Upgrade to AMD Athlon 64 x2 3800+ Worth it?

[KhaosKid]

Hi, my current computer's specs are as so:
Emachines T6212 ( i know, its shit but I got it like 5 years ago)
Amd athlon 64 3200+ ( Socket 939)
2.5Gb DDR SDRAM
Sapphire Radeon HD 3650
Antec Earthwatts 430 Watt PSU

START READING FROM HERE IF YOU WANT TO READ MY WHOLE STORY:

Since last year around this time i've been upgrading this computer because it was so slow.
First i got the 2 GB of RAM from crucial.com, which proved to be AMAZINGLY faster compared to my old 384 MB (Integrated card took up 128mb)
BUT, when i tried to play games like COD 4 and GTA: San andreas they were really jerky like 12 FPS at the best

O, I found a cheap Sapphire radeon HD 3650 on sale at newegg and bought it. (only had 300 watt processor back then)
THEN, my system was okay, until 4 months later(November). My system became VERY unstable, shutting down if I ran too many things at once. I.E. Opening GTA:SA while Firefox was open.

At this point I decided it was time for a quality power supply, so I got the Antec Earthwatts 430watt at newegg for 59.00 free shipping

READ ONLY FROM HERE IF YOU DON'T WANT TO READ THE WHOLE THING:

Now, I am left with one final upgrade: the processor
When I run some flash games my CPU usage goes to around 80+ percent making it impossible to multi task. This really ticks me off cause it's either ONLY playing a flash game, or doing everything else without playing it. And personally, I like to play flash games every once in a while when I'm bored.

So i've found an AMD Athlon 64 x2 3800+ for Socket 939 Motherboard, and i'm wondering is it worth it? i'm getting a laptop in February and I'm just wondering I should *Max* this computer out (This would be my final upgrade) so that I can stop thinking about it, and get a good speed boost?

And also, Would I have to get a new, better fan for the 3800+?

You Tell Me!

Thanks for reading, and I know it was LONG

Edit:
The Processor has arrived. I am going to install it and try out a couple games and tell you guys what I think of the increased performance. I'll be about two hours.

Edit: #2:
Ok, so finally, after learning how to do a BIOS flash on a USB I got the CPU to be recognized by the system. I haven't gotten to check how fast it is yet really.

I spent $55.00 on this chip and am hoping it will help in multi-tasking a lot.

Final Edit:
This CPU is AMAZINGLY better than my old one. The second core helps so much in multi tasking. I haven't gone to 100% usage yet. VERY satisfied with this buy, even though it was $55.00. It breathed new life into my system.

 

[VirtualLarry]

I would do it. The X2 3800+ is a good processor, even better with overclocking, but since you have a branded OEM motherboard, I doubt it has any overclocking features.

I just upgraded from a 3000+ single-core to an X2 4800+ dual-core. Haven't tried gaming on it yet, but it should be much faster. Browsing seems to be faster. At 2.4Ghz (my X2 4800), it should be fast enough to watch full-screen flash video too, I think. At least I think it will play Blu-Ray, if I put a drive into it.

 

[KhaosKid]

I would do it. The X2 3800+ is a good processor, even better with overclocking, but since you have a branded OEM motherboard, I doubt it has any overclocking features.

I just upgraded from a 3000+ single-core to an X2 4800+ dual-core. Haven't tried gaming on it yet, but it should be much faster. Browsing seems to be faster. At 2.4Ghz (my X2 4800), it should be fast enough to watch full-screen flash video too, I think. At least I think it will play Blu-Ray, if I put a drive into it.

Sweet, and will I have to replace the heatsink/fan or do all the AMD models from 3000+-3800+ have the same fan?

 

[cusideabelincoln]

Yes it would be a worthy upgrade, but I wouldn't pay much more than $50 for the processor. Certainly no more than $80, at which point the cost begins to transition over into "get a new system (CPU, mobo, RAM)".

As for the heatsink, you'll probably be alright. But I do not know if they use the same one. The 3800+ will output more heat, so there is a good chance the heatsink for the 3200+ will not be adequate.

 

[KhaosKid]

Yes it would be a worthy upgrade, but I wouldn't pay much more than $50 for the processor. Certainly no more than $80, at which point the cost begins to transition over into "get a new system (CPU, mobo, RAM)".

As for the heatsink, you'll probably be alright. But I do not know if they use the same one. The 3800+ will output more heat, so there is a good chance the heatsink for the 3200+ will not be adequate.

