Cheap CPU upgrade advice?

[zokier]

I'm planning to upgrade my current CPU as it doesn't keep up with new games, and DCS runs bit too slowly for my taste. I currently have Intel e2160, 2x1G of cheapo DDR2, a P965 motherboard, and Radeon HD4850. I was thinking to go for AMD as they seem to rule the low-end markets. But I'm not sure of the rest.

 

AMD has just released cheap quad core Athlons that seem quite nice (AMD Athlon II X4 620), but I'm not sure if their single-threaded performance is good enough. Then I have heard rumors that some cheap dual-core CPU's can be unlocked to be quad-cores, that seems kinda neat. And dual-core would have far better single-threaded performance than quads. And then there is the question of cache. I don't think that it really matters that much, but still, it would seem kinda silly that it would be the main differentiating feature between high-end and low-end if it didn't matter.

 

AMD's sockets seem bit strange to me, they apparently have AM2, AM2+, and AM3. If I have understood correctly AM2 is for DDR2 and AM3 is for DDR3, right? DDR3 doesn't seem to have large performance advantage, and I could save few euros by going AM2/DDR2 route. Especially if I reused my old RAM, even if its bit slow. On the other hand DDR3 probably would be more future-proof, allowing easier upgrading. And with DDR3 I could then get bit better RAM and try my luck with over-clocking.

 

 

tl;dr: Quad/dual-core, cache, AM2/AM3? :helpsmilie:

[G3]

only if the motherboard can support it,

maybe do a low cost upgrade until the new pc is realized.

say an e8400/e8500 replacing the e2160

and 4gig ddr2 (2gig x2)

 

the old girl would love it.

[Mugenjin]

tl;dr: what's your budget?

[AussieFX]

I'm planning to upgrade my current CPU as it doesn't keep up with new games, and DCS runs bit too slowly for my taste. I currently have Intel e2160, 2x1G of cheapo DDR2, a P965 motherboard, and Radeon HD4850. I was thinking to go for AMD as they seem to rule the low-end markets. But I'm not sure of the rest.

 

AMD has just released cheap quad core Athlons that seem quite nice (AMD Athlon II X4 620), but I'm not sure if their single-threaded performance is good enough. Then I have heard rumors that some cheap dual-core CPU's can be unlocked to be quad-cores, that seems kinda neat. And dual-core would have far better single-threaded performance than quads. And then there is the question of cache. I don't think that it really matters that much, but still, it would seem kinda silly that it would be the main differentiating feature between high-end and low-end if it didn't matter.

 

AMD's sockets seem bit strange to me, they apparently have AM2, AM2+, and AM3. If I have understood correctly AM2 is for DDR2 and AM3 is for DDR3, right? DDR3 doesn't seem to have large performance advantage, and I could save few euros by going AM2/DDR2 route. Especially if I reused my old RAM, even if its bit slow. On the other hand DDR3 probably would be more future-proof, allowing easier upgrading. And with DDR3 I could then get bit better RAM and try my luck with over-clocking.

 

 

tl;dr: Quad/dual-core, cache, AM2/AM3? :helpsmilie:

Your right about the cache, it won't make much difference in games.

What you do need though is pure clockspeed, the amount of cores doesn't really matter. The new C3 steppings will be out in the next week or so and I believe some can already be found and they do clock very high. From what I've seen 4.2-4.3Ghz will be a breeze and that's being done on stock coolers. You can pick up cheap AMD motherboards, there are plenty of them. The swap tp DDR3 will be your problem. If you can afford 3 Gigs of that then the AMD solution should be a no brainer. You would get away with a system for well under $400. The save a few bucks for a 5850 videocard. :smilewink:

Definitely go the AM3 route as that socket is going to stay for Bulldozer (2011) so you've still got a few years left in your motherboard.

[CAT_101st]

No upgrades are cheap.