Need Upgrade Help!

[bolt14]

I have been noticing lately that my AMD 3800 (Single Core) is beginning to have issues. It's performance has gone downhill recently and I need a new processor. Problem is, with this war between AMD and Intel, I can't decide. :| My budget is around $300. Can anyone help?
Thanks,
CS

 

[apt403]

For $300 you could pick up an E4300 or E6300 and a mobo. Or a 6000+ X2 for $240. I'd go with the latter. Better performance for your money.

 

[frankienyc123]

What kinda of issues is your 3800 having?? CPUS dont usually get worse with age, usually this is a software problem. Try a clean reinstall of Windows. But if you really want to upgrade to a dual core why not just get yourself a 3800x2 for $100. You can overclock it to 2.6ghz pretty easily. You could use the leftover $200 for some more ram or to start saving for a Barcelona system when they are released

 

[bolt14]

I am going to wait for the price cuts, so could I get anything a little better then? My budget has gone up BTW to 350.

 

[bolt14]

Let's just say I had a bad OC session and things were never the same. I have put this in a different AM2 setup, (Very similar to mine) and get the same problems. OS is not an issue as I did this OC'ing on a fresh Vista Home Premium install.

 

[frankienyc123]

Personally right now spending $350 on an AM2 cpu makes no sense. C2D clearly outperforms AMD and you could get an e6300 and a mobo for $350. If I was you I would get yourself an inexpensive X2 like the 3600x2 for $65, just to keep your system up and ruinning for now. You could even overclock it and get some very nice performance, ive heard 2.8ghz on stock volts is possible with these chips. Then with the $275 you have left over, start saving for a K10(Barcelona) which will be out in the next few months. I just hope Barcelona is as good as everyone is hoping, or I may have to go back to Intel for my next system.

 

[m25]

Personally right now spending $350 on an AM2 cpu makes no sense. C2D clearly outperforms AMD and you could get an e6300 and a mobo for $350. If I was you I would get yourself an inexpensive X2 like the 3600x2 for $65, just to keep your system up and ruinning for now. You could even overclock it and get some very nice performance, ive heard 2.8ghz on stock volts is possible with these chips. Then with the $275 you have left over, start saving for a K10(Barcelona) which will be out in the next few months. I just hope Barcelona is as good as everyone is hoping, or I may have to go back to Intel for my next system.

8O What are you talking about; the most expensive X2 now is the 6000+ and it goes for $250. the sweet spot IMO is 5000+ and 5200+ @ $160-170. If he has an AM2 system, the best he can do is grab a X2 5200+ or 5400+ and save the rest of the money for his next build.

 

[m25]

Let's just say I had a bad OC session and things were never the same. I have put this in a different AM2 setup, (Very similar to mine) and get the same problems. OS is not an issue as I did this OC'ing on a fresh Vista Home Premium install.

If (as it seems) you have an AM2 system, actually AM2 CPUs have a good price performance, better than Core2 CPUs and with $250 you can pick up this deal at ewiz for a X2 6000+; it will give you E6600 performance without reinstaling/rebuilding anything. Personally, I'd go for this:
http://www.ewiz.com/detail.php?name=A64-60CZBX