Using amd dual-core 3ghz 6000+, upgrade to phenom ii x4 or x6? help me

[tyro1]

Hello to all:
My 2008 PC, an eBay special died. The mobo, ecs nforce9m-a (am2+) has an amd athlon 64 x2 dual-core 6000+ 3.0ghz cpu, also running windows xp pro sp3 32-bit.
I have already bought a biostar ta990fxe am3+ mobo from newegg $99.99 after $15 rebate, a good deal I think, especially because it is supposed to support my athlon 6000+ while I make up my mind, or some of you fine folk make it up for me which cpu would make a good fit.
Besides the new mobo http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813138341
I bought a few extra items to update the computer.
Dumping the generic 400w psu - an antec 500w 80+ bronze unit $49.99.
An xfx hd 6670 2gb video card $79.24 after $25 rebate, which actually was for my 2007 hp pavilion a6230n pc running windows vista home premium sp3 because it couldn't play a youtube video without crashing, so I bought an antec neo eco 80+ 'certified' 400w psu $29.99 replacing the generic 300w psu and had someone checkout the computer for all of its problems. The mobo, a narra2 asus m2n68-la was just starting to ferment;
a few capacitors were swollen and a couple were starting to leak, so they were replaced.
The pny verto geforce 8500gt was suspect, so a similar 8500gt was removed from the ebay special leaving it w/o a video card.
Now with the hp a6230n, I can open 3-4 windows w/20-25 tabs and play a youtube video w/o any problems.(so far)

I already know that this is overkill, but I bought a xfx radeon hd 6870 1gb 256-bit gddr5 video card.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150561
Before I decided to repair this computer, I was flirting with the idea of just buying all my own hand picked hardware w/o the cutting corners of an off the shelf computer . At that time my video card of choice was an amd 7850 for $150.
(benchmark = 2749)
In 2007 the pny verto geforce 8500gt cost me $150.
(benchmark = 236)
This xfx radeon hd 6870 gpu is only $130 after $30 rebate, so would any of you take a pass on that card at that price?
I was going to buy a wd velociraptor 10k 300gb $165 from amazon, but newegg cut $40 off their 600gb for $169.99, so I couldn't walk away from that. 1 week later both @ $170
One last item; my monitor is a samsung 61" DLP w/LED light engine, if that matters. I use a wireless keyboard.

Since a 500w psu is being installed and the 6870 gpu requires a minimum of a 500w psu, I need to conserve energy where possible, yes?

Originally, my choices before the 6870 were the amd phenom ii x4 980 deneb @ 125w, or the x6 1090 @ 125w.
Can I still use one of these 125w cpu's using the 6870 gpu?

Would the computer(psu?) be better served going with the
amd phenom ii x4 955 95w / x4 960t zosma 95w (x6 w/2 cores locked), or the x6 1045 95w thuban?

The ebay special case doesn't look very good for component cooling, so I also bought an after market cpu cooler; the cooler master hyper 212 evo. As I'm writing this the 212+ is on sale for $19.99. (had I known) Newegg really plays fast & loose with their prices, don't they?

Well, there in a nutshell is my dilemma.(think coconut, not walnut) Your guidelines state that a poster should be specific and I tried to be as specific as possible though still a novice.

I am not a "Gamer", though I did like 3d pinball space cadet by maxis-my high game only reached 52mil; to you guys & ladies that must be as exciting as playing a game of chess on your computer.

If anyone is wondering why I don't do the work myself, it's because I'm disabled.

Thank you for bearing with my long post. (hope no one fell asleep)

Peace,
&
Good Will,
~kerry~

 

[sarinaide]

If you can find yourself a 1100T or 1090T of Amazon or Ebay that will most certainly be worth your time. If not a Phenom II x 4 965 or 975 BE will surfice untill Piledriver is a fully fledged product.

The other option is a x4 960T Zosma, which can potentially unlock to a hex core.

 

[tyro1]

Thank you sarinaide for your reply. So, in effect you are saying that a 125w cpu will run with the 7870 gpu along with everything else on the 500w psu w/o too much effort, yes?

 

[ilysaml]

X4 980 BE is a great CPU specially for gaming, but since you're not going to game get a X6 for multi threaded application use.

Right now, there's only Phenom II X6 1045T available on newegg, since you can overclock it easily there's no point getting 1055T/1090T.

Everything else seem to be in place, Hyper 212+ is a great cooler, HD 7870 is perfect even to play the latest games with high quality settings.

 

[tyro1]

I can get a new 1090t for $226 s/h chgs + insurance included. Is that a good price?

 

[tyro1]

ilysaml, I got the 212 evo - less space between the 4 pipes.

 

[ilysaml]

The Hyper 212+ is the same as Evo, Evo only adds a support for Socket LGA 2011 CPUs.

1090T is a BE CPU, when you OC you just raise the multiplier, the non BE 1045T/1055T can be overclocked too through raising FSB, you can save up the $100 different by OCing the 1045T.

 

[tyro1]

Buying the 1045t I save $86 over the 1090t.
I think there is a physical difference between the 212+ and the 212 evo. The 212+ has large gaps between the 4 direct contact heat pipes, and the newer model the evo has them very close together, but I would have bought the 212+ for $19.99 if I had the chance. $15 savings.

