Upgrade choice, recommendations please

[ElectrO_90]

My system currently consists of
Intel C2D E6300 (conroe) 1.8GHZ OC'd to 2.6Ghz
Asus P5B-E
3GB DDR2
Radeon 4670 (because no other board has TV out any more)

Living in Thailand currently limits my budget and choice for upgrades.

I can either upgrade the CPU to Intel Q8400 (2.6GHZ) which is the cheapest option (about $170usd)

Or go AMD way and get myself something better for the future...

GA-880GA-UD3H (because it has 8 Sata)
4 GB DDR3
Keep same Graphics card
CPU -
Phenom II X2 560 (Black Edition) and hope I can get 3/4 cores unlocked ($110)
Athlon II X3 445 (maybe can unlock this) ($80)
Athlon II X4 640 (or just buy this so I definitely have 4 cores) ($100)

This is where it gets a little complicated...
If I just go with the Intel CPU upgrade is it faster than going with a Phenom X2? Maybe the Phenom will not unlock so is it then a waste of money compared to getting the Athlon X3 or X4?

Thank you for your help in advance.

 

[ElectrO_90]

Thanks for the replies.
Oh how i wish I could get a new graphics card with TV out... can't afford a nice TV, just got to keep with my Radeon for now

Thanks

 

[ElectrO_90]

Best answer selected by thebritscott.

 

[ElectrO_90]

the Q8400 is a good gaming CPU if you can get it up to 3ghz.

plus you need to start saving for a new video card

otherwise go with the athlon II X3 (oofers the same gaming performance as the x4) or Phenom II x2 (two fast dual cores is still plenty for just about every game)

Thanks for your comment but I have another Q
My ram is DDR2-800 and the Q8400 is 1333mhz bus
is my ram ok?

Thanks

 

[Mousemonkey]

This topic has been closed by Mousemonkey