Recommend a CPU change

[MRGOOCH]

I just ordered an AMD FX 4100 4 core CPU to go with a GA-990FXA-UD3 AM3+.
I have just read a review that rates it poorly. Can you recommend a replacement without paying much more than $110?

 

[BD231]

If you know how to overclock I'd go with this one:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103995

If not I'd grab this one:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103893

If you didn't get this in a combo deal you should just return everything and grab a 2500k though, you can find an SLi capable Intel board for about $125 or so which should be cheaper than a retail UD3 and make up for some of the added cost on the 2500k itself.

 

[exar333]

i3-2100 is around that price, thats a good option. A little higher is the 2400.

The 4100 is ONLY worth-it if you plan to OC the crap out of it (>4.4ghz). Otherwise, it is very slow.

 

[AtenRa]

Spent 19,99 AR for the COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 Plus RR-B10-212P-G1 and OverClock the FX4100 at 4.5 to 4.7GHz and you will be just fine

 

[RavenSEAL]

960T or 1090T

 

[nyker96]

I'd just try to OC that chip first, it's decent once overclocked.

 

[JumpingJack]

I just ordered an AMD FX 4100 4 core CPU to go with a GA-990FXA-UD3 AM3.
I have just read a review that rates it poorly. Can you recommend a replacement without paying much more than $110?

Just about anything other than an FX series CPU. AM3+ will accept older am3 Phenom CPUs so a PII 960T or (even better) 1090T. Both are much better than the 4100

 

[gmaster456]

Otherwise, it is very slow.

We must have different definitions on the word slow. Does it place lower than similarly priced CPU's? Yes. That does not make it "slow". Perhaps you meant to say slow(er). During everyday browsing, email, videos, etc. you won't notice a difference between it and something like the 960t and the 2100. Benchmarks and real world usage are two very different things. That being said as long as he's not trying to max Skryrim and expecting 60fps or trying to render the 7 days of creation the 4100 will be fine, but seeing as how he wants upgrade, the 960t and 2100 are good choices.

 

[MRGOOCH]

I went with the AMD Phenom II X4 960T $115.

 

[Rhezuss]

I went with the AMD Phenom II X4 960T $115.

Great buy...and try to unlock the other 2 cores...maybe you have a X6 in this chip!

 

[MRGOOCH]

Can you explain how to do it?

 

[Rhezuss]

Can you explain how to do it?

*BEFORE ATTEMPTING TO UNLOCK AND OVERCLOCK, REPLACE THE STOCK HEATSINK FAN WITH A MORE EFFICIENT ONE LIKE A COOLERMASTER HYPER 212+/212 EVO OR A CORSAIR A50/A70. THEY CAN BE FOUND REALLY CHEAP ON THE NET. IF YOU DON'T WANT TO BUY A BETTER FAN, LEAVE THE CPU STOCK.*

It's in the BIOS...an option called ACC (Advanced Clock Calibration). You simply have to activate it in the BIOS, reboot and see if it's stable...you'll notice it quick.

If it is, congratulations on your X6 for the price of a X4!
If it isn't, simply re-enter BIOS and disable the option and reboot.

For overclocking someone will be able to better inform you how to do it properly. My CPU, PHenom II X4 955, which was stock at 3.2GHz, went up to 3.7GHz without touching the voltage and could do 4+GHz if I was not afraid of playing with the voltage

 

[SlowSpyder]

I went with the AMD Phenom II X4 960T $115.

You can't do much better than that.

Good luck on the unlocking, I like my hex core a lot.

 

[MRGOOCH]

I would probably leave it stock- No longer a gamer.

 

[Rhezuss]

I would leave it stock- No longer a gamer.

Ok then, still a great chip, good buy!
Enjoy!

 

[Joseph F]

I would probably leave it stock- No longer a gamer.

Well, the extra two cores don't really help with gaming, anyway.
However, you do see huge boosts in video encoding performance when you unlock those extra cores.
You should try to unlock them now, and if they work, get a CM 212+ if you can find one for cheap.
If you can't find a 212+ for cheap, then I'd recommend a TR HR-02 Macho. (You can get them from Nan's)

 

[MRGOOCH]

What is it that you are recommending?

 

[Joseph F]

If you can unlock the cores and you have a task that would benefit from them,
I would recommend that you do so and get a cooler that can handle the extra cores.
If you're on a really tight budget, a Cooler Master TX3 ought to be able to handle the extra cores if you don't OC.
(You might even be able to unlock and OC with the TX3)