Upgrade from AMD Phenom II 955 X4 BE to...?

[dlock13]

Well, I have this CPU, and while it's never let me down once, I really want to upgrade the motherboard, but I wasn't sure how AMD was doing lately with their latest CPUs and I'm not even sure if they're still using AM3 sockets or if they have updated to something else.

See, it's not necessarily a problem with the CPU I'm having, it's a problem with the current motherboard I have. It's an ASROCK M3A770DE. This one to be precise: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813157176

It just lacks so many features I could want in a motherboard. Also, it just doesn't have good enough BIOS options plus the fact that where my tower is located, the USB ports are weakend by the height of it compared to where my devices are.

Anyway, what CPU should I look for? If the CPU can still be used and I can update to the latest type of motherboard, I'd be more than willing. I mean I can always go with an i# CPU from Intel. I bought this at the time for performance/dollar ratio. At the moment, I'm not really looking at prices, but I'm trying to stay within around $300.

Specs:
24" 1920x1080 res
12 GB G.SKILL Ripjaws DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800)
Nvidia MSI Twin Frozr II 560GTX Ti w/ 1 GB RAM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127565

That should be enough for now, right?

 

[LoneNinja]

What type of programs are you looking to improve performance in? Your probably best off going with an I5 for a good overall performance gain.

I've got a review linked below showing your 955 against the current top Phenom II X6, AMDs new FX processors, and Intels I3/I5. I'd recommend reading it and looking for benchmarks related to what you use your computer for. Most of those processors should be in your budget.
http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/cpu/display/amd-fx-8120-6100-4100.html

 

[dlock13]

What type of programs are you looking to improve performance in? Your probably best off going with an I5 for a good overall performance gain.

I've got a review linked below showing your 955 against the current top Phenom II X6, AMDs new FX processors, and Intels I3/I5. I'd recommend reading it and looking for benchmarks related to what you use your computer for. Most of those processors should be in your budget.
http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/cpu/display/amd-fx-8120-6100-4100.html

To be honest, I just do a lot of gaming, a little Photoshop, and sometimes some video editing, but definitely nothing that is worth me getting some crazy expensive $500-700 CPU. Performance is not really a necessity at the moment. My main concern is the motherboard to begin with. It just doesn't allow me to overclock my CPU at all and it's ports lack any grip. They're completely weak and the slightest movement of my tower makes whatever is plugged in via USB fall out.

I'm just really testing the waters here to see if it's a good idea to keep the CPU and upgrade the motherboard, or if AMD/Intel are coming out with newer hardware rather soon with differing sockets. One question I really want to know the answer to is... Is AM3 socket a dead technology yet or does it still have a couple years left? (Dead technology in the sense that in a month or two, new CPUs/motherboards will be out that offer a different socket with better performance and more worthwhile.

 

[Avalon]

If I remember correctly (and please do double check), I *think* an AM3 socket CPU can go into an AM3+ board. If that's the case, you can just get this...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131767

If that would work for you, it'd give you an upgrade path to Bulldozer or maybe Piledriver, which may not be too bad.

 

[Don Karnage]

Board

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813157271

2500K

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115072

I really don't see a point with staying with Amd anymore. Ask anyone who has went from an X4 to a 2500K. Its like night and day

 

[thilanliyan]

To an FX4100

If you want very good performance for a decent price go for a 2500k like the poster above me suggested. If you want something cheaper then an AMD X6 would probably be the way to go.

If I had known that I would end up selling my 1055T as well as my motherboard I would have got a 2500k system as well

 

[Arg Clin]

If I remember correctly (and please do double check), I *think* an AM3 socket CPU can go into an AM3+ board. If that's the case, you can just get this...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131767

If that would work for you, it'd give you an upgrade path to Bulldozer or maybe Piledriver, which may not be too bad.

+1 on Avalons suggestion.

Getting an AM3+ board seems like the most reasonable way to go about it. No doubt an i5 would be a faster cpu overall, but if you mainly use your rig for gaming you're likely to be GPU bound anyway in most titles and wouldn't notice the difference. (unless ofcourse you like to game at low res/very high fps)

 

[douglasb]

+1 for switching to an Intel rig. 2500K is about $200, and I just got a Gigabyte GA-P67X-UD3-B3 board for $100 after $20 rebate. First Intel rig since my 486DX back in 1996 or so, and I couldn't be happier. I moved from a Phenom II 970 BE and the biggest thing I noticed is that the build quality of all the Intel mobo's just seems so much nicer than anything for AMD. My board is decent but definitely not top-of-the-line, and the build quality is very comparable to AMD's top-of-the-line boards. In fact, it may be a little bit nicer. For some reason, it just seems like the AMD systems cut a lot of corners to keep costs down.

