CPU Recommend an upgrade please :)

I am currently rocking an AMD Phenom II X2 550 BE (Yes....that old.. ) in an MSI 770-c45 AM3 mobo.

I would like to upgrade to a quad core cpu that is decent and good value for money.

Preferably without changing mobo.....if possible.

I have been looking at the Phenom II X4 965 BE as that doesn't seem to require a change of mobo?

Comments and suggestions very much accepted and encouraged

Oh and budget is ~£100....but flexible for the perfect option.

Ok.....have at it!

Cheers,

Matt

 

Any1 able to help? I can adjust my budget if people think it is unrealistic

Alternatively, should I just bite the bullet and buy new mobo and CPU so that I can take advantage of SATA III?

 

Have you tried unlocking the CPU to a triple or quad core? Does your mobo support unlocking?

 

it does, and I have.....to no avail unfortunately

 

The 965 will probably be the cheapest upgrade, just check the CPU compatibility of your board - some AM3 boards only support up to 95w CPUs - probably not the case here, but it's best to be certain.

You can pick up a SATA3 card for £15 on Scan, if needs be.

 

Would a Phenom II X4 965 bottleneck the performance of some of the more recent GPUs, like the GTX 6xx or 7xxx series?
Just wondering, 'cause OP might want to switch to Intel if so.

 

A £100 budget isn't going to throw up too many options if he wants a quad though.

The 965 runs at 3.4GHz stock (I think) and will likely push a fair bit more, if needs be. I don't think it'll bottleneck all that much.

 

Did you up the volts when you tried to unlock it

 

Thanks for the replies guys. I did indeed try upping the volts when unlocking, tried everything one should to unlock....but I am one of the unlucky ones

I shall double check the compatibility of my mobo, thanks for the suggestion.

Do the SATA III Cards lose any performance (for the drives of course)? Being an add-in card.

*Edit* Have checked the compatibility list online - 965 listed!

 

Athlon II X4 620 will OC to 3.5GHz easy... and can be had in the 50 quid range used... and nothing the matter with buying used. Will save you lots of money.

Have i7 920 system that cost me £390 plus HDDs..

 

Thanks for your reply.

Is phenom not a much better processor though? for only 20 quid difference (brand new) due to L3 cache? Or am I just splitting hairs?

 

I really don't know. Passmark score for Athlon II X4 640 is 3464. Phenom II X4 945 is 3620. Not much of a difference to me