Need help with buying a new CPU

[STORM-Mama]

I am currently using a AMD Phenom X4 9650 processor, with a core speed of 2,3GHz. I am suspecting that this could be one of the main reasons for my low FPS while playing PR (I have 8gigs of RAM and a Radeon HD 5850 graphics card).

I am therefore planning on replacing my CPU with a better one, but know nothing about CPUs or how they are installed.
What speed would be enough to play PR with good FPS, preferably on high settings? I'm not interested in the generally best or fastest CPUs, since PR really is the only game I play.

Have done some reading, and found out that the "socket" is relevant. According to CPU-Z the current processor has a "Socket AM2+ (940)".
What are the other things I have to know about?

[LITOralis.nMd]

1. What is the exact motherboard you have?

2. AMD Phenom? II Processor Model Number and Feature Comparisons

... DO you have a AMD Phenom X4 9650 Black Edition or a AMD Phenom X4 9650 ?

Black Edition is overclockable.

At this late point in the AM2+ product cycle, it's a question of value for your money.

[STORM-Mama]

LITOralis.nMd;1977574']1. What is the exact motherboard you have?

2. AMD Phenom? II Processor Model Number and Feature Comparisons

... DO you have a AMD Phenom X4 9650 Black Edition or a AMD Phenom X4 9650 ?

Black Edition is overclockable.

At this late point in the AM2+ product cycle, it's a question of value for your money.

First, thanks for the quick answer!

1. My MB is an Acer RS780HVF. I just saw that I have an old version of BIOS (R01-B3). I presume I should do an upgrade?

2. I have the non-Black edition. The comparison didn't tell me very much. As I said, I dom't know much about CPUs. What frequency, number of cores, etc. would you recommend for PR?

Thanks.

[eversmen_br]

i had a frew problems with my memory 1600... had to put back into 1333 to solve my low fps and jerkiness .

[LITOralis.nMd]

First, thanks for the quick answer!

1. My MB is an Acer RS780HVF. I just saw that I have an old version of BIOS (R01-B3). I presume I should do an upgrade?

2. I have the non-Black edition. The comparison didn't tell me very much. As I said, I dom't know much about CPUs. What frequency, number of cores, etc. would you recommend for PR?

Thanks.

My MB is an Acer RS780HVF.

The Acer RS780HVF is not overclockable. Which severely limits your options here.

???Are you certain of which CPU you have installed???
1. You stated a CPU model, but listed the wrong speed.
2. Acer didn't sell that mobo with that CPU in prebuilt PCs.
3. Your Motherboard will max support Phenom II processors x4 (quad-core) in the 95W range. The 965 is 125W.

I'm just asking cause of the conflict in the CPU model and CPU frequency you mentioned.

EDIT:
IF you have the 965, the incremental cost to incremental value of upgrading from the 965 to a 970 or 975 is not worth the money.

AMD Phenom™ II X4 Processor
Model Number Frequency Total L2 Cache L3 Cache Packaging Thermal Design Power CMOS Technology
980* 3.7 GHz 2MB 6MB socket AM3 125W 45nm SOI
975* 3.6 GHz 2MB 6MB socket AM3 125W 45nm SOI
970* 3.5 GHz 2MB 6MB socket AM3 125W 45nm SOI
965* 3.4 GHz 2MB 6MB socket AM3 125W 45nm SOI

IN conclusion, do not waste money upgrading your CPU.

At some point in the future you want to buy a new CPU+motherboard+RAM. Drop by again whenever you get to that point..

[X-Alt]

My MB is an Acer RS780HVF.

The Acer RS780HVF is not overclockable. Which severely limits your options here.

???Are you certain of which CPU you have installed???
1. You stated a CPU model, but listed the wrong speed.
2. Acer didn't sell that mobo with that CPU in prebuilt PCs.
3. Your Motherboard will max support Phenom II processors x4 (quad-core) in the 95W range. The 965 is 125W.

I'm just asking cause of the conflict in the CPU model and CPU frequency you mentioned.

EDIT:
IF you have the 965, the incremental cost to incremental value of upgrading from the 965 to a 970 or 975 is not worth the money.



IN conclusion, do not waste money upgrading your CPU.

At some point in the future you want to buy a new CPU+motherboard+RAM. Drop by again whenever you get to that point..

@OP, What are your full specs? I would honestly sell your parts (8GB of DDR2 is quite expensive now), get these and done. If you want to get an FX8350 down the line, just sell the 1090T and perhaps get a good cooler (Crosshair IV is one of the few 890 boards to truly work with the FX series) Asus Crosshair Formula IV AMD 1090T 8GB Gskill 1600 Antec 620 Kuhler Combo | eBay

edit: You are in Sweden, whoops

[STORM-Mama]

Thanks again!

???Are you certain of which CPU you have installed???
1. You stated a CPU model, but listed the wrong speed.
2. Acer didn't sell that mobo with that CPU in prebuilt PCs.
3. Your Motherboard will max support Phenom II processors x4 (quad-core) in the 95W range. The 965 is 125W.

1. Are you sure? I think this is the one I have:
AMD Phenom X4 9650 - HD9650WCJ4BGH / HD9650WCGHBOX
Ancient at this point, I guess. 2008 feels like yesterday...

2. I got the computer as a birthday present, several years ago. I guess it wasn't purchased directly from Acer, and that perhaps the retailer put those two components together?


So, if I did have the Phenom II 9650 I understand that the upgrade wouldn't be worth it. But with the one I have, would you say the same?

[LITOralis.nMd]

I definitely made a mistake. I was confusing the 9650 with the 965.



It should be a definite improvement.

People on here can give you info on how much of an improvement.


MAKE SURE YOU can run over a 95W TDP CPU.

I can not find real info online. Acer removed the manual from their website.

[X-Alt]

The problem is he is trapped with an AM2+ board and ancient DDR2 RAM... This board supports the 1090T, but its a bit dated too... Alternatively, he could get a Crosshair IV and a 1055T, sell his 8GB DDR2 and save up for an 8320..
Asus M4A77 Motherboard AMD 770 SB710 Socket AM3 AM2 AM2 4719543173091 | eBay
http://www.ebay.com/itm/AMD-Phenom-II-X ... 33899252bf

Edit: Gah, why does this show up as having a new post!