Should I Upgrade my CPU to an AMD Athlon? 64 X2 Dual-Core 4800+?

[KloudSwift]

Hello. I Have Compaq Presario SR5023WM Desktop PC and according to Compaq/HP Help Desk my cpu can be upgraded from its AMD Athlon? 64 3800+ to an AMD Athlon? 64 X2 Dual-Core 4800+ because thats the maximum my AM2 Socket motherboard will support. I try finding information everywhere whether I would see a performance increase, especially in games which is what I love to do with my PC. I know the Graphics card plays an important part but that is a different subject and I'm aware that i need to upgrade my Graphics card soon. I also will not purchase a new computer for I want to upgrade my components. I need to know if is worth it? How much of a difference in performance? Thanks.

Additional Details

Note: I already upgraded the memory to 2GB (CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory) http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16820145177 unfortunately, Compaq strip my motherboard to only have two dimm slots so I can't go higher but I notice a diffence in performance. Also, Upgraded the PSU from its 200Watt to 470W unit. Here is the specs link for my computer... http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfr...&dlc=en&dlc=en&lang=en and here is the motherboard specs according to Compaq...Is for an ASUS Ivy (Asus' website has no details about this board)... http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfr...&dlc=en&dlc=en&lang=en

 

[krnmastersgt]

Firstly welcome to AT ^^ As for the performance difference, it may not be a direct benchmark comparison between games but this was the closest thing I could find:
http://www.driverheaven.net/reviews/dualcore/index.htm
Also, you could upgrade the memory to 2 Gig sticks, thusly giving your 4gb total ram, although you OS would have to support it.

 

[KloudSwift]

Thanks. This was an excellent article. i can't beleive it was so specific to what I was looking for. It looks like there is a significant difference between the two cpus. I would love to max it out to the AMD Athlon? 64 X2 Dual-Core 6400+ or even anything higher than 4800+ but I guess my bios or board doesn't support it. Do you think there is a way I can modify my bios or flash it some how to support a higher cpu? Is bad enough that I have no support from Asus on bios upgrade (they direct me to Compaq/HP) and Compaq/HP has limited bios upgrade with limited menus.

 

[betasub]

Originally posted by: KloudSwift
Compaq/HP has limited bios upgrade with limited menus.

That's the price you pay for dancing with the devil. It's all to push you towards buying a new system instead of overclocking or upgrading individual components. Many of us ATer have been down this path: we did buy a new system, but as separate components for a flexible home-build

As for the original question, yes, an X2 is a good replacement for the single-core A64, for general usage. However for gaming, only a few games will benefit from the extra core, and because the X2 4800+ has similar single-core performance to your 3800+ most games won't show any difference. If your favourite games make use of the extra core, it's a no-brainer: yes. Otherwise, get that graphics card upgrade first, then look at your CPU.

 

[happy medium]

Originally posted by: KloudSwift
Hello. I Have Compaq Presario SR5023WM Desktop PC and according to Compaq/HP Help Desk my cpu can be upgraded from its AMD Athlon? 64 3800+ to an AMD Athlon? 64 X2 Dual-Core 4800+ because thats the maximum my AM2 Socket motherboard will support. I try finding information everywhere whether I would see a performance increase, especially in games which is what I love to do with my PC. I know the Graphics card plays an important part but that is a different subject and I'm aware that i need to upgrade my Graphics card soon. I also will not purchase a new computer for I want to upgrade my components. I need to know if is worth it? How much of a difference in performance? Thanks.

Additional Details

Note: I already upgraded the memory to 2GB (CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory) http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16820145177 unfortunately, Compaq strip my motherboard to only have two dimm slots so I can't go higher but I notice a diffence in performance. Also, Upgraded the PSU from its 200Watt to 470W unit. Here is the specs link for my computer... http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfr...&dlc=en&dlc=en&lang=en and here is the motherboard specs according to Compaq...Is for an ASUS Ivy (Asus' website has no details about this board)... http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfr...&dlc=en&dlc=en&lang=en

Do you still use the Intel graphics? If so thats the problem. A faster cpu will not help at all.
Get yourself a video card.

