New CPU/Mobo?

[linussbugg]

Yup, yet another question from me.

I built a new pc a few weeks ago for Empire Total War. Ended up with a AMD Athlonx2 6000+ (oced to 3.3), 4gb ram (2 RMAd, so only have 2 at the moment) and a 4870 512mb. The mobo is a Jetway HA06-GT. Playing on 1440x900, 500w PSU.

When playing Empire, or Crysis for that matter, the computer will stutter from time to time, which I know should not be the fault of the 4870, which leads to only the processor, the 6000+. So, I'm pretty sure the CPU is bottlenecking the 4870.

Keep in mind, ETW is not multithreaded yet.



I was looking in to getting a better CPU, and I see the Phenom II x3 720 was a recommended board.

Don't want to spend a fortune, as this last build ended up being more then I expected. Just want a CPU that will not bottleneck the 4870. I see I can spend about $200 for a Phenom II and a new Mobo. Any suggestions?


Or, since my Mobo does AM2+, should I buy an AM2+ Phenom, and save some $$$?

I saw this on Newegg, and was confused.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.165028

The CPU is AM3, while the Mobo is AM2/AM2+. Does this mean my current Mobo can do an AM3 processor?

 

[JaredAudiophileGamer]

yessuh you can use an am3 proccesor on old am2+ boards just need a bios update past 1101 if it isnt a real recent am2+ board. but i would suggest updating the board and getting a 720 at the same time. http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.165024

 

[dragonsprayer]

power supply - take off the door and point a fan at the psu - less shut downs? too small psu

ram - increase the voltage

 

[Wisecracker]

Download and install CPUz ---> http://www.cpuid.com/cpuz.php

Did you set your HT to x4? Keep the speed below 1000MHz.

Did you drop the memory to 333MHz from 400MHz? If not, you are running 413--->826MHz. Drop back to 3.2GHz and your RAMs will be running spec 800MHz (the cpu has an *8* memory divisor).

And an AM3 PhII should work in your mobo - but do the above first and see if it helps.

 

[linussbugg]

Backed the CPU to 3.2

Bus speed reads 215

HT Link is 1075

Memory is 403



As for my mobo and it's bios for AM3, I am running 6.00 PG from Phoenix Tech, from 8/1/08. How do I tell if this is recent enough?


Thanks for the help!