CPU upgrade for a friend

[simbady]

My friend currently has a AMD Phenom I 9550 @ 2.2Ghz. He wants to upgrade his CPU as he just got a 6870 and feels as if it’s being slightly bottlenecked.
He doesn't want to spend a lot of money, so far we have looked at getting a good cooler for around £50 and overclocking the 9550. Or upgrading to a Athlon II 640 3.0Ghz which is £80. So would it be better to overclock or upgrade to the Athlon.

Thanks in Advanced

 

[JW1993]

Overclocking on the 9550 seems to limited to around 3Ghz max. If he thinks that will suffice then buy a decent cooler and get clocking. If not then you could always go for the 640

 

[kevbiss1]

upgrade to a phenom 2, especially with an ace graphics card like that

 

[simbady]

He doesn't really have the money for a phenom II and is looking for a upgrade soon.

 

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

There seems to be not much difference in games between a Phenom I and an Athlon II at the same clockspeed:

http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/106?vs=21

 

[marms]

for gaming the Athlon II X3 Tri Core 445 3.10GHz would be a good choice, just over £60 and he will have the option to overclock further in the future if he needs to.