Upgrading my CPU AMD X2 BE-550 need help

[Maniakul]

Hello everyone, i would like an upgrade from my current CPU AMD X2 BE-550 to something better, im limited by the motherboard so my options are limited.

This is my Motherboard - MSI 770-G45 and here is a link with what cpu supports http://www.msi.com/product/mb/770-G45.html#?div=CPUSupport

Please guide me to get a good procesor for gaming im considering atm AMD Phenom II X4 965 Black Edition 3.40GHz skt AM3 so around this price but i can squeze abit more money if there is something that is worth the money, also i forgot to mention my current CPU BE-550 is not unlockable i can only OC to 3.6 stable maybe abit more.

Im only interested for gaming thats the reason im upgrading.

 

[Magic Carpet]

I have the same motherboard. 1100T is about the fastest processor you can drop in. This board is also a decent overclocker. You can easily get 3.6-3.8 Ghz out of it.

1090T, my recommendation. Although 10x5T @ 250 FSB will work equally as good. Better memory (1600+) is essential for non BE part, however.

 

[Maniakul]

Well i have 1333mhz and motherboard says supports 1333mhz maximum. So 1090T is the one i want?

 

[Maniakul]

OK guys i did more reaserch i can afford to buy these two procesors, i guess these two beat easily X4 965 BE so from these two who are better? only for gaming im interested.

1: AMD Phenom II X6 1045T 2.70/3.20 GHz skt AM3
2: AMD Phenom II X4 960T Black Edition 3.0GHz box

What shall i chose?

 

[AtenRa]

Get the 1045 and OC to 3.6GHz and above.

 

[richierich1212]

Gaming? Either one should be fine if you can hit 3.6GHz or more and raise Northbridge to 2600MHz.

 

[Maniakul]

I forgot to add in 965 BE, how does this rate with the other two? all these 3 have similar price almost. i really want to get the best one for gaming and not regreting my decision.

 

[lehtv]

For gaming, you won't really get a huge increase with any AMD upgrade. First off, hexacores perform the same as quads in games. Secondly, X2 550 is within arms reach of an X4, since a lot of games are either limited to two threads and the ones that are quad optimized don't really improve all that much from having extra threads when the cores themselves aren't any faster.

I'd recommend gathering up enough cash for a Z68/Z77 + 2500K/3570K upgrade. Wait as long as you need or spend as much as you have to in order to get a CPU that demonstrably gives you a big boost in framerates (assuming the GPU fully utilizes it). An X4 965 only improves fps in CPU bound games like FC2 by ~30%, whereas i5-2500K doubles the framerate.

What's your video card?

 

[Maniakul]

I own a HD 5770 1gb ddr5 forgot the brand but nothing special about it, i just want to have more fps i guess in Diablo 3 and WoW thats why i want to upgrade..

 

[Magic Carpet]

Well i have 1333mhz and motherboard says supports 1333mhz maximum. So 1090T is the one i want?

From experience, this motherboard can run up to ~1700Mhz memory. Most 1333Mhz modules can be overclocked to these speeds, however. With 1090T, it's just easier to reach the limit, though. Less variables to worry about. I have 1035T @ 3.8 on this board but I had to fiddle with memory settings a lot.

OK guys i did more reaserch i can afford to buy these two procesors, i guess these two beat easily X4 965 BE so from these two who are better? only for gaming im interested.

1: AMD Phenom II X6 1045T 2.70/3.20 GHz skt AM3
2: AMD Phenom II X4 960T Black Edition 3.0GHz box

What shall i chose?

Ideally, if you can get both... and send one back later?

960T can be unlocked in to six cores and has unlocked multiplier, that's a bonus. But you're not guaranteed a success, however. Want to gamble?

Otherwise, 1045T should be fine.

I forgot to add in 965 BE, how does this rate with the other two? all these 3 have similar price almost. i really want to get the best one for gaming and not regreting my decision.

I had a 965 BE for a while and didn't like it for higher temps and excessive power consumption. Stay away, if you can. 960T/1045T are much better silicons.

 

[Denithor]

Step up the cheapest black edition X4 you can find. OC to 3.5GHz or higher.

Preferably also replace the video card with a 6850, 6870, 7770 or GTX 460.

These two will net you better performance in those two games than moving to an Intel system and leaving the GPU as it is.

 

[Gikaseixas]

I'd recommend gathering up enough cash for a Z68/Z77 + 2500K/3570K upgrade

By getting a X4 965 and a HD6850 he'll get better gaming performance than going i5 + mobo + keeping HD5770 for the almost the same amount of money.

 

[2is]

For gaming, you won't really get a huge increase with any AMD upgrade. First off, hexacores perform the same as quads in games. Secondly, X2 550 is within arms reach of an X4, since a lot of games are either limited to two threads and the ones that are quad optimized don't really improve all that much from having extra threads when the cores themselves aren't any faster.

