What would you do?

K

kaiweiler

Limp Gawd
Joined
Dec 19, 2007
Messages
314
Imagine you had an AM2 system you were fairly happy with, but the CPU was the lowest performing part in your system.
I have a 4400+ at around 3Ghz (257x11.5) at 1.4v
Ram is 667Mhz at 844Mhz
Would you:
a) Put in an AM2 5000+ Black and OC heavily
b) Get a better AM2 chip with higher L2 cache
c) Get better RAM and try to push the locked 4400+ higher
d) Completely switch over to Intel (new CPU/mobo)
e) Nothing
 
e) Nothing
Click to expand...

“Meditation brings wisdom; lack of mediation leaves ignorance. Know well what leads you forward and what hold you back, and choose the path that leads to wisdom.”
Hindu Prince Gautama Siddharta (Buddha)

Unless a deficient exists in your computer life, accept it for what it offers.

What is the quantity of your RAM?
 
Well, how can you tell that your CPU is holding you back? In fact, where is your CPU holding you back?

Another way to put it: What are you doing now that you feel that faster CPU would be of a significant benefit?
 
Applications just take longer then I would like to load sometimes, even on my raid-0 array.
Games like CS:S that are very CPU dependent are only getting ~60fps while people with the same gfx card are getting double that.
I know I know, 60fps is playable but I feel as if I'm missing out on the potential of my 8800GT.
 
Have you done a reformat and reinstall?

If a reformat and reinstall didn't speed up things up, then consider switching to Intel.
 
The OS install is not old, maybe 1 month? and it is taken good care of, I do regular anti spyware scans daily, defrag weekly, remove any unused programs, and keep the registry/temp files cleaned. I don't THINK it's the OS that's slowing me down...
Are Intels any quicker for running multiple programs and application loading?
 
well one thing I know is that when it comes to gaming the cpu cache should be 2 x 1 g at a minimum to achieve greater performance and keep up with the gpu.
Also by your op are you telling us you have oc'd your 667mhz ram to 800+mhz speeds?

What monitor are you playing on size & res? CS:S is not a very demanding game that card should be well over 100 fps on max settings.

I have not heard of many people oc'ing 667 to 800 speds maybe the ram is over taxed?
maybe grab these,

OCZ Reaper HPC Edition 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 $49 after mir
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227231

Also what mobo are you running?
What psu do you have and wattage?

I think this upgrade would make you happy,

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103191

Total for both above is about $200 and your system should scream!
 
The 4400+ is 2x512kb L2, so there would be a significant difference switching to 2x1mb?

And yes my RAM is OC'd from 333Mhz to 422Mhz in dual channel (844Mhz) at 1.95v with 18-6-6-6 timings.
ramspeeds.jpg


I'm running the Gigabyte MA69G-S3H motherboard which I'm pretty happy with so far, no problems as of yet.
PSU is a Corsair HX520, also I've been very happy with.

Wow I'd love that 6400+ 3.2Ghz, is that Black edition with the unlocked multiplier???
All I can find here in Canada is the regular version for almost $200
 
Hmm thanks!
Think this is a worthy investment over my 4400+ at 3Ghz?
And if so would my old ram be holding me back? Or would running the chip at something like 400*9, and my ram 1:1 (hopefully) be fine.

Is putting more money into an AM2 system for gaming a waste?
 
A waste in my opinion.
If you want to drive an 8800GT or faster card to its max, you need a C2D running at least 3GHz.

I saw a massive jump in gaming performance going from a X2 @ 2.8GHz to an E8400 @ over 4.2GHz.
 
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