Author Topic: Possible CPU/MB upgrade question  (Read 283 times)

Offline ROC

  • Aces High CM Staff (Retired)
  • Platinum Member
  • ******
  • Posts: 7700
Possible CPU/MB upgrade question
« on: October 26, 2006, 11:45:08 PM »
I'm currently running AMD Athlon XP, 1733 MHz (13 x 133) 2100+ on a MSI KT3 Ultra2 (MS-6380E) Motherboard with 1279 MB SDRAM.

I'm thinking about the Athlon 64 X2 4200+ with either a gigabyte or another MSI board.

I'll probably do this over the weekend, but I'm wondering first, how much better it's really going to be?

I don't understand Dual core completely, but reading up on reviews I'm noticing this.
Quote
The Athlon 64 X2 4200+ and 4600+ models sport 512 kB L2 cache per core and run at 2.2 and 2.4 GHz respectively.


From Here

Granted, I know I'm going to get better performance just by the MB improvement and the new memory I'll be using, but is it Really worth it to go dual core?  Operating as 2 processors, am I really just getting the benefit of 2.2ghz if I'm not pushing the system to the limit and would I be better off getting a more powerful Single Core?

Cost wise, it's easy enough.  Fry's has the 4200 at $179.00 and a MB that AMD recommends for $149.00  

Is there a better way to go than this?  Mind you, This computer is Strictly a dedicated gamer, and I want it to zip.  AH runs Great with the system I have, but I want more, some games like Americas Army and Silent Hunter III tend to lag a bit on the graphics.
ROC
Nothing clever here.  Please, move along.

Offline NHawk

  • Silver Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 1787
Possible CPU/MB upgrade question
« Reply #1 on: October 27, 2006, 06:13:45 AM »
Roc...

Since I'm not looking for a new system, I don't really know the full answer to your question.

What I do know is build/buy the most maxed out system you can afford at the time you buy it. Buy anything less and you'll be replacing components and/or the system alot sooner than you should.

I maxed out my system with the best available components 4 years ago and it's still going strong without missing a beat. I still get 100fps in AH and the only things I replaced were the power supply and video card. The power supply went belly up this year. And the video didn't need replacing, I just got the itch to see what a newer card would do. The other day the new card decided to die and I put my old one back in while waiting for the warranty replacement. Guess what? Still 100 fps. :)
Most of the people you meet in life are like slinkies. Pretty much useless, but still bring a smile to your face when you push them down the stairs.
-------------------------------
Sometimes I think I have alzheimers. But then I forget about it and it's not a problem anymore.

Offline AKDogg

  • Gold Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2309
      • http://aksquad.net/
Possible CPU/MB upgrade question
« Reply #2 on: October 27, 2006, 08:20:58 AM »
Just to give U a comparison, this is my setup:

AMD 64 4000+
2 gig of cas 2 latency DDR 400 ram
74 gig WD raptor HD
100 gig sata drive WD
Nvidia 7900GT 256 meg video card
SB Audigy 2ZS soundcard
Asus MB (Nvidia SLI premium Nforce 4 chipset)


Settings in game:

1280x1024x32 at 512 textures
4xAA
8xAF
Preload everything
graphic detail and distance sliders full left (max quality and dist)
Mixed soundpacks (sketch, waffle, etc..)

I get about 60-75 FPS (75 max because refresh rate)

U should be fine as long as u get a good video card like mine.
AKDogg
Arabian knights
#Dogg in AW
http://aksquad.net/