I'd recommend gathering up enough cash for a Z68/Z77 + 2500K/3570K upgrade. Wait as long as you need or spend as much as you have to in order to get a CPU that demonstrably gives you a big boost in framerates (assuming the GPU fully utilizes it). An X4 965 only improves fps in CPU bound games like FC2 by ~30%, whereas i5-2500K doubles the framerate.

What's your video card?

Except Its not 2008-2009 any longer. Plenty of games that can use and do benefit from quads.

 

[exar333]

From experience, this motherboard can run up to ~1700Mhz memory. Most 1333Mhz modules can be overclocked to these speeds, however. With 1090T, it's just easier to reach the limit, though. Less variables to worry about. I have 1035T @ 3.8 on this board but I had to fiddle with memory settings a lot.


Ideally, if you can get both... and send one back later?

960T can be unlocked in to six cores and has unlocked multiplier, that's a bonus. But you're not guaranteed a success, however. Want to gamble?

Otherwise, 1045T should be fine.


I had a 965 BE for a while and didn't like it for higher temps and excessive power consumption. Stay away, if you can. 960T/1045T are much better silicons.

Get the 960T. You are guaranteed a quad, with a chance for 6-cores at no additional cost. Either way, you can OC and be happy with a good CPU.

 

[birthdaymonkey]

If you're looking for better FPS is Diablo 3 and WoW, I'm not sure going to an AMD quad is going to give you much improvement. Blizzard games are optimized for dual cores and really prefer intel architectures. You'd be better off, imo, spending a little bit (maybe $75) more on an i3 2120 and cheap H61 motherboard or significantly more and going to an SB or IB i5.

 

[AtenRa]

If you're looking for better FPS is Diablo 3 and WoW, I'm not sure going to an AMD quad is going to give you much improvement. Blizzard games are optimized for dual cores and really prefer intel architectures. You'd be better off, imo, spending a little bit (maybe $75) more on an i3 2120 and cheap H61 motherboard or significantly more and going to an SB or IB i5.

Not for Diablo III, it seams currently the FX4170 is the best performance/price CPU for Diablo III.
But even Phenom X2 is enough for that game

http://www.techspot.com/review/532-diablo-3-performance/page5.html

 

[Magic Carpet]

There is no point to go Intel, since you already own a decent motherboard. Anyways, what did you end up choosing?

 

[Maniakul]

Ok so there is NOWHERE to find a 960T and i guess 1045T is out of the option so it will be from BE-550 upgrade to 965BE but honesly guys how much the performance will be increased in d3 and wow? 20% - 50%?

 

[Magic Carpet]

What is your GPU, though?

You might be better off with upgrading that instead, if you're "planning" to get a 50% increase. Phenom II X2 550 @ 3.4+ Ghz should be enough for Diablo 3 otherwise. As AtenRa pointed out above in that benchmark.

 

[AtenRa]

Maniakul what GPU do you currently have ??

edit: Magic Carpet

 

[birthdaymonkey]

Maniakul what GPU do you currently have ??

edit: Magic Carpet

He said 5770 earlier. Upgrading that to a 6870 would probably bring a nice boost, much better than a new CPU.

 

[reallyscrued]

For gaming, you won't really get a huge increase with any AMD upgrade. First off, hexacores perform the same as quads in games. Secondly, X2 550 is within arms reach of an X4, since a lot of games are either limited to two threads and the ones that are quad optimized don't really improve all that much from having extra threads when the cores themselves aren't any faster.

I'd recommend gathering up enough cash for a Z68/Z77 + 2500K/3570K upgrade. Wait as long as you need or spend as much as you have to in order to get a CPU that demonstrably gives you a big boost in framerates (assuming the GPU fully utilizes it). An X4 965 only improves fps in CPU bound games like FC2 by ~30%, whereas i5-2500K doubles the framerate.

Bull. BF3 went from unplayable on my BE550 to smooth with my current X4. I can only imagine every AAA title from now on will take advantage of the at least 3 cores (since that's what Xbox hardware is natively).

Jumping ship and getting an i7 is overkill right now unless you're planning to game with $400+ video cards.

 

[Magic Carpet]

He said 5770 earlier. Upgrading that to a 6870 would probably bring a nice boost, much better than a new CPU.

+1. That.. or 7850 :biggrin:

 

[BURNINGchicken3]

cant that cpu be unlocked to a quad core? if it can i would do that amd like said get a better gpu.

 

[weez82]

kinda pointless to up grade your cpu for those games. Better video card would put your money to better use. I disabled 2 cores on my 965BE and didnt notice any difference in d3.