Unlocked-AMDPhenomIIX2+M4A88T-M LE-Help needed to get maximum off this system

[p1tin]

Purpose: Getting the maximum benefit from my current system by Tweaking it to the most possible extent for me to play some FPS single player games released from 2012 till next year.

Current Hardware:
CPU: AMD Phenom II X2 550 - 3.1GHz.
CPU Cooler: Stock AMD cooler which came with CPU.
RAM: 4GB (DRAM Frequency-666.7 Mhz).
Mobo: ASUS M4A88T-M LE ( 880G chipset= HD4250). with PCI e 2.0
Update:
PSU: seasonic s12ii 520

New Hardware I have / will have in few days for this system:
* Corsair 2GB 1333 RAM - Already have it
*120GB SSD Kingston - already have it.
* GPU - will get in few days
GTX 560Ti Hawk Edition - Used for $111 with 1 month warranty remaining.
or
A new Sapphire HD7770 with 2 years warranty.
* Casing: Will get in few days - $50
DeepCool Tesseract BF (without front fan for HDD s) + a UF120mm Deepcool fan.

What I have done till now:
CPU: I searched online and unlocked the core .
Now the CPUz shows processor as: AMD phenom II B50 with 3 cores.
AIDA shows it is TripleCore AMD Athlon II X3 450

I request your input / recommendation on:

1. Is it worth it to spend time to make this a quadcore and is there any way I can make it quadCore ? AM i missing something?
(I tried enabling 4 Cores but system will not boot past the windows screen and reboots.
In BIOS, which is latest version 311 released on Aug 8 2012, i have to disable the core 3 and enable core 1, core 2, core 4 for the PC to boot and work.
2. How far can I push the CPU ( overclock ) on the stock cooler.
3. Any other thing I can do to get the most of this system?

 

[monkeydelmagico]

* GPU - will get in few days
GTX 560Ti Hawk Edition - Used for $111 with 1 month warranty remaining.

That's kinda high. Should be able to get a gtx570 for less than $80 on ebay. Same with a 7850.

 

[monkeydelmagico]

What I have done till now:
CPU: I searched online and unlocked the core .
Now the CPUz shows processor as: AMD phenom II B50 with 3 cores.
AIDA shows it is TripleCore AMD Athlon II X3 450

I request your input / recommendation on:

1. Is it worth it to spend time to make this a quadcore and is there any way I can make it quadCore ? AM i missing something?
(I tried enabling 4 Cores but system will not boot past the windows screen and reboots.
In BIOS, which is latest version 311 released on Aug 8 2012, i have to disable the core 3 and enable core 1, core 2, core 4 for the PC to boot and work.
2. How far can I push the CPU ( overclock ) on the stock cooler.
3. Any other thing I can do to get the most of this system?

A few years ago ran a Athlon II x3 435 at around 3.6 IIRC. Worked really well back then. I don't think going quad will help you much. How far you can push it depends on temps with stock cooler. HWMonitor is your friend.

 

[p1tin]

Thanks for your reply!
You had mentioned GTX560Ti Hawk edition for Rs.6500 ( $111) is very high.
I would like to mention that this needs to be purchased in India and ebay.in does not quote any of these cards for a lesser price.
So,
Please help me make a decision on whether to buy this used with just a month's warranty remaining MSI GTX560Ti Hawk
or
a New - with 2 years warranty Sapphire HD7770 for Rs.6500($111).
I had asked this question in another thread for Graphics cards and responses are split!

 

[monkeydelmagico]

Ahh didn't realize you are outside USA. GTX 560ti hawk would be my choice. At stock speed it is a bit faster than 7770 That 560ti overclocks well too.

 

[mfenn]

Locked for duplicate thread on the same issue. Creating multiple threads just leads to confusion whereby the same questions are asked and answered multiple times (case in point: posts #2 - #5). Here's the original.

mfenn
General Hardware Moderator