The "upgrade path" to Bulldozer/Piledriver is kinda "meh" IMO. Bulldozer has turned out to be a lemon and more of a sidegrade than an upgrade, in most cases. AMD has given me no reason to believe that Piledriver will be any better, and they are likely to release it behind schedule like they did with Bulldozer. So you might be looking at late 2012/early 2013 before you even have an available upgrade, and there's always the chance it will suck as bad as Bulldozer did.

The only reason to simply get a new AM3+ board would be cost, as you can do that for about $100 as opposed to spending $300+ on switching to an Intel rig. Do it to save money, but don't do it expecting a viable upgrade path. If you get one, that's just bonus, but it's unlikely IMO.

 

[AtenRa]

What is the rest of your system?? Graphics Card ?? Monitor resolution etc

 

[LoneNinja]

What is the rest of your system?? Graphics Card ?? Monitor resolution etc

This needs to be answered.


OP, your cheap route would be to pick up an AM3+ motherboard and keep your current cpu, than upgrade to Bulldozer(The current FX chips) or Piledriver(releases in 6+months), but as you can see from the link I already provided you FX isn't much of a gaming processor.

If you've already got a high end video card, a switch to Intel right now could easily be justified, or how hard core of a gamer you are. We need to know your current video card and monitor resolution to know if you'd see actually performance gains in games right now by switching processors.

 

[Avalon]

Yeah, I just mentioned the board upgrade because it seemed like he was just looking for more features, not a bump in performance, and $100 < $300. If more performance was needed, I would also agree jumping to Intel.

 

[dlock13]

I've read through everything, and I only really have time to make a short response. I definitely feel as though my performance is fine for the time being. However, I'm definitely not opposed to upgrading to a faster CPU if it is more beneficial for me in the long run.

As I understand it from reading this thread so far is that the Bulldozer line has essentially been a flop, and that instead of waiting for something great from AMD, I should switch to Intel where it's already great over there and will continue to be so.

 

[SlowSpyder]

I went from a 3.6GHz PhII 940 x4 to a 4.03GHz PhII x6, it was really the only upgrade that could be considered worth it really. But since you are buying a motherboard and not looking for a drop in replacement, I would get an Intel rig. Sell your current parts, go Intel. Just my $.02.

 

[Magic Carpet]

I've read through everything, and I only really have time to make a short response. I definitely feel as though my performance is fine for the time being. However, I'm definitely not opposed to upgrading to a faster CPU if it is more beneficial for me in the long run.

As I understand it from reading this thread so far is that the Bulldozer line has essentially been a flop, and that instead of waiting for something great from AMD, I should switch to Intel where it's already great over there and will continue to be so.

There is no point to upgrade, if you don't have to. Why waste your time in the first place?

New instruction sets available in the newer CPUs are not widely used yet. I have a 965 and it's absolutely fine in games.

But sure you can, for the sake of upgrading

 

[dlock13]

There is no point to upgrade, if you don't have to. Why waste your time in the first place?

New instruction sets available in the newer CPUs are not widely used yet. I have a 965 and it's absolutely fine in games.

But sure you can, for the sake of upgrading

There are 2 main reasons I want to upgrade. One reason is for convenience due to the fact that these USB ports on this mobo are extremely loose except for 2 of them meaning that in those 4 certain plugs, things WILL fall out if the tower is bumped slightly. Second reason is for the sole fact that when needed, I would like to be able to overclock my processor. However, this mobo doesn't offer in-depth options. Instead it's just essentially a 'basic' way to overclock.

 

[repoman0]

Seems kind of silly to put money into your current platform - I agree with the guys who say get an 1155 board and 2500k. It would be more expensive sure, but some of the cost can be mitigated by selling your current CPU.

I was extremely happy with my overclocked 955 as well, but moved to a 2500k setup for its "unofficial" OSX support. Turns out that at stock speed, it encodes audio 33&#37; faster than my overclocked 955, and Skyrim is incredibly smooth now on my HD5770 - yes, there is a difference even at 1920x1200, at least with this game. No more choppiness! Not to mention most of these chips can probably hit 4GHz while undervolted, staying well below their rated 95 watt TDP. The upgrade is costing me about $165 net, after selling my CPU and board here on the forums.

 

[Magic Carpet]

There are 2 main reasons I want to upgrade. One reason is for convenience due to the fact that these USB ports on this mobo are extremely loose except for 2 of them meaning that in those 4 certain plugs, things WILL fall out if the tower is bumped slightly.

