Is it worth upgrading AMD 64 X2 4200+ to AMD 64 X2 6000+?

ugnius40

Hello moneysavers,

I'm thinking of upgrading my computers CPU, and am looking for a second opinion is it worth to spend £60 for a new processor.
Reason why I want to do this is that recently I've had to replace my graphics card (old MSI GeForce 8600GT was overheating without being heavily underclocked).
I've bought GeForce 9600GT, which seems to be much more stable, and it increased graphics processing speed a little. But it's only slight increase because my current CPU (AMD Athlon 64 X2 4200+ 2.2GHz 65W) seems to be the bottleneck.
I would like to buy AMD Athlon 64 X2 6000+ 3.0GHz 125W, but I do not know will it remove the bottleneck.

My other option is to stop eating and drinking, and wait until I have enough money to buy new motherboard, processor & memory bundle (I'm looking at around £250 to be spent that way).

Current spec.:
Motherboard: Asus M2N-E SLI
CPU: mentioned above
GPU: XFX GeForce 9600GT XXX Alpha Dog Edition
RAM: 2x Kingston 1GB 533MHz DDR2 Non-ECC CL4 DIMM (KVR533D2N4/1G)

I've assembled this computer around 2 years ago, on a cheap side, so any way, it might be good time to upgrade it completely, not just up the processor.

I would like the experts here help me decide which way to go.
Thank you.
Any input is greatly appreciated.
Ugnius

davb

Have you run task manager to look what is going on - is the CPU going at 100%

I presume you are using this for gaming, also what is the OS.

ugnius40

davb wrote: »

Have you run task manager to look what is going on - is the CPU going at 100%

I presume you are using this for gaming, also what is the OS.

Thanks,

I've used 3d mark 06 and 3dmark vantage and the results are well below average, also when GTA IV is running, CPU is maxed out. Sorry I cannot double check this at the moment, I'm on holiday abroad.

Yes, I'm using this for gaming, most of the games run quite well except newest titles, and GTA IV is a little bit sluggish.

OS: Dualboot Windows 7 RC1 Evaluation (mostly use it for gaming), & SuSE Linux 11.1

-TangleFoot-

ugnius40 wrote: »

...my current CPU (AMD Athlon 64 X2 4200+ 2.2GHz 65W) seems to be the bottleneck.
I would like to buy AMD Athlon 64 X2 6000+ 3.0GHz 125W, but I do not know will it remove the bottleneck.

Though it is 800MHz faster it can also produce twice as much heat. Unless you plan on upgrading the cooling system at the same time you're probably better off waiting until you can afford something better.

davester

you only have 2 GB RAM , pop in some more ram will be a cheaper option than a chip upgrade, Windows will thank you at least

ugnius40

-TangleFoot- wrote: »

Though it is 800MHz faster it can also produce twice as much heat. Unless you plan on upgrading the cooling system at the same time you're probably better off waiting until you can afford something better.

Thanks,

Heat might be the problem, so most likely I'll also have to buy a new case with decent cooling. It seems I will not get away cheaply. I'm leaning towards saving money for a new rig, I can still play some older games, and Linux is runing quite well, I'll be able to wait a year or so until i get enough money. Memory increase would be in order, but I havent found memory to be the problem yet. It might seem weird but at least my Win 7 usually has ~500MB free.

And again, thanks everyone here

fwor

I had to make a similar decision recently to upgrade the AM2 processor in my MythTV server. I chose the Athlon 64 X2 5600+ because, despite AMD's ridiculous numbering system, it actually runs at 2.9Ghz but consumes half the power of the 6000+, and consumes no more power than the X2 4000+ that it replaced.

It has no trouble simultaneously recording TV (SD, not HD) on 3 channels while playing back a fourth as a previous recording, and never gets above around 80% utilisation, so it seems pretty potent, despite having a smaller cache to play with - and it's only £50.

ugnius40

fwor wrote: »

I had to make a similar decision recently to upgrade the AM2 processor in my MythTV server. I chose the Athlon 64 X2 5600+ because, despite AMD's ridiculous numbering system, it actually runs at 2.9Ghz but consumes half the power of the 6000+, and consumes no more power than the X2 4000+ that it replaced.

