AMD AM2 Recommendations

[sramelyk]

I currently have a MSI K9N SLI PLATINUM motherboard with a AM2 socket. The CPU I have installed now is an AMD Sempron 3400+ 1.81GHZ

My question is simple.. I want to upgrade the CPU. What would be some good suggestions for my motherboard and the AM2 socket?

Thanks in advance for the help!

Kyle

 

[jay_nar2012]

Athlon x2 6400+- This code will help you find it more easily (copy and paste)- ADX6400IAA6CZ

 

[sramelyk]

Thank you! Is this a 64 bit processor? I'd hate to have to re-install windows. Maybe its a good time to.

 

[jay_nar2012]

http://uk.msi.com/product/mb/K9N-SLI-Platinum.html#?div=CPUSupport

 

[SteveH3671]

You may find that a 2nd hand 6400+ is relatively pricey (for what it is), since it is the fastest AM2 processor and I don't think a lot were sold. Given the relatively minor difference in performance and the wider availability of them, you might also consider the 6000+, either in Windsor or Brisbane form.

Any of the faster dual core Windsors or Brisbanes will be much faster than your Sempron and will actually handle fairly recent games adequately (I ran Crysis quite happily on a 6000+).

 

[jay_nar2012]

Thank you! Is this a 64 bit processor? I'd hate to have to re-install windows. Maybe its a good time to.

64-bit CPUs will work with 32 bit applications and a 32-bit OS.

 

[sramelyk]

But it would be advantageous to run a 64 bit os?

 

[jay_nar2012]

You will get better performance on a 64-bit OS and with 64-bit programs, if you do get 64-bit remember more RAM is better (3/4GB) and you have to install a fresh copy as you can't upgrade from 32-bit to 64-bit.

 

[sramelyk]

Thanks! Good information...

Any suggestions kinda between what I have now and the 6400+ or 6000+? Was hoping to keep it in the 50 dollar range..

 

[jay_nar2012]

6000+- http://www.ebay.com/itm/100-working-AMD-Athlon-64-X2-6000-3-1G-SKT-AM2-ADV6000IAA5DO-89W-65nm-CPU-/290737641166?pt=CPUs&hash=item43b15056ce

89W verison not 125W

$5 more than $50

6400+ double the price, might aswell get the 6000+

 

[SteveH3671]

If you have the choice (and assuming they don't cost more) try to go for the 89w Windsor version: ADA6000IAA6CZ

These were binned from the production line and they run stable at a lower voltage than the more common 125w version. Basically they are better quality chips, so they also offer a little more overclocking potential if you want, or just use less power at stock.

Scary if you look at Tom's Hardware charts Athlon X2s perform almost identically to Athlon IIs and Phenom IIs at the same clock speed. Not much progress from AMD in 5 years......

http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/charts/x86-core-performance-comparison/SiSoftware-Sandra-2010-Pro,2754.html

As a long time AMD buyer, depressing reading! But it does mean the X2 is a perfectly decent low-end CPU even today. Stretching to a little over 50 dollars wouldn't be wasted.

I installed Windows 7 64-bit with my 6000+ and it ran really well.