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AMD: Upgrade from E2180 @ 3GHZ

T

Thade

Weaksauce
Joined
Aug 20, 2004
Messages
121
Hi all. I think I'm ready for my next upgrade & like my current system, I'm looking for the best bang for buck. My E2180 was a 50.00 CPU.. I had a Q6600 in the same system but I sold it cause at the time, I didn't really see any major gains for gaming. I mostly play Modern Warfare 2 and everything was smooth as silk but Black Ops seems to be pushing too hard and at 2X AA game play is tolerable but I'd rather be at max everything. To make it more confusing, there are issues with the game itself running smooth for even the best systems.

What I have now:

E2180@ 3GHZ
GIGABYTE GA-P35-DS3
4 GB OCZ Platinum
ATI 5770 905/1250

Would I see any noticeable performance from an AMD 3 or 4 core CPU?

Should I consider some cheap MB/CPU combos like the ones at Micro Center?

Should I just throw in another Intel chip?

Do I select a MB that uses DDR2 to keep my existing RAM or is it worth it to go to DDR3? ram is cheap so I'm not necessarily locked into keeping mine as my current system can be handed down the family upgrade chain..

I really did my best to research prior to posting but there are just too many choices and I'm not exactly current with today's hardware...

TIA
 
Make sure you get a processor of over 3GHz since there will be less than 10% improvement in IPC with any current AMD chip.
 
If you are happy with what you have now,just put a quad in there and call it a day.
 
Black Ops is a MHz whore, an i7 920 with the same settings except clock speeds increases its FPS linearly up to 4.2GHz, so the more the better.

If your happy with the rest of your system, the cheapest way to accomplish your goal is to grab a Q6600 and OC it. The MicroCenter motherboard deals that are free with the CPU aren't going to stack up to yours.
 
Thade said:
Would I see any noticeable performance from an AMD 3 or 4 core CPU?

TIA
Click to expand...

I really don't think so. There will be a difference, but not nearly as big as you may think. They won't be any better than the Q6600 you had.

Use anandtech bench to compare a Q6600 to a phenom 955 (keeping in mind that the 6600 is 800 mhz slower)

http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/53?vs=88

Thade said:
Should I consider some cheap MB/CPU combos like the ones at Micro Center?

TIA
Click to expand...

No I think you would be better off thinking about a GPU upgrade, or just waiting in general.

Thade said:
Should I just throw in another Intel chip?

TIA
Click to expand...

Yeah you would be better off getting a used 775 quad and overclocking it. C2Q and athlon/phenom X4 performance is pretty similar clock for clock.

Thade said:
I really did my best to research prior to posting but there are just too many choices and I'm not exactly current with today's hardware...
TIA
Click to expand...

Thats another reason to just keep your current gear, not much sense in buying a whole new setup and still sticking with DDR2 knowing its going away.
 
basically get intel if you want framerates to go up. and i3 new is $100 so its very affordable, crank it up to 4ghz on stock cooling and call it a day
 
The IPC improvement would be much greater than 10% if you push the cpu-nb higher than it's stock 2ghz. 2.6-2.8ghz is easily attainable for 24/7 and grants a very large ipc improvement. It's all about efficiency.

Any of the following would be an upgrade, especially if OC'd.

Athlon X4 640+
Phenom 2 955+
 
well honestly I'd slap take a trip to Microcenter snatch up a Phenom II 555 x2, and your choice of board, a few of them ring up for free OTD or at the very least Free AMIR, reguardless of what AMD compatible board you choose you will get at least $40 off at the register... tough to beat that, me personally I would go with the Asus M4A88TD-V EVO, 8+2 power phases, nice VRM/chipset cooling, tough to beat for the price (unless you plan to run SLI/crossfire as it only has 16/4)

I have purchased like 9 or those CPUs and so far every last one of them has unlocked to 4 cores and hit AT LEAST 3.6GHz on a Xiggy S1283 cooler

if you don't have a Microcenter in your area I would be more than happy to pick some stuff up for you, I only ask that you cover shipping, I have done this for a few people...