It has no trouble simultaneously recording TV (SD, not HD) on 3 channels while playing back a fourth as a previous recording, and never gets above around 80% utilisation, so it seems pretty potent, despite having a smaller cache to play with - and it's only £50.

So there is still hope to increase fps cheaply. I've been reading around the net, some people have almost doubled their fps in games by going from AMD 4200+ to 6400+. I'm just wondering how much of an increase would be if going to 5600+@2.9GHz. If it's something like +40% or more, I'm going to buy it.
But I guess I'll never know until I try.

Thanks fwor

[Deleted User]

-TangleFoot- wrote: »

Though it is 800MHz faster it can also produce twice as much heat. Unless you plan on upgrading the cooling system at the same time you're probably better off waiting until you can afford something better.

The stock cooler that the chip came with was perfectly adequate for the chip as long as you weren't considering overclocking it.

ugnius40, what other games are you expecting to be able to play? That should give us a better understanding of the system that will be right for your needs.

I do think it'd be a waste of time buying the processor in question though. For ~ £160 you could get;

AMD Phenom II X3 720 BE - £90
Asus M4A78 AMD 770 - £60
Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro - £15

Which would give you a massive increase in performance for not a great deal of money.

-TangleFoot-

anewhope wrote: »

The stock cooler that the chip came with was perfectly adequate for the chip as long as you weren't considering overclocking it.

I was thinking about the rest of the system. Even if the cooler supplied is the best that money can buy, the heat has to go somewhere.

Either way, replacing the motherboard and RAM along with the CPU is probably the best course of action. Improved manufacturing processes and lower power requirements mean the system as a whole has the potential to be both cooler and quieter than what you have now, especially if you add a high-efficiency PSU to the mix.

Athlon 64 (130-65nm SOI) → Athlon 64 X2 (90-65nm SOI) → Phenom II (45nm SOI + IL)
DDR (2.5V) → DDR2 (1.8V) → DDR3 (1.5V)

ugnius40

Hi,

Sorry I'm responding only after some time.
Thank you for suggestions.
I've been exploring my other options, I think I will upgrade my computer gradually.
I have a dodgy chinese 500W (supposedly) PSU which I want to replace with ATX V2.3 compliant one, & my computer case is all worn out already so that needs replacing too.
I was looking at "Coolermaster Elite 330 Black Case With CM eXtreme Power 460W PSU". I know I may be on the edge with power, but this case seems OK and at a bargain price £60.

I'll be able to fit my old motherborad into it until i have money for next component.
I'm looking at £60 "Gigabyte GA-MA770-UD3 770 Socket AM2+" (revision 2 with SB710 South Bridge) motherboard, which should be capable of housing my old Athlon 64 X2 4200+ for a while, and my Kingston RAM.

Later, I would add AM3 processor into the mix, I havent decided yet, but recent AMD Athlon II X4 620 (£78) has caught my eye (even if it has no L3 cache and does not overclock too well).
But yes If I could get AMD Phenom II X3 720 for £90 (the shop I usually buy from has it for £105) , I would throw in another £20 for it.

And later, optinally, replace stock cooler and replace RAM with a faster one.

I've decided not to waste my money on already outdated AM2 processor anyway.

Thanks

Update: As for games I'd like to play, most of them are graphics demanding Action, FPS, RPG genre, occasionaly RTS. The ones that are out now, and will come out in a year or so. I do not need to run them on all high settings, just want them to run at 30 fps to be playable. Even with my current set up most of games I play run quite well, the only problem I had with GTA IV & Annum 1440, they run a bit sluggish. My favourites Fallout 3, Drakensang, & Mass Effect run very well. As for the nearest future I plan to get a copy of Flashpoint: Dragon Rising and Dragon Age: Origins.