AMD phenom x3 720 unlock core worth MB upgrade?

[rodney007]

Hi guys. heres my spec:

700 watt psu
ASUS M2N-68 motherboard
AMD phenom 720 x3 cpu @3.38ghz "stock cooling/stacked fans"
Gigabyte 4890 OC 1GB DDR5
4 GB 800mhz DDR2 ram

on stock settings i get around 14200 points 3d mark 06
over clocked i get around 15900

firstly I dont know how good the scores are compared with other systems but its enough
to crank any games i have tried so far..

question is...

Too unlock the extra core successfully i understand i need ACC or core unlocking feature which my mother board doesnt support.

so...

for around 100 bucks i can get a ASUS M4N-86 board that has turbo core and core unlock features... not to mention DDR3 ram up to 1600mhz

Is it worth the upgrade and how many estimate points will my benchmark increase unlocking an extra core and installing ddr3 ram, if I get around 15900 now?

 

[DokkRokken]

You'd likely be spending over $150 dollars for what amounts to a gamble. The fourth core is not guaranteed, so buying a motherboard, and new RAM modules to chance an unlock isn't a decent investment, at least in my opinion.

If you can run games satisfactorily, I'd just leave the system as is. If you want to buy a quad-core Phenom, make sure your motherboard will provide the proper power to the CPU. That board you own has three phases, so I'd be a bit uncertain as to whether it'll supply enough juice for a 125W Phenom quad.

 

[Embra]

Save your money and keep what you have. I wouldnt buy a new mobo until your ready to do a rebuild.

 

[iceclock]

i agree, there no point in investing alot in a different mobo,when u should be upgrading to a sandy bridge or the 6 core tuban amds, what u have is fine now, wait until amds new cpus come out or get the sandy bridge 2500k for a steal