I would just get an expansion USB 3.0 card for that. The card could also be re-used in your future build.

Second reason is for the sole fact that when needed, I woeuld like to be able to overclock my processor. However, this mobo doesn't offer in-depth options. Instead it's just essentially a 'basic' way to overclock.

955 is a black edition processor. Not sure why you need "extra sophistication". Sure, this is not an Asus Formula material but not much worse what the midrange has to offer.

If you can sell it for it a good price. An Intel build would be a far better option. If you can't sell for a good price, I would not bother.

If you insist on a new mainboard, get anything 9xx based. I am sure, guys here have already thrown you some options. I doubt, next-gen AMD will be a serious contender though, unless you are a hardcore AMD fan.

Otherwise, z68 does look like "best buy" at the moment.

 

[nyker96]

I think if you primary task is gaming, the video card will be the main thing, most games still gpu limited, getting a 2500k+Z68 board is an option but probably won't feel that much difference in games. however, if you just demand a new board, get the new AM3+ board, like: ASUS M5A97 AM3+ AMD 970 which is 100 bucks or so, excellent reviews too. Just overclock that cpu to 3,6+, you should be fine for a while.

But personally I'd not bother, just use the money to upgrade the graphics card later if you can tolerate the flaws from your current mb since most cpu upgrade for games are waste of cash. as long as your cpu capable of putting out 30-40fps, then it won't matter in games. I run a x4 620, used to run it at 3,5 or so, now I just let run at 2,8 and not one game feels any difference for me. but when I upgraded my gcard last year it really made a huge difference in games, I can play at higher visual quality turn on AA/AF, more textures and effects, DX11 modes etc. but to be honest, in some games I am still gpu limited, can't do 16XAA or ultra quality sometimes cause of that.

 

[tweakboy]

That is what you get when you buy a As*rock. WTF is that a cheapo korean company ?

#1 ASUS
#2 Gigabyte those are your choices. gl Also you have a Quad is it OCed ? I bet you have never taken the CPU to 100 percent full load, unless you do stupid stability and benchmarks.... Stick with what you have your fine... Get a SSD instead... Your not going to notice a difference in speed going from a quad amd to another quad amd. However with SSD you will immediately notice the super speed.

 

[Arkaign]

That is what you get when you buy a As*rock. WTF is that a cheapo korean company ?

#1 ASUS
#2 Gigabyte those are your choices. gl Also you have a Quad is it OCed ? I bet you have never taken the CPU to 100 percent full load, unless you do stupid stability and benchmarks.... Stick with what you have your fine... Get a SSD instead... Your not going to notice a difference in speed going from a quad amd to another quad amd. However with SSD you will immediately notice the super speed.

Uh, Asrock is basically the budget brand of Asus. They're not great, but really not terrible. They have a lot of boards that are hard to beat dollar for dollar.

 

[BD231]

Woah ... Ivy Bridge is right around the corner don't go buying a 2500k that's a waste.

http://www.softwaresupplygroup.com/m4a88td-v-evo-bo-r.html

$60 bucks gets you an excellent overclocking board that's compatible with everything you have now, offers cross fire support on AMD cards and can max out even a Phenom II x6 at 4ghz, definitely enough for the 955. Your systems is plenty fast, you'll max it out with this board and get yourself USB 3.0 in the process.

You'd probably be able to sell your current motherboard and end up spending about $40 bucks? No reason at all to go all out here just do a small swap and you've got some new legs until Ivy shows up.

 

[watek]

Lol As*rock. Anyways, yeah they're good motherboards. I have one of their z68 and nice board without the premium price.

 

[Doougin]

i currently have a 955 as well and the performance for me is fine. it will last me a couple of years til newer and better cpus come out. getting a different board that overclocks better is prolly ur cheapest solution. aside from getting some usb expansion cards (which isnt a bad idea) since ur mainly looking for convenience.

 

[Magic Carpet]

Woah ... Ivy Bridge is right around the corner don't go buying a 2500k that's a waste.

http://www.softwaresupplygroup.com/m4a88td-v-evo-bo-r.html

This is a steal. Nice find :thumbsup:

 

[monkeydelmagico]

As I understand it from reading this thread so far is that the Bulldozer line has essentially been a flop, and that instead of waiting for something great from AMD, I should switch to Intel where it's already great over there and will continue to be so.

Yes, the amd route is now a path less traveled, and for good reason. If your motherboard is causing you problems due to usb port issues it is time for a new mobo. If you have to replace a mobo go Intel. If you can wait sure the next latest, greatest is coming out (ivy bridge). But with your slim budget I'd keep an eye on sales for Sandy bridge cpu's and mobo's.