Should I buy a new CPU?

[prism]

I currently have an AMD 3000+ Venice Core, 939 socket CPU. I see that I can get a 3800+ or 4200+ for pretty good prices on newegg. However, is there much of a difference between these 939 socket CPUs and the new AM2s? I'm not planning on buying a new mobo. Also, I have an ATI X800 for my graphics card.

Would I see a noticeable increase in performance by switching just my CPU? I don't play too many graphic-intensive games at the moment, but there are some upcoming ones I'd like to try out.

 

[myocardia]

Originally posted by: Prism
However, is there much of a difference between these 939 socket CPUs and the new AM2s?

No, not at the same clockspeed. With most applications, there's a 0-2% difference.

I'm not planning on buying a new mobo.

Then you can forget about a Socket AM2 cpu.

Also, I have an ATI X800 for my graphics card.

Which is pretty much matched, performance-wise, with your current CPU. If you buy a 3800 or 4200, then your video card would become your bottleneck.

Would I see a noticeable increase in performance by switching just my CPU?

Not much, especially if you're planning on keeping your current video card.

I don't play too many graphic-intensive games at the moment, but there are some upcoming ones I'd like to try out.

The upcoming games are going to require at least a fairly fast dual-core processor, along with a fairly fast video card. Even Crysis, which is supposed to be fairly adaptable to slower systems, is very slow running on a fast single core, even when paired up with the fastest video card.

 

[MarcVenice]

Do you have an AGP or PCI-e Slot on the motherboard? Depending on how much you want to spend, you can do two things. Get a cheap x2 3800+ and overclock it to 2.4-2.6ghz without to much trouble, and upgrade your videocard if it's pci-e. If you can spend a little more, I suggest going p35 with Intel, and a new videocard. Especially since ddr2 ram is very cheap, and I'm guessing you've only got 1gb right now, but you want to have 2gb.

 

[nyker96]

I say for your situation, the best bang for buck is to get a dual core 939 cpu plus a g-card upgrade to something better like x1950pro/8600gts or better yet 8800gts etc.

 

[mancunian]

Originally posted by: nyker96
I say for your situation, the best bang for buck is to get a dual core 939 cpu plus a g-card upgrade to something better like x1950pro/8600gts or better yet 8800gts etc.

That is exactly what I did.

Went from A64 3200 @ 2.4Ghz. 1 Gig RAM and an X800GTO 256mb AGP, to an X2 4200 @ 2.6Ghz, 2 Gig RAM and an X1950pro 512mb PCI-E (thanx to this great Asrock board that has both slots).

Very happy indeed with this relatively cheap upgrade.

🙂

 

[prism]

So basically it's not worth upgrading the CPU unless I upgrade my graphics card?

 

[dflynchimp]

not exactly, depends on what kind of performance you need more. I'd personally shoot for a 939 dual core because they're dirt cheap right now. The graphics card you can always wait on if you're running a PCI-E slot. I wouldn't wait too long to get a 939 if that's what you decide on because I think AMD has stopped making them, so stock supplies are going to run out sooner or later.

 

[Bradtechonline]

I upgraded from a 3700+ clawhammer to a X2 3600+ overclocked to around 2.4 Ghz. You begin to really appreciate dual core very quickly. If not for the gaming, just for every day general desktop usage. I could tell a difference right away honestly. Didn't expect a lowend X2 to feel that much faster than my old clawhammer which I thought was a beast.