Would X2 be faster than a higher clocked Sempron single core?

[soccerballtux]

Shorter version:

Want a video card upgrade; but don't want to give up CPU snappiness in day to day applications. I'm afraid a lower Ghz, even though dual core, processor would feel slower in Firefox, alt-tabbing, single threaded performance where Ghz matters.

2.3Ghz Sempron with 256KB cache vs. Lower Ghz X2.

Thanks for the help.

 

[Cerb]

If what you have isn't lacking, why spend all the money required to upgrade? To get a cheap X2, you'd need a new mobo, new RAM, probably a new video card, and possibly a new PSU.

If you were looking at a 4800+ or higher, I'd say go for it (or go with a low-end Intel, depending on how penny-pinching you wanted to be), but for a 3600+, I don't see it being worth the trouble.

 

[soccerballtux]

For the video card mainly; it can't keep up in some spots. Also it sucks for UT3.

Thanks for the recommendation about the 3600/4800 etc.

 

[Markfw]

Is yours socket 939 ? I thought the Sempron 3100 was socket 754

 

[996GT2]

3600+ AM2 models are notoriously overclockable...I've got a pretty bad one and even it clocks to 5000+ levels without issue.

However, to the OP, if you plan to upgrade, go for C2D E4xxx or E2xxx series and OC it on something like an IP-35-E. Much better performance than an equivalent X2 and you can upgrade to Penryn later on if you so feel the need to.

 

[soonerproud]

Originally posted by: soccerballtux
Shorter version:

Want a video card upgrade; but don't want to give up CPU snappiness in day to day applications. I'm afraid a lower Ghz, even though dual core, processor would feel slower in Firefox, alt-tabbing, single threaded performance where Ghz matters.

2.3Ghz Sempron with 256KB cache vs. Lower Ghz X2.

Thanks for the help.

In this case I would have to recommend going with the X2 if you can find a cheap one. When I replaced my A64 3200 (I had it overclocked @ 2.8 ghz) with a X2 4400 (I run it stock @ 2.2 ghz) I noticed a huge difference in overall performance of the system. Even though I am running stock, I noticed the system was much snappier and programs opened faster. I also noticed a slight performance increase when gaming. A cheap X2 is a great way to extend the life of an aging 939 system.

If you are using a 754 socket Sempron, you are out of luck. You will need either a AM2 or 939 motherboard to make this upgrade. I found a X2 4200 socket 939 for 65.99 @ newegg just now.

X2 4200 Socket 939 newegg

If a mobo/mem/cpu upgrade is needed to go dual core then I agree with Cerb on his recommendation of moving to a cheap Core2Duo.

 

[obeseotron]

Originally posted by: soccerballtux
Shorter version:

Want a video card upgrade; but don't want to give up CPU snappiness in day to day applications. I'm afraid a lower Ghz, even though dual core, processor would feel slower in Firefox, alt-tabbing, single threaded performance where Ghz matters.

2.3Ghz Sempron with 256KB cache vs. Lower Ghz X2.

Thanks for the help.

If you're concerned about "snappiness" I think you'll be pleasantly surprised by dual core. Switching between multiple single-threaded apps feels a lot better with an extra cores than it does with more clock speed. You never get hung up by a single process and I don't think you'll have a problem with firefox's rending speed on any modern pc (firefox's memory usage is another story).

 

[bfdd]

UT3 will benefit from multi core.....