 

[thently]

I got my 1090t off ebay for 140 a year ago it is running happily at 4 ghz seems like that is the norm for an overclock on these max temp on burn in is 50c it is quite nice. If you can get a good price I would suggest the black as even on the stock fan I ran it at 3.6 with a few multi bumps.. It is on water now h80 runs quiet and cool.

Thent

 

[tyro1]

Any comments on my choice of the motherboard?

 

[Viking2121]

Any comments on my choice of the motherboard?

Nope, that board will do pretty good, You can now get a cheaper x6 FX series, cheaper than the 1100T. On Newegg I mean.

x6 AMD FX-6100 Zambezi 3.3GHz = http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103962
x8 AMD FX-8120 Zambezi 3.1GHz = http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103961

I bought my 1100T for 200 and some bucks after tax, and if I waited a little longer, I could have gotten that x8 for cheaper. But either 1 will do you good over that 6000+.
Or if you had to stick with them 2 choices, I would pick the 960T and unlock it, Pretty high chance that it will unlock.

 

[wr6133]

The X6 or X4 Phenoms will mostly outperform or level with the FX series at a cheaper price.

I wouldn't buy an X6 now though with the inflated prices. If you like the garuanteed buy get a 955/965/980 and OC it. If you like taking a punt get the 960T try to unlock it if it unlocks to 1600T sweet if not just OC the heck out of it anyway.

Your PSU is enough for your hardware choices. People tend to grossly overestimate the wattages when they buy PSU's.

 

[einterlan]

Thank you sarinaide for your reply. So, in effect you are saying that a 125w cpu will run with the 7870 gpu along with everything else on the 500w psu w/o too much effort, yes?

I have a 500W Cooler Master PSU 80+ whit a phenom x6 1090T + ati 5770, run perfectly fine

 

[ilysaml]

I think there is a physical difference between the 212+ and the 212 evo. The 212+ has large gaps between the 4 direct contact heat pipes, and the newer model the evo has them very close together, but I would have bought the 212+ for $19.99 if I had the chance. $15 savings.

Different looks but the same performance, look at benches everywhere. It doesn't add too much benefit. I've the Hypere 212+ on my 1055T @ 4.0 GHz it idles @ 26C and loads @ 58C core temps.

 

[tyro1]

I apologize for my absence and hope no protocols were broken. I had a dental appt. friday afternoon at 1:15pm.
I also decided to follow the 4th commandment, so no apology there.

ilysaml, I had the 212 evo on my original handpicked list of hardware. Basically for 3 logical reasons; 1- didn't like the air gaps on the 212+, 2- more air flow from evo fan, and 3- a little lower noise at lower temps, though a little higher noise at higher temps.
It wasn't till after the 212 evo was bought that I ran across some benchmarks showing the evo had only about a 2 degree increase in cooling over the 212+, so you may be right that saving $10 is worth 2 degrees.
And my logic is ignorant.

 

[tyro1]

That last sentence should have started a new paragraph, as it looks like ilysaml called me ignorant which he certainly did not.

 

[ilysaml]

No, I didn't. Whatever you feel comfortable with go with it. Both coolers are great and you seem to pretty knowledgeable.
Good Luck with your purchase.

 

[tyro1]

I forgot about the memory. [too much delta-9 thc 12yrs?]

Since I know next to nothing about memory, I really need help. Too many choices; low-medium-high voltage, speed, and timing, maybe more.
Could be more choices in memory than any other component.

1- CORSAIR Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model CML8GX3M2A1600C9W [lifetime warranty] $55
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233199

2- Corsair 8 GB (2 X 4 GB) Vengeance Red Low Profile PC3-15000 1866MHz 240-pin Dual Channel DDR3 SDRAM Desktop Memory Kit CML8GX3M2A1866C9R [lifetime warranty] $60
http://www.amazon.com/Corsair-Vengeance-Profile-PC3-15000-CML8GX3M2A1866C9R/dp/B006E065O0/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1336912491&sr=8-9

Are these examples of too little & too much?

 

[ilysaml]

Since you're not going to grab a FX CPU, you don't need 1866 MHz memory, the IMC in the Phenom II CPUs support only 1333 MHz, so 1600 MHz and 1866 are useless. And there's no real world performance difference between 1600-1866 MHz RAM.

AMD prefers lower latencies and since there's no true CL7 RAM around and the difference is not noticeable between it and CL9 so you're fine.

Voltage, the low voltage RAM allows for more easy and stable overclocking. In your case it won't make a difference if you get 1.3V or 1.5V RAM.

 

[tyro1]

Thank you ilysaml, your answer about memory was really helpful for me. I now have a clearer direction in my choice of what memory to buy.

 

[tyro1]

My decision has been made for the cpu I am going to buy. It is an amd phenom ii x6 1090t. $185 + $7 sh chgs = $192.

I want to take this time to thank all of you who participated in helping me out in my time of need, so I could make an informed decision on picking out a cpu & memory.
And also about the hardware that I had already purchased, giving me peace of mind that they were compatible and not 'off the wall'.

Peace,
&
Good Will,
~kerry~

 

[tyro1]

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