AMD Phenom II X4 955 still a high end CPU

[roderz88]

Is this CPU still capable of running recent games with decent fps? also is this a good platform to go with for the future ?

Not really concerned with intel since Ive allready bought an AM3 motherboard.

 

[Jango]

I would say that it is a high-end CPU, purely because mine is 3 years old.

However, the CPU doesn't make a large difference in FPS for games. My CPU (see below on my signature) barely exceeds the minimum requirement for COD Black Ops. But I can still play the campaign on it at high graphics settings averaging 30FPS, due to my graphics card.

If I were to buy a Q6600 Core 2 Quad 2.4GHz to replace my current CPU, I would barely see an increase in FPS. However, if I bought a very high-end graphics card to replace my current one, I would probably see a big increase in FPS.

Don't go completely by what I say though, as I might be wrong. This is just my advice, and I am relatively new to this sort of thing. Wait until more people reply for a better answer.

 

[Cookeh]

1). Yes.
2). Kinda, Bulldozer (AM3+) is coming out Q1 2011, and won't be compatible with older motherboards, however AM3 cpu's (such as yours) will work in the new AM3+ motherboards.

Jango is correct saying that the best way of increasing fps atm is with a new graphics card.

 

[roderz88]

thanks for the replies guys

Are you saying that AM3+ CPUs wont be compatible with AM3 sockets ?

 

[Orcvader]

Yup, AM3+ CPUs will not work in AM3 motherboards. But AM3 CPUs can work in AM3+ motherboards.

 

[roderz88]

Oh well, ive allready bought an AM3 Motherboard. Well, I proberbly wont need to upgrade from a PII 955 for a while anyway

 

[alex24]

It's still a great CPU. Some get to 4GHz if you have a decent one.

However, at less than £150 the 1055T is an even better deal in my opinion. 6-cores instead of 4, similar/better overclocking ability and so on. It will take games a while to catch up to 6-core CPUs but if you also do encoding or anything intensive really, you'll see the benefits. If you want to keep it a long time, I'd invest the extra in the 1055T, but it's your decision. They're both perfectly adequate for games today, there won't be much difference in FPS at all.

 

[the1gooner]

Oh well, ive allready bought an AM3 Motherboard. Well, I proberbly wont need to upgrade from a PII 955 for a while anyway

You won't, it's a very capable processor and will be for a long while yet.

 

[FoxEye]

But AM3 CPUs can work in AM3+ motherboards.

Which is a bit pointless, I think. What tangible benefit is there from just upgrading your motherboard?

The only time I've ever changed motherboards was because I had bought a new CPU which needed a new socket. Never bought a new mobo to put my existing CPU in, ever.

 

[roderz88]

I sort of wish i hadnt allready bought an AM3 board, its too late now as i bought it months back, i just havnt had chance to purchase the other parts yet.

But as a few people have said, the Phenom II 955 should still give good performance for another year or so right ?

 

[Cleeecooo]

Am3 socket is high end as is your cpu. As long as ypu have good graphocs you will gey good fps

 

[roderz88]

Thanks Cleeecooo, I dont actually own the PII 955 yet, I got the motherboard but just need to order the others when i get the money, which maybe just after xmas .

 

[DragonQ]

Which is a bit pointless, I think. What tangible benefit is there from just upgrading your motherboard?

The only time I've ever changed motherboards was because I had bought a new CPU which needed a new socket. Never bought a new mobo to put my existing CPU in, ever.

If your motherboard dies and needs replacing, you could get an AM3+ one so that you can upgrade to a Bulldozer CPU in the future but keep your current CPU for now.

 

[davidansell]

Im thinking about an phenom

 

[Tikkabhuna]

Which is a bit pointless, I think. What tangible benefit is there from just upgrading your motherboard?

The only time I've ever changed motherboards was because I had bought a new CPU which needed a new socket. Never bought a new mobo to put my existing CPU in, ever.

Only thing I can think of is people buying AM3 CPUs to be a cheap option to go with an AM3+ mobo and then upgrade when they have the money/need it. Or possibly if someone's mobo breaks they could replace it with an AM3+ and then upgrade the CPU later.

I guess if it was easy for AMD to have that compatibility then they just thought they might as well.

 

[sandeep]

I still have a Phenom II 940 it's clocked at 3.7Ghz and I can play any game on high teamed up with my 5850.

 

[arknor]

im running a stock x6 1055t and tbh nearly every game only uses 2cores with the 3rd core having almost no load

 

[PapaLazaru]

Got my 965 (basically the same chip) running at 4Ghz no problems. It is a great chip for the money and should see you ok for a couple more years at least.

 

[Big.Wayne]

Which is a bit pointless, I think. What tangible benefit is there from just upgrading your motherboard?

I wouldn't say having the ability to take an AM3 chip and pop it into an AM3+ board is "a bit pointless" . . . If the newer board has useful features that your current board does not like CrossFire, USB3.0, Sata III, Wifi, better overclocking via more robust power circuitry, better tweakers BIOS etc then buying the new board and selling your older board may be viable . . .

Personally, owning a pair of AM3 chips running in two AM2+ motherboards along with 8GB Of DDR2-1066 (increasing in value by the week) I am happy that when the time is right, I can transfer my two chips into a new platform and flog my older DDR2 and AM2+ motherboards and use the money to invest in a slab of DDR3 & AM3+ motherboards . . .

Of course if the newer next gen AM3+ processors smoke what I already own and sell for a reasonable price I would have to consider selling up the chips too!

The only time I've ever changed motherboards was because I had bought a new CPU which needed a new socket. Never bought a new mobo to put my existing CPU in, ever.

I have done just that actually . . . went through at least three LGA775 motherboards using the same LGA775 chip . . . I guess it depends if your really into OverClocking & Tweaking or not and what features your first board has . . .

Hardware interoperability although not a killer feature is a nice touch and I'm glad AMD® give me the option to mix'n'match hardware!

 

[roderz88]

Thanks for all the replies, I have ordered a Phenom 955, along with 4GB of DDR3 1600MHz RAM, Corsair A50 cooler Corsair 750W PSU and a CM 690II Case. The motherboard i ordered a while ago which is an Asus model with a 890GX chip (i think). Ill order a new graphics card in a couple of weeks when I can afford it. For now, il stick with my 9800GTX+