I would even be willing to test the CPU to make sure it unclocks/OCs, and if it does not, I could have it exchanged
 
I just picked up an X2 560 and it's paired with a MSI 890gx. Both core's unlocked and it's cruising along at 3.8ghz stock volts / 2.8ghz cpu-nb 1.25v. The only reason I did not suggest an X2 is because of the off chance of it not unlocking. It will still be faster than his E2180 but it won't really do much for him in the long run. He's better off going with 4 cores and being safe, he'll appreciate it more in the long run.

I would still say find a Athlon x4 640+ and overclock it, should be good for 3.6ghz+ depending on your board or a Phenom 2 X4 BE. Whatever fits in your budget, just make sure you get a C3 stepping.
 
bore_u2_death said:
Black Ops is a MHz whore, an i7 920 with the same settings except clock speeds increases its FPS linearly up to 4.2GHz, so the more the better.
Click to expand...

Agreed. BlackOps has been absolutely butter smooth for me on the rig/settings in my sig. The only issue I encountered was when the second patch went live and after the servers all got whipped into shape it was fine. I was seeing 80-90% Util. of my CPU.
 
Wow.. lots of great feedback... Thanks!

This might be too good to pass up but Q9300 2.5 GHZ 6MB L2 is 99.00 at local Micro Center. I shouldn't have too much trouble getting to 3+ GHZ

seems like an inexpensive quick fix unless you guys think there's any reason why I shouldn't? At 3GHZ 2 cores vs 4 + addl L2 will I see any diff or at the same clock speed will I have 4 cores instead of 2 at relatively the same performance? seems like a bargain price for a quad core but also tough to overclock too high due to 7.5 multiplier
 
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Just go with the $99 Q8300, overclock it to 3GHz+ and call it a day until your next big upgrade which will probably be Sandy Bridge or Bulldozer. It's not worth investing in a new DDR2 platform at this point in time, and I definitely wouldn't suggest a new DDR3 build with SB right around the corner.
 
Not the Q8300 4MB, the Q9300 6MB is now $99 at Micro Center. Stock is 2.5GHz on 333 FSB. Either would be fine in that board at 400 FSB for 3 GHz.
 
m_isom said:
Not the Q8300 4MB, the Q9300 6MB is now $99 at Micro Center. Stock is 2.5GHz on 333 FSB. Either would be fine in that board at 400 FSB for 3 GHz.
Click to expand...

Yep, that's the one I'm considering and there are plenty in stock so I haven't pushed the button just yet... I understand that 3-3.3, 3.4 GHZ could be about the max so I'm hoping clock for clock... even at 3 GHZ a quad will give me the boost I'm looking for. Even tho the q9300 ONLY has 6 MB cache, the 2180 I'm using now has 1 MB...
 
Yeah sorry I got my models confused, the Q8300 is $90 and Q9300 is $99, at those prices I'd definitely go with the Q9300.

The P35-DS3s aren't renowned for reaching very high FSBs with quads, but 400MHz FSB should be OK. It'll be a massive boost over your E2180 in games.
 
harpoon said:
Yeah sorry I got my models confused, the Q8300 is $90 and Q9300 is $99, at those prices I'd definitely go with the Q9300.

The P35-DS3s aren't renowned for reaching very high FSBs with quads, but 400MHz FSB should be OK. It'll be a massive boost over your E2180 in games.
Click to expand...

True, but I am hoping even if I don't get too far past 3 GHZ which is where I am now, I will still see the benefits of addl cores and cache. There's a huge thread at overclock.net with folks getting average to excellent overclocks on Q9300 with similar hardware:

http://www.overclock.net/intel-cpus/324846-q9300-club-4.html

I picked up the Q9300 for 99.00 + tax and if it will buy me some time on my current system I think it's a steal.

I guess this really isn't an AMD thread anymore :) I really wanted to make a switch but after all of the feedback, the smart switch would be 6 cores, new RAM, new MB, and while I'm at it... maybe a new case, and throw in another hard drive... you know how that goes.... and unless I'm ready to go all out, I should hold off. and then what to do with all of the old hardware? I hate seeing a cheapo CPU/MB/RAM combo go to waste unless it can be appreciated. I'm still pretty impressed by the 49.00 2180 that did 3+ GHZ..... I can pop it into a "kid" machine but it won't go too far past stock... Oh well, I digress :) Thanks for all the feedback guys!
 
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