New CPU for GIGABYTE GA-MA78GM-S2H?

[superfuzzy]

The most demanding app that I run on this particular PC is Lighroom, to process RAW files. The MB is a GIGABYTE GA-MA78GM-S2H Rev 1.

According to the Gibabyte site - http://www.gigabyte.us/Support/Motherboard/CPUSupport_Model.aspx?ProductID=2758
Some of the new AMD CPU's will work.

* I currently have an AMD Athlon 64 X2 5000+ Black Edition
* OS is XP 32 bit

Would a the Athlon II X4 640 be a good upgrade? Any other suggestions? I'd rather not build a new system at this time but maybe a new CPU would make Lightroom fly? Is this a cost effective upgrade?

Thanks!

 

[1haplo]

The X4 would be great for Lightroom. It is a great upgrade from the X2.

 

[superfuzzy]

The Athlon is a great choice, but it seems Gigabyte hasnt released a proper BIOS for the newer phenom IIs, so support would be a hit and miss.

If you are getting the 640 for around $110, get this instead, guaranteed support, just reuse your heatsink if you dont plan to OC.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103644&cm_re=Phenom_X4-_-19-103-644-_-Product

Huh?????? Did you see the above link for BIOS support? With updated bios the following Phenom II's are supported:

Socket AM3:
Phenom II X4 945
Phenom II X6 1055T

Socket AM2+:
Phenom II X4 940