Used Phenom II prices + questions

[marklee42]

I'm looking for a used processor for gaming, to use with my HD 4870 1GB. I've been considering two offers. One is an unlocked 555 BE with 4 cores at 3.6 GHz for $70. The other is an older 965 BE without C3 stepping (140W), for $90. Assuming both of these work fine, are they good deals?

Thanks!

 

[notty22]

I would get the new C3 stepping 955 from Amazon for 30 dollars more, if this is going in a existing motherboard.
http://www.amazon.com/AMD-HDZ955FBGM.../dp/B002TQYUAE

 

[busydude]

There are always awesome deals being posted in Sell and Trade forum here. I would look there first.

 

[RavenSEAL]

Never buy used chips, that's just my opinion. You never how far the previous owner has pushed it.

 

[marklee42]

Never buy used chips, that's just my opinion. You never how far the previous owner has pushed it.

In the case of the 555 I do know how far he pushed it, and it seems like I can get the performance of a 965 for just over half the price.

 

[notty22]

It gets confusing without knowing all your hardware. Do you have a core unlocking m/b, that can also o/c ?

 

[busydude]

In the case of the 555 I do know how far he pushed it, and it seems like I can get the performance of a 965 for just over half the price.

Core unlocking is always YMMV. It may or may not work.

 

[marklee42]

It gets confusing without knowing all your hardware. Do you have a core unlocking m/b, that can also o/c ?

Yes. I bought the motherboard with that intention. Power supply is also sufficient.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...6&Tpk=M3A770DE

Core unlocking is always YMMV. It may or may not work.

They separate the models by the part on the wafer, right? So if he has four stable cores then shouldn't it be a function of the CPU? I realize the max stable clocks will be different, of course.

 

[chubbyfatazn]

I was going to recommend you just buy an X4 955 for $105 on Amazon, but I see they've raised the price... so you could wait and see if they dropped the price on that again, or you could just get this X4 960T and play the unlocking lottery.

I'd rather buy the new chip. It's only $20 more than the 965. I'm happy with my 960T, gives me a four-core (which is more than I already need) with the ability to go to 6 cores later if needed. Personally, I bought both my PhIIs used, but that was because I knew how far they pushed it and because they were a lot cheaper than retail ($130 versus $180).