speed.. but for what cost? 170$ for the processor, 100$ for either motherboard.
Or, he can get the E8400 which gives OVER 300% improvment... which is MSRP 181$, but is currently price gouged due to high demand and no competiton (best price mwave.com for 209$)

Oh yea, and the E8400 would easily oc from 3ghz to 4ghz...

As for the math.. oops, i meant to say that is over 3x the speed BECAUSE the e8400 is faster that then... the e6850 is slightly less then 3x the speed.

 

[WinnieThePujols]

The currently motherboard I have is a Gigabyte GA-K8N Ultra-9:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...p?Item=N82E16813128283

In addition, I have it paired with two gigs of Kingston PC3200 RAM.


So how much do you think it would cost to replace the three components (processor, motherboard and RAM)?

Could I do it for $500? Edit: oops, you touched upon that in the last post!



By the way, I really appreciate the help. Some of these responses have been very indepth and helpful! You guys rock!

 

[taltamir]

mobo 100$
E8400 processor 209$
RAM 2GB/4GB of DDR800 20$ / 40$ after mail in rebates.

 

[krnmastersgt]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16813128059">P35-DS3L</a>
Highly rated board among the AT community, I also believe it has 45nm support, not sure if you need a bios flash to do it though, a P35-DS3L owner mind sharing?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...E16819115037&Tpk=e8400">Retail E8400</a>
There are cheaper ones out there, just using a quick reference
Now as for the ram it depends on if/how you overclock the E8400 and what fsb with multiplier you use, anyone using a P35-DS3L with an E8400 mind sharing the specs of their OC? Anyways that CPU+mobo combo is only 300 from newegg which leaves you the 200 for the ram, of course you'll only spend up to 80 in a real case but just saying.

Edit: Ok seriously I just can't seem to post the damn link, whatever, just go to neweg and put in P35-DS3L

 

[WinnieThePujols]

I probably wouldn't overclock much...

 

[WinnieThePujols]

Originally posted by: taltamir
mobo 100$
E8400 processor 209$
RAM 2GB/4GB of DDR800 20$ / 40$ after mail in rebates.

4 GB of ram for $40!? WHAT!?

 

[krnmastersgt]

Well in any case the memory you get will probably be PC6400, and theres plenty of cheap PC6400 2x1 and 2x2 sets on newegg

 

[Marty502]

Just wanted to add that I recently upgraded from an Athlon 64 to a Athlon X2. (same thing, but dual core)

My frame rate nearly doubled in Oblivion. However, the spots in the game that went fine before kept going pretty much the same. But those awful dips in frame rate you get in cities like Skingrad, Cheydinhal or in the middle of those dense forests? They don't happen anymore; the framerate got much more steady and constant with my new CPU.

So you'll definitely see a huge improvement. Single core CPUs just don't cut it for Oblivion.

 

[WinnieThePujols]

Originally posted by: Marty502
Just wanted to add that I recently upgraded from an Athlon 64 to a Athlon X2. (same thing, but dual core)

My frame rate nearly doubled in Oblivion. However, the spots in the game that went fine before kept going pretty much the same. But those awful dips in frame rate you get in cities like Skingrad, Cheydinhal or in the middle of those dense forests? They don't happen anymore; the framerate gets much more steady and constant with a fast CPU.

So you'll definitely see a huge improvement. Single core CPUs just don't cut it for Oblivion.

Do you run a lot of mods?

I run a -ton- -- like 200! Many of them are minor graphical ones, but there are just buttloads of them that I run.

With Streamline it runs mostly smooth (like I can usually keep it above 30), but there are some spots that get really bad.

 

[Marty502]

All I have by now is Oblivion Overhaul and Qarl's Texture Pack, which kicked my video card's ass so bad I had to install a lite version of it. 256 MB of video RAM isn't enough for it.

If you have a good video card, then I'm sure it will be dramatically faster with a new CPU. It made a huge difference for me. My CPU is a snail compared to what you'll probably buy, and my video card isn't that good, so I'm sure you get my point.

 

[WinnieThePujols]

You should try out Streamline; it dynamically adjusts your video settings on the fly to try and keep your FPS between a certain level. Probably the most useful Oblivion mod out there, if you ask me! But hey, if you're happy with your framerates now, there is no reason to wrry about it.

 

[Marty502]

I'm checking it out as we speak. I'm fine with my performance but if it can get better, why not?

 

[krnmastersgt]

So what board/cpu/ram are you getting Winnie?

 

[WinnieThePujols]

Originally posted by: Marty502
I'm checking it out as we speak. I'm fine with my performance but if it can get better, why not?

Exactly! It's really cool and really customizable. It's not free performance because it does adjust your video settings on the fly (in exchange for frame rate), but it can be really awesome and can really help reduce stuttering. If you need some help configuring it hit me up on AIM at winniethapujols... I'd definitely be willing to offer explanation if you need it!

So what board/cpu/ram are you getting Winnie?

I'm not sure yet. I'm waiting on some money to clear. It's really hard to explain, but I don't know if I'm getting it or not. If I do get it, I'll probably get the e8400, 4 gigs of RAM, and then possibly that $85 motherboard you recommended.

 

[taltamir]

Originally posted by: WinnieThePujols

Originally posted by: taltamir
mobo 100$
E8400 processor 209$
RAM 2GB/4GB of DDR800 20$ / 40$ after mail in rebates.

4 GB of ram for $40!? WHAT!?

almost ever 2x1GB kit is 60$ with 40$ mail in rebate... buy two of those and you get two rebates and a total of 40$... downside being that they have to be different companies...
OR you could buy 2x2GB kid, or two identical 2x1 kits and only get the rebate for one.

 

[krnmastersgt]

You don't even want to know how much I spent on this ram like 6 months ago before I started reading articles and whatnot on AT ^^;;