upgrade current system or buy new quad-core

polio · TweakNOOB Joined: 03 May 2006 Posts: 35

im planning to reformat my comp and started thinking to do some upgrades.

i would really like to go intel and ATI after this last experience with AMD and Nvidia, but that would require replacing the motherboard and im trying to do some upgrades on the cheap

i just added another 2 sticks of ram.

now i am looking at the cpu and gpu,

for the cpu i am looking at either the AMD X2 6000+ dual core 3GHz ($90) or the Phenom 9850 ($120) which is quad core 2.5GHz
the highest cpu supported by my mobo is a Phenom 9950 (no later processors)

some reading online seemed to recommend to go dual core and higher speed than quad core, but the quad core is showing higher scores in the CPU reviews.

for the GPU i thought to get a 4850 for $100
i thought that would be a better way to spend the money than to buy a new mobo just to go for intel

recommendations for the cpu upgrade would be highly appreciated.
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fussnfeathers · Lord of the Tweak Joined: 14 Dec 2004 Posts: 2763

Really depends on how far you want this rig to take you. Quad core is nice, if you use software that supports it. The lion's share is still dual core until you get into high-end professional graphics and audio production. In comparing the two AMD's you mention, the dual core would net you a bit more overall speed than the slower clocked quad core.

The thing to consider is you're already at the falling end of the spectrum. AM3/AM4 would get you more upgrade time in the future, if you choose to stick with AMD. Upgrading to the maximum you can handle now isn't really going to get you far in terms of time. Same with the vid card. I LIKE ATI well enough, have used them for many years, but I do find the drivers on my current nVidia card to be more stable. I understand that has changed recently, but it is something to consider, especially on an oldish system. Maybe a GTX260 would be a better choice. $60 more on average than the one you picked, but overall a much better card that will do more, longer.

I'm working toward a new build myself, and honestly, I'm just saving up longer for a completely updated i7 build. I could drop a faster quad core than I have now in, and max out my RAM speed, but I'd really just be throwing money away at this point, the benefits to what's really a small upgrade aren't matching up with the time invested/cost ratio. I think, honestly, you're just at the tail end, so a full upgrade may be a better option, AMD for cost effectiveness, Intel for better performance (with the cost, of course)
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[TN] Nathan · ALMIGHTY PWNER! Joined: 14 Feb 2002 Posts: 7406

Without a doubt spend your money on going to a new 1156 quad core.

The i5-750 is such a good overclocker and is really cheap when compared to the speed you get.

For only $400 or less you can get a mobo, i5-750 and 4gig of ram. Great upgrade.
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polio · TweakNOOB Joined: 03 May 2006 Posts: 35

yes i think ur right. its almost $100 for that cpu, which is about the same price as a newer phenom II, so im only $80 away from a new mobo that can handle a phenom II

that is assuming i take a cpu and mobo and still use my ddr2 ram. if i go for a newer mobo that only supports ddr3 then the upgrade is getting very costly as i have to buy new ram also (and then a new vid card to balance the system)

i think i will wait for the i7 prices to come down as i dont want to use amd and nvidia again.

im gonna try to oc this cpu a little in the meantime. never oc'd before but i read i can get 200-400mhz out of this cpu easily
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[TN] Nathan · ALMIGHTY PWNER! Joined: 14 Feb 2002 Posts: 7406

I wouldn't waste you money on such a small relative upgrade. You are only throwig money away on a marginal performance increase.
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