Upgrading an E2200

M

msbbc833

Limp Gawd
Joined
Aug 15, 2008
Messages
320
Hello all,

I have the following setup currently

E2200 @ 2.93 Ghz
ECS GF7050 nForce board (single channel memory controller)
4GB (2x2GB) DDR2
250GB Seagate SATA drive
Geforce 9600GSO Video Card
DVD Burner
L227WTG 22" LCD

I am wanting to upgrade to a fairly faster computer, and faster video card for some of the newer games coming out such as SC2, Splinter Cell Conviction, etc. I am on a tight budget so I am trying to keep it as cheap as possible. I really would like to keep my existing DDR2, HD, and burner. I really want a quad core, and I think AMD is the best bang for buck currently. I was thinking of the following upgrades

X2 5000+ (can be unlocked to quad core with 6MB L3 cache)
Asus or Gigabyte AMD 770 Chipset mobo
Radeon 4890 1GB

I can buy all of the above for about $230. This setup would be exponentially faster than what I currently run. Or I could get an X2 550 BE but and unlock it, but those are more expensive and result in the same quad core with 6mb cache, correct? So there is no advantage in buying a 550 BE over a X2 5000?

Also, would you guys suggest upgrading my monitor? I am noticing some difference in the darkness between the top and bottom of the monitor, it can be a little annoying at times, especially when gaming or watching movies. What are most people running these days? Maybe I should just keep my current monitor?

Thanks for any advice!
 
The catch is that few of the AM2+/AM3 boards that support DDR2 memory also support the newer quad-core processors. You'll have to perform a bit of research to ensure that the board you choose now will support newer processors later.
 
x2 550 is much faster than an x2 5000 yes, but they can both be unlocked to quad cores, which are then equal in performance, right? they both have the same l3 cache.
 
Yes, a Phenom II X2 550 is faster than the Athlon 64 X2 5000, and you can unlock the two additional cores on the X2 550. However, you need a board capable of unlocking said cores, and I personally don't know which boards are capable of that. (Yes, I could do a little research, but so could you. ;) )
 
Combo: AMD Phenom II X2 555 Black Edition Callisto 3.2GHz Socket AM3 + ASUS M4A785-M AM3/AM2+/AM2 AMD 785G $165.98

SAPPHIRE 100283-2L Radeon HD 5770 1GB + free The Dark Knight DVD $159.99 + free shipping

Total: $332.96.

Notes:
Should be a nice upgrade for you. The cpu is am3 so when you are ready to upgrade to ddr3 ram the cpu will be current platform(well today anyway :) )
The gpu is solid and well proven for your needs. You did not mention the psu you have? The 5770 isnt that tough to handle but you should let us know what you have to be certain.
Show pics and enjoy!
 
What PSU do you have? It would be a bad idea to upgrade your system if your PSU can't handle the upgrades

msbbc833 said:
x2 550 is much faster than an x2 5000 yes, but they can both be unlocked to quad cores, which are then equal in performance, right? they both have the same l3 cache.
Click to expand...
Not necessarily. The X2 5000+ is clocked at 2.2Ghz and the highest OC I've seen accomplished with a quad-core unlocked X2 5000+ is 3.3Ghz. The average seems be about 2.6Ghz to 2.8Ghz. Meanwhile, the X2 555 is clocked at 3.2Ghz so it would be an 3.2Ghz quad core CPU right off the bat with still room to overclock. So the X2 555 would be faster.

But please answer questions 6, 8, 9 and 10 from the link that lt_shiro provided.
 
If you're near a MC, they give $30-$50 bundle discounts for cpu/mobos. If you're near a Fry's, they've got a 555 x2 combo for $105 or $115, depending on where you are; the problem is the bundled board is AM3, so you could sell it and buy an AM2+ board instead, or sell your DDR2 and buy some DDR3. It's up to you.
 
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