Alright, well i'll try it out and see how things go from there

 

[VirtualLarry]

I would get one of those AVC sunflower heatsinks that uses the four heatpipes, like AMD shipped for their Opteron CPUs. I use those and they cool pretty well, even for the dual-cores. You can get them on ebay, seach for stuartconnections.

 

[Jd007]

If only you had AM2 instead of 939... I have an Athlon X2 5000+ (65nm Brisbane) just sitting on my desk being wasted. Could've given you for free.

 

[KhaosKid]

If only you had AM2 instead of 939... I have an Athlon X2 5000+ (65nm Brisbane) just sitting on my desk being wasted. Could've given you for free.

Well, I'll still take it if you want to give it to me, I could use it for future motherboard upgrades

 

[Stefan Payne]

save your money for a big upgrade.

You also need a better graphics card, the 939 plattform isn't that good, so don't get the x2/3800+.

 

[chubbyfatazn]

save your money for a big upgrade.

You also need a better graphics card, the 939 plattform isn't that good, so don't get the x2/3800+.

Not a good platform? Obviously it's not the greatest platform now, what with it nearing its fourth birthday, but in its time it sure kicked the pants off of Intel's offerings.

I'd echo cusideabelincoln's suggestion to not pay over $50 for it.

As for the heatsink, my 3700+ shipped with the standard heatpipe-less heatsink. Seeing as that as well as the X2 have a TDP of 89W I'd say you wouldn't have to replace the heatsink.

 

[KhaosKid]

Not a good platform? Obviously it's not the greatest platform now, what with it nearing its fourth birthday, but in its time it sure kicked the pants off of Intel's offerings.

I'd echo cusideabelincoln's suggestion to not pay over $50 for it.

As for the heatsink, my 3700+ shipped with the standard heatpipe-less heatsink. Seeing as that as well as the X2 have a TDP of 89W I'd say you wouldn't have to replace the heatsink.

Sweet, thanks for the info

 

[sandorski]

My 939 X2 3800 has served me well for just over 4 years now. Still plays more recent games quite well, although some games definitely need more CPU(GTA IV and Saints Row 2 for eg). I'm using a 4850 for graphics though, that makes a difference I suspect(could be wrong due to Bottlenecks and whatnot).

If you could swing a more thorough Upgrade it would certainly be much better though.

 

[LoneNinja]

I would say its worth it if it's cheap, no need to rebuild half the system just to get a 2nd core.

 

[KhaosKid]

Do you HAVE to add thermal grease/paste when you install a new processor? as I don't have any

 

[chubbyfatazn]

Do you HAVE to add thermal grease/paste when you install a new processor? as I don't have any

You don't HAVE to if you need a little heater for your room.

Yes, you would need to add a new layer of thermal grease once you drop in the X2. If you live near a Fry's or Microcenter just buy a tube for around $4 plus tax. Otherwise it's around $11 for a tube on Newegg.

 

[shaftymcnasty]

You don't HAVE to if you need a little heater for your room.

Yes, you would need to add a new layer of thermal grease once you drop in the X2. If you live near a Fry's or Microcenter just buy a tube for around $4 plus tax. Otherwise it's around $11 for a tube on Newegg.

Plus, when you get some thermal paste don't put a lot on. A little goes a long way...

 

[sandorski]

You don't HAVE to if you need a little heater for your room.

Yes, you would need to add a new layer of thermal grease once you drop in the X2. If you live near a Fry's or Microcenter just buy a tube for around $4 plus tax. Otherwise it's around $11 for a tube on Newegg.

This is incorrect. The amount of Heat produced will be the same either way. You'll just not have the "Heater" very long without Thermal Paste/Gum.

 

[KhaosKid]

Well, I bought the AMD Athlon 64 x2 3800+ from Ebay, waiting for it to arrive. I'll keep you guys updated

 

[robmurphy]

If you decide to overclock a better HSF would help. I'm assuming that at say 2.4 Gig it will use as much or more power than the x2 4600 (TDP 110W).

Rob.

 

[nemesismk2]

The Athlon64 X2 3800 is a good processor, the benefit of dual core will depend on the game being used. Most modern games like Batman Arkam Asylum make very good use of Dual Core so there will be a bigger increase than with older games.

 

[Munky]

Yes, I would recommend upgrading, if you find an X2 for a reasonable price. There are plenty of modern games that are multithreaded, and not just from 2009, but even from 2008 and 2007, not to mention the benefits in multitasking.

 

[KhaosKid]

CPU Arrived, Installing now.

 

[StinkyPinky]

Well, it obviously depends on the price you paid. You will notice a decent difference in multi-tasking though.

 

[TurtleCrusher]

how much did you spend on it?