 

[Killrose]

I would go ahead and get the x2 over the single core. True not alot of apps truely benefit from a dual core, but every little bit helps and if you could get one cheap enough go for it. I would put low bids on ebay for one untill I got one. Or check the forums here for a used one.

Your board actually might support a higher CPU but because Compaq shipped it with a whimpy PSU they make the claim it wont do it.

 

[angry hampster]

Originally posted by: KloudSwift
Thanks. This was an excellent article. i can't beleive it was so specific to what I was looking for. It looks like there is a significant difference between the two cpus. I would love to max it out to the AMD Athlon? 64 X2 Dual-Core 6400+ or even anything higher than 4800+ but I guess my bios or board doesn't support it. Do you think there is a way I can modify my bios or flash it some how to support a higher cpu? Is bad enough that I have no support from Asus on bios upgrade (they direct me to Compaq/HP) and Compaq/HP has limited bios upgrade with limited menus.

Frankly, the 4800+ will be quite adequate for gaming needs. With my 4800 (at 3GHz though) and my 8800GT, I play Crysis smoothly at 14x9 on high settings with 2xAA. I haven't tried it with a stock processor, and I doubt you'll be able to get 3GHz out of your Compaq, but that gives you at least some idea.

However, you REALLY need a PCI-E graphics card, like a 3850, 3870, or 8800GT. You'll see much more benefit from one of those than you will from a processor.

 

[Binky]

A graphics card upgrade (you are using integrated graphics, correct?) would be MUCH better than a CPU upgrade...if you want better game performance.

Seriously, do the graphics card first. You've got a PCI Express x16 slot so there is no immediate obsolescence risk to buying a new video card. A CPU for that system is obsolete the second you buy it. Something like a Radeon 1950 (~$100usd) would do wonders for your system.

 

[KloudSwift]

Funny phrase "dancing with the devil"... I guess we all learned our lesson. I will probably get a good graphics card before the cpu. Although the cpu doesn't cause that much ($70-$85) I'll probably concentrate on getting a good graphics card. Thanks.

 

[KloudSwift]

Yes, I am still using the alwful integrated graphics... is not Intel (is a Geforce 6100 intergrated chip, 128mb...terrible. I will get a graphics card soon. I'm looking at this one... http://www.newegg.com/Product/...2E16814130312&ref=lmcd

 

[KloudSwift]

You know, now you have me thinking. I actaully did upgrade the PSU from its 200+ Watt PSU to a 470W... Here is the link http://www.pcpower.com/power-s.../silencer-470-atx.html. Do you think that I could go as higher as the X2 6400+? I really never thought about it. Would it be possible?

 

[soccerballtux]

No need to spend that much on your graphics card. There are 3870's available for under $200 if you dig just a little bit; and you get ~90% of the performance.
http://www23.tomshardware.com/...&model2=1060&chart=315

 

[SinxarKnights]

Originally posted by: Binky
A graphics card upgrade (you are using integrated graphics, correct?) would be MUCH better than a CPU upgrade...if you want better game performance.

Seriously, do the graphics card first. You've got a PCI Express x16 slot so there is no immediate obsolescence risk to buying a new video card. A CPU for that system is obsolete the second you buy it. Something like a Radeon 1950 (~$100usd) would do wonders for your system.

I totally agree with you. Someone recently asked about upgrading the CPU in a HP system but I said the same thing.

A graphics card upgrade or a new fast and large hard drive will work wonders for the noticeable speed increase effect. Since you are maxed on ram I would suggest a graphics card instead of the CPU.

In the same family of CPUs (3800+ X2s for you and me) going up 2 small steps won't get you much in terms of noticeable performance gains. It might shave a second or two from your start up time and make compressing files 2 or 3 seconds faster.

I don't recommend trying the 6400+ upgrade. I was told by my board MFG that it don't support it because of hardware limitations (and don't support Phenom because BIOS memory is too small). I have an ECS RS485M-M (CPU Support List - If your interested).

So after all that rambling I guess my final answer is to hold off on the CPU upgrade and grab a nice graphics card instead, or a bigger faster hard drive.

 

[alkemyst]

IMHO most people have overdone it on the CPU in the last go around when they would have been better of with a more powerful GPU and power supply or larger HD.