Processor upgrade dilemma

dorian hawkmoon · 29 Aug 2010

My brother wants to upgrade from his x2 5000+ (he has m2ne mobo, 2 gigs ddr2) to a newer AMD processor. His budget is tight, so he wants to make sure that he buys the right one. His choices are:

Ahlon II x4 635/640
Phenom II x4 945

Obviously it would be real good if Athlon II X4 gave good money to performance ratio (decent compression/encoding/gaming performance), rather than Phenom II X4, as the series is at least 2000 Rupees costlier

!

Any suggestions guys :) ?

Darician · 29 Aug 2010

The main difference between Athlon II and Phenom II is Athlon II lacks L3 cache. This article from Tom's hardware should help in your decision and weighing whether the extra cost is worth it: Athlon II Or Phenom II: Does Your CPU Need L3 Cache? : L3 Cache: How Important Is It To AMD?

If you're going for saving the most money, then the Athlon II 640 would be the better choice.

SilverStar · 29 Aug 2010

Phenom II is definitely worth it

jimbo45 · 29 Aug 2010

SilverStar said:

Phenom II is definitely worth it

Hi there -- this *might* or *might not* be true -- without ANY reasons as to why you have said its worth it the Post is really meaningless.

Please at least SPECIFY at least one reason why you think this processor is worth it.

It probably is worth it based on the specs but at least post your reasons otherwise the post is just a waste of Internet Bandwidth.

Cheers
jimbo

whs · 29 Aug 2010

Are you sure he has a compatible socket? The 5000+ is on an AM2 socket and the ones you propose need AM2+ or AM3 sockets.

SilverStar · 29 Aug 2010

jimbo45 said:

SilverStar said:

Phenom II is definitely worth it

Hi there -- this *might* or *might not* be true -- without ANY reasons as to why you have said its worth it the Post is really meaningless.

Please at least SPECIFY at least one reason why you think this processor is worth it.

It probably is worth it based on the specs but at least post your reasons otherwise the post is just a waste of Internet Bandwidth.

Cheers
jimbo

Easy, L3 cache. even though its a small difference, Phenom would perform greater as the process becomes greater. some benchmark results i found from the link above: Benchmark Results: 3DMark, Games : Athlon II Or Phenom II: Does Your CPU Need L3 Cache?

Solarstarshines · 29 Aug 2010

phenom II quadcore would be a better choice obviously more power more capabilities

if your board is backwards compatable am2+ am3 good if not your are stuck with the athlon and right now why get a mid range phenom when the 965 blk edition is 20 dollars more then the 945 being that the new hexcore lowered the blk edition prices

Im upgrading soon from a 925 phenom 2.8 to the black 965 why cause no need for hexcore and if i upgrade my board to am3 only i still have choices and wont have to purchase another cpu for along while

think of the long run instead of your wallet you can always be patient and save a little more

stormy13 · 29 Aug 2010

Latest official bios (3001) for that board supports up to the x4 945, and there is a beta bios (5001) that came out the 25th of June that added AM3 support. Go here,

ASUSTeK Computer Inc.-Support-

go through the dropdowns and select the board. You can also see the CPU support list here,

ASUSTeK Computer Inc.-Support-

dorian hawkmoon · 29 Aug 2010

whs said:

Are you sure he has a compatible socket? The 5000+ is on an AM2 socket and the ones you propose need AM2+ or AM3 sockets.

Yes, he has the support, but he has to flash the BIOS to a more recent one, as Stormy13 mentioned.

johnny333 · 29 Aug 2010

Have the same mother board I would get 2 more gig of ram first. I have 4 gigs with windows 7 64 bit and works great. If you get a new CPU you will probable need to flash the BIOS. Asus web site has good information.
GB Johnny333

Processor upgrade dilemma

Processor upgrade dilemma

Get 2 more gigs of ram