Current CPU vs New one

[jb876fup]

hey guys, i'm planning on buying the

AMD Phenom II X2 Dual Core 555 3.20GHz Black Edition
link here: http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CP-265-AM

and there is a chance you can unlock it to a quad core, being a black-edition cpu it also has great overclocking capabilities.

However there is only a chance you can unlock all 4 cpu's and so i was wondering, if i left it at the stock 2 cores, and overclocked it to 3.5GHz, would it still beat my current processor?

current proccessor: AMD Phenom X4 9950 Blackedition
link here: http://products.amd.com/en-ca/DesktopCPUDetail.aspx?id=447

 

[cmndr_andi]

If you don't unlock - then this is how it it compares to your old CPU (better in some tasks, worse in others).

To be honest - if you want a quad core, buy a quad core. This one is an excellent price right now.

 

[Redmint]

In some applications yes, in others no. The original Phenom series were pretty terrible for gaming from what I remember, in terms of raw CPU power the Phenom 9950 should still beat a Phenom II at 3.5GHz though. At 4GHz it might be quite close... There's a reasonable chance that you could unlock at least 1 extra core and quite a few people manage to unlock to quads, up to you if you want to take the gamble.

edit - as Andi points out the 955 is actually quite cheap atm too, makes it a great option if you can afford the extra.

 

[gillywibble]

Get the 955 BE as stated.

 

[VFM Addict]

Athlon II x3 445. Unlocks to a Phenom II almost as often as that Phenom 555 and if it doesn't then you still have three cores. Note though that its the 445 that you want. All 445's seen to be locked Denebs. OC's very well also locked or unlocked.