Upgrading intel E2200 - Not worth it?

[Radeon6xxx]

Bought a radeon 6850 and I'm now thinking that my E2200 (2.2 Ghz 1MB L2) might be too slow. I'm OCing it to 2.8Ghz so I get some extra performance.

I wanted to upgrade, but Dual Core and Quad cores are really expensive.

I could get a E6800 for 100 bucks (100$ CAN) on NCIX (3.33 GHZ 2MB) (I'm in Canada). Do you think that would be worth it? The E6800 is not on the anandtech CPU bench sadly so I'm not sure what the performance upgrade is. If I compare the E2200 to the E6300 (2.8Ghz instead of 3.33), the performance difference is not so big. http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/67?vs=94

Or maybe I should spend my money to go from 2GB ram to 4GB ram?

What do you think, is 2.8Ghz + 2GB ram fast enough for a radeon 6850? I'm gaming at 1920x1200 btw.

 

[Soundmanred]

For that card at those resolutions, you need a total overhaul. (CPU/mobo/ram)

 

[Radeon6xxx]

I have about 100$ to spend so that's not an option.

Edit: For 140$ I get 4GB XMS2 Corsair Ram + E6500 (2.93Ghz 2MB). Do you think that would make a big difference in performance?

 

[Spikesoldier]

sounds like either a used q6600 or e8400

id try to scrape up extra money though for an overhaul. you can use the extra two gigs and it would make the most sense to change platforms.

 

[Bateluer]

Seems like you went way over kill on the video card.

What CPUs does your motherboard support? Others have written off teh LGA755 platform as completely obsolete, and its true that you're not going to get much of an upgrade path with it, but I think it has plenty of performance in it to last a while.

Also, an option might be something like Craigs List, if you're willing to go used. I saw a Phenom X3, 4GB of RAM, and a motherboard for about 100 bucks for sale last night. Not a bad deal, but no where near Canada.

 

[Radeon6xxx]

Yeah maybe it was overkill for the video card lol.

OK, so say I get an overhaul, what do you recommend ?

I see things like:

AM3 MSI 870-G45 (60$) + X3 450 3.2 Ghz (85$)
or
i3 550 (133$) + MSI P55A-G55 P55 (100$)
+RAM (60$).

 

[Gigantopithecus]

If your motherboard has four RAM slots, you should be able to pick up another 2x1GB DDR2 + an E6850 for $100 or so shipped to Canada on the FS/T forums here. Like Bateluer said, you went overkill on the video card and you're going to end up with a slightly unbalanced system.

 

[Starcrosser]

Generally, the nuts around here and other PC enthusiast sites can't stand using somewhat older technology, so take that into consideration. Why don't you go ahead and use your system with what you currently own and see how well it runs? Memory hasn't had a whole lot of impact on gaming once you get up in 2GB+ area, in the past.

If it were me, I'd not buy an LGA775 chip new. I'd buy an overclockable e8400/e8500 (or similar) at HardOCP, Tom's, or here, and two sticks of DDR2 if you've two extra slots.

You do not need a total overhaul.

 

[veri745]

Definitely hit up the FS/FT forums. It's not worth buying a S775 chip new.

 

[Radeon6xxx]

Ok, Thanks for the feedback. Those new 775 cpus are definitely overpriced. Will look at other options.

 

[StinkyPinky]

If you can get hold of a Q6600 and OC to 3 or 3.2 and some more ram that system would be perfectly ok for gaming. Not great but will do the job.

 

[Zap]

Hello Radeon6xxx, and welcome to AnandTech Forums.

It would be helpful if we knew which exact motherboard (brand/model) you have before suggesting upgrades. The reason is because the E2200 was a 65nm Allendale core which could be supported by older motherboards which may not be able to support some of the newer CPUs that people are recommending, plus some motherboards may not be able to handle the wattage of a 65nm quad core.

 

[jihe]

Bought a radeon 6850 and I'm now thinking that my E2200 (2.2 Ghz 1MB L2) might be too slow. I'm OCing it to 2.8Ghz so I get some extra performance.

I wanted to upgrade, but Dual Core and Quad cores are really expensive.

I could get a E6800 for 100 bucks (100$ CAN) on NCIX (3.33 GHZ 2MB) (I'm in Canada). Do you think that would be worth it? The E6800 is not on the anandtech CPU bench sadly so I'm not sure what the performance upgrade is. If I compare the E2200 to the E6300 (2.8Ghz instead of 3.33), the performance difference is not so big. http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/67?vs=94

Or maybe I should spend my money to go from 2GB ram to 4GB ram?

What do you think, is 2.8Ghz + 2GB ram fast enough for a radeon 6850? I'm gaming at 1920x1200 btw.

Definitely not worth it. Save for money for a new system or get a used Q6600.

 

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

hello radeon6xxx, and welcome to anandtech forums.

It would be helpful if we knew which exact motherboard (brand/model) you have before suggesting upgrades. The reason is because the e2200 was a 65nm allendale core which could be supported by older motherboards which may not be able to support some of the newer cpus that people are recommending, plus some motherboards may not be able to handle the wattage of a 65nm quad core.

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