So up until recently my rig has been able to keep up with almost everything I’ve thrown at it, but I think at long last it’s time to upgrade some of the core components. I suspect my aging mobo/cpu combo is the true bottleneck. Starcraft II just isn’t as fun at 10 fps.
My current build:
GPU: SAPPHIRE 100283-3L Radeon HD 5770 1GB
CPU: AMD Phenom 9600 Agena 2.3GHz Socket AM2+
MBO: GIGABYTE GA-M57SLI-S4 AM2 NVIDIA nForce 570
RAM: CORSAIR XMS2 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400)
The graphics card was recently updated, so I’m not too concerned there. My question is, given all the hoopla surrounding Bulldozer and Sandy Bridge – what would the Hivemind recommend that a value conscious gamer like myself do to upgrade my aging system?
1. Do I wait for Bulldozer to come out in June, or am I not really in a position to benefit from the new technology given that I already have a decent GPU (isn’t ‘fusion’ their big sales pitch)?
2. Do I just shell out now for a decent AMD based upgrade at $290?
- $120 on an AMD Phenom II X4 955 3.2Ghz (Quad-Core)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103808
- $130 (after MIR) on a MSI 890FXA-GD65 AM3 AMD 890FX
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130565
- $40 on a pair of G.SKILL Ripjaws 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231277
3. Or do I go for a similarly priced Intel based upgrade using the new Sandy Bridge cpu?
- $125 Intel Core i3-2100 Sandy Bridge 3.1GHz (Dual-Core)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115078
- $130 MSI P67A-G43 (B3) LGA 1155
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130583
- $40 on a pair of G.SKILL Ripjaws 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231277
TLDR: Given that I’m looking to spend around $300 (flexible if there’s decent value) - should I:
Wait for Bulldozer?
Upgrade now with Phenom?
Upgrade now with Sandy Bridge?
I’m very much open to any recommendations regarding the components I listed above.
Thank you!
My current build:
GPU: SAPPHIRE 100283-3L Radeon HD 5770 1GB
CPU: AMD Phenom 9600 Agena 2.3GHz Socket AM2+
MBO: GIGABYTE GA-M57SLI-S4 AM2 NVIDIA nForce 570
RAM: CORSAIR XMS2 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400)
The graphics card was recently updated, so I’m not too concerned there. My question is, given all the hoopla surrounding Bulldozer and Sandy Bridge – what would the Hivemind recommend that a value conscious gamer like myself do to upgrade my aging system?
1. Do I wait for Bulldozer to come out in June, or am I not really in a position to benefit from the new technology given that I already have a decent GPU (isn’t ‘fusion’ their big sales pitch)?
2. Do I just shell out now for a decent AMD based upgrade at $290?
- $120 on an AMD Phenom II X4 955 3.2Ghz (Quad-Core)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103808
- $130 (after MIR) on a MSI 890FXA-GD65 AM3 AMD 890FX
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130565
- $40 on a pair of G.SKILL Ripjaws 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231277
3. Or do I go for a similarly priced Intel based upgrade using the new Sandy Bridge cpu?
- $125 Intel Core i3-2100 Sandy Bridge 3.1GHz (Dual-Core)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115078
- $130 MSI P67A-G43 (B3) LGA 1155
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130583
- $40 on a pair of G.SKILL Ripjaws 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231277
TLDR: Given that I’m looking to spend around $300 (flexible if there’s decent value) - should I:
Wait for Bulldozer?
Upgrade now with Phenom?
Upgrade now with Sandy Bridge?
I’m very much open to any recommendations regarding the components I listed above.
Thank you!