Phenom II X2 545 vs Phenom II X2 550 BE

[jhandley]

Hi All,
I was wondering if I could get some advice on the build im trying to finalize.
This last little bit will finish it off.
Im stuck between the X2 545 and a SAPPHIRE 100295HDMI Radeon HD 4670 512MB as a combo deal at newegg

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.315900

or a X2 550 BE and a POWERCOLOR AX4650 512MD2-H Radeon HD 4650 512MB, not a combo deal.

As far as I see, the graphics card in the combo is a bit better, but is the 545 a good processor to overclock easily?
I know the 545 does not have the ability to unlock the multiplier but how much difference would that make.
The 550 BE is the processor to have at my desired price point but I would have to sacrifice the graphics card to
fit my very tight budget.
The sytem I am building is a bit more balanced towards mid to high end gaming if this helps.
I have already ordered the GIGABYTE GA-MA770T-UD3P AM3 mobo and have already
recieved the CORSAIR CMPSU-550VX psu.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanx in advance,
Jeff

 

[ares1214]

this might cost a tiny bit more, or make you wait a little, but i have some suggestions...1. wait for the 5670 to be comboed up with a cpu, here is the 5670, and it is a much better buy:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161319

2. look into this combo:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.315903

best budget cpu with best budget gpu, for 150$, so a quad core and a way better vid card (idk by how much) ooo theres a benchmark:

http://www.madshrimps.be/vbulletin/f22/ati-radeon-hd-5670-vs-4670-benchmark-68209/

3. save up for a 4850, it costs 20$ more, and performs quite a bit better:

http://www.anandtech.com/video/showdoc.aspx?i=3720&p=7

and theres the 4850 now:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150351&cm_re=4850-_-14-150-351-_-Product

there are all of my suggestions, although to directly answer what you are asking, it depends on if you do more cpu intensive tasks, or gpu intensive tasks, but generally i would say 545 and 4670.

 

[jhandley]

THANX so much ares,
the combo will fit my budget just fine!!!
I had been targeting the 545 and 550 so much I neglected the other AMD chips!
I'll go with it man.

 

[ares1214]

LOL haha ur welcome, although you should know that the callisto can "under certain circumstances" unlock into a quad core...

 

[jhandley]

Thanx ares1214,
Got my system built with the X2 550 and 4670 sapphire.
Works great for what im using it with, rfactor primarily.
When I get back to work I'll upgrade the video card and be good to go for a couple of years!!!
Now to find that blasted best answer icon??
Jeff