Dear Tom's experts on new builds,
Next week I will finalize my upgrade. Yet I still need to determine my CPU!! All i need is a CPU + mobo + memory. DDR2 is salvageable from my current build though.
Current system:
4400 X2 +
4gb DDR2
HD 4830
Games i mostly am interested in: L4D2, MW2, RA3, CSS, resolution: 1440x900. I prefer a "cooler" CPU because it will make less noise.
I want an CPU upgrade, but buying DDR3 and i5 would cost me at least 160+40+70=270 euros. (310 if id get 4gb of DDR3 vs 2 gb). i3 would be only 60 euro cheaper, so that is not really worth it either. I know a 1156 board might offer spectacular upgrade-ability, but I do not think it is worth the extra €140+.
Upgrading using a AM2+ board and one of the CPU's mentioned in the header would cost about € 90-145. I will also buy a custom CPU cooler (less noise), but this does not matter right now.
A AMD 790X / AMD SB600 msi board with 4 memory slots will run me 39 euros. How well would that OC any of the CPU's below?
The CPU's are priced as following:
Processor - 1 x AMD Athlon II X2 245 / 2.9 GHz - Socket AM3 - L2 2 MB ( 2 x 1 MB ) - Box
€54
AMD Black Edition - Processor - 1 x AMD Phenom II X2 550 / 3.1 GHz - Socket AM3 - L3 6 MB - Box
€78
Processor - 1 x AMD Athlon II X4 620 / 2.6 GHz - Socket AM3 - L2 2 MB ( 4 x 512 KB ) - Box
€85
AMD Black Edition - Processor - 1 x AMD Phenom II X3 720 / 2.8 GHz - Socket AM3 - L3 6 MB - Box
€115
Processor / 1 x AMD Phenom II X4 945 / 3 GHz Energy Efficient - Socket AM3 - L3 6 MB - Box
€130
AMD Black Edition - Processor - 1 x AMD Phenom II X4 955 / 3.2 GHz - Socket AM3 - L3 6 MB - Box
€142
I am looking for a cheap upgrade that will last me around 1.5-2 years. It also has to offer a significant upgrade to the X2 4400+. However, I cannot really decide between the top 4 of that list. The Phenom II X4 are just added for comparison, as is the 1156 break down. Keeping this upgrade cheap is important because else I can just go ahead and get a i5 anyway.
As of right now, i am thinking about going for the Phenom II X2 550, because of its blazing fast clock speeds in current games. However, does the 720 or 620 offer value with its extra core(s)?
What do you think of this?
Next week I will finalize my upgrade. Yet I still need to determine my CPU!! All i need is a CPU + mobo + memory. DDR2 is salvageable from my current build though.
Current system:
4400 X2 +
4gb DDR2
HD 4830
Games i mostly am interested in: L4D2, MW2, RA3, CSS, resolution: 1440x900. I prefer a "cooler" CPU because it will make less noise.
I want an CPU upgrade, but buying DDR3 and i5 would cost me at least 160+40+70=270 euros. (310 if id get 4gb of DDR3 vs 2 gb). i3 would be only 60 euro cheaper, so that is not really worth it either. I know a 1156 board might offer spectacular upgrade-ability, but I do not think it is worth the extra €140+.
Upgrading using a AM2+ board and one of the CPU's mentioned in the header would cost about € 90-145. I will also buy a custom CPU cooler (less noise), but this does not matter right now.
A AMD 790X / AMD SB600 msi board with 4 memory slots will run me 39 euros. How well would that OC any of the CPU's below?
The CPU's are priced as following:
Processor - 1 x AMD Athlon II X2 245 / 2.9 GHz - Socket AM3 - L2 2 MB ( 2 x 1 MB ) - Box
€54
AMD Black Edition - Processor - 1 x AMD Phenom II X2 550 / 3.1 GHz - Socket AM3 - L3 6 MB - Box
€78
Processor - 1 x AMD Athlon II X4 620 / 2.6 GHz - Socket AM3 - L2 2 MB ( 4 x 512 KB ) - Box
€85
AMD Black Edition - Processor - 1 x AMD Phenom II X3 720 / 2.8 GHz - Socket AM3 - L3 6 MB - Box
€115
Processor / 1 x AMD Phenom II X4 945 / 3 GHz Energy Efficient - Socket AM3 - L3 6 MB - Box
€130
AMD Black Edition - Processor - 1 x AMD Phenom II X4 955 / 3.2 GHz - Socket AM3 - L3 6 MB - Box
€142
I am looking for a cheap upgrade that will last me around 1.5-2 years. It also has to offer a significant upgrade to the X2 4400+. However, I cannot really decide between the top 4 of that list. The Phenom II X4 are just added for comparison, as is the 1156 break down. Keeping this upgrade cheap is important because else I can just go ahead and get a i5 anyway.
As of right now, i am thinking about going for the Phenom II X2 550, because of its blazing fast clock speeds in current games. However, does the 720 or 620 offer value with its extra core(s)?
What do you think of this?