Help with CPU options

[Footyslayer]

Hello everyone,

this is a thread for me to figure out if I should learn to overclock my CPU or look at a new one. I upgraded my Ram and Graphics card recently and the CPU is next on my list

Current setup:

OS - Windows 7 Ultimate 64bit
Motherboard - GIGABYTE GA-MA790X-DS4 (with latest BIOS)
Processor Name - AMD Phenom II X4 920 (2800.0 MHz)
Graphics Card - gigabyte ati radeon hd 7850 oc windforce 2x 2048mb gddr5
memory - 8gb ddr2
psu - ezcool atx650jsp (650 watts)

now i looked at overclocking the current processor and found that i cannot change the multiplier from the x14 it is already on, well i can go lower but that defeats what i want. also in the bios of my motherboard i struggled to figure out where i actually change anything.

now i have an option, i could buy a better cpu and i am guessing this is the better option in the long run but i am not sure of what cpu i should go for. my motherboard supports amd phenom / athlon series processors and has support for socket am3 / am2+ / am2 processors.

i was looking at the phenom 2 x4 black editions, maybe this but is there better, is this suitable etc?

So, should I overclock, buy a new one?

Thanks all

 

[Footyslayer]

Phenom II X6 1100T 'Black Edition' (3.3GHz, 125W, 3MB total dedicated L2 cache, 6MB L3 cache, 4000MHz HyperTransport™ bus, socket AM3)

or

Phenom II X4 970 'Black Edition' (3.5GHz, 125W, 2MB total dedicated L2 cache, 6MB L3 cache, 4000MHz HyperTransport™ bus, socket AM3)

I see the Phenom II x4 has a higher GHz but the Phenom II X6 1100T has more cores. I am happy to get whichever is better, I apologise for being a n00b here but the fact the Phenom II X6 1100T has 6 cores but less GHz still makes it a better option?

 

[Footyslayer]

I am actually really struggling to find a Phenom II X6 1100T Black Edition 3.3GHz anywhere online too

Although the AMD Phenom II X6 1090T Black Edition 3.2GHz is available strangely!

 

[Footyslayer]

Hey all,

firstly that PSU I believe to be fine, I have been running it for a few years now. Here is a better google search CLICK ME

Humbug - I am happy to overclock the current proccessor if you can get me through it, worst case scenario I'll buy the best I can for this motherboard as I don't really want to do too much more, I just want more out of this PC and for it to last about another 2 years. It does play all current games on recommended settings.

Here is a picture of the area of the BIOS you want info on too

 

[Footyslayer]

Alight i can see what you need to do there, i will write out some instructions for you tomorrow.

Thank you ever so much

 

[Footyslayer]

Thanks for that

However it seems my processor is overheating within 5 seconds!!! Here is a picture or two of the tower setup...

Also here is the test...

So based on that what are my options?

Ideally in about 2 years I will completely overhaul. For now I'd like to just make this tower have a bit more ooommppphhh. Maybe by spending £100 if needed. If I can overclock this processor and by getting away with a better heatsink or something that would be ideal. Worst case I buy the Phenom II X4 970 'Black Edition' with a heatsink and overclock that.

But if you know how I can stop this proccessor hitting those temps and I can overclock I would appreciate that, I am very grateful for your time

 

[Footyslayer]

I dont use CPU ID because oddly, it says [TRIAL] over the temps since i got windows 8

It looks like your hitting near your temperature limit. Lowering the Vcore a bit will drop the temps but the over clock wont be as stable, so you may need to drop the multiplier a bit if it isnt stable. A better air cooler isn't expensive and can prove to be useful still when you decide to upgrade everything else if you choose one that fits a variety of sockets(yours looks like the stock cooler, i cant tell because my phenom has so much dust on the heat sink it would be a health hazard if i opened up my case to have a look)

I see your multiplier is still x14 in your screenshot, did you find where to increase it or it still just showing a max of x14?

In my opinion, if you can afford it, i would get a new MOBO, RAM and CPU. Because DDR2 RAM is harder to find now, you might even get a decent buyer for it.

I can't increase it from x14, that is it's maximum!

I am pondering an overclocked bundle based on all this.

Its right on the limit, those stock coolers are completely useless.

Before spending money on a new cooler lets see if you can actually overclock with the Motherboard.

In the BIOS where it says "CPU Frequancy Mhz" set it to 21, (which should be 210Mhz)

Where it says "memory clock" set it to 333Mhz, you might have to do that in "DRAM Configuration" and / or set "set memory clock" to manual, i cant tell from that picture...

"system voltage control" set to manual and then CPU Vcore to 1.3600v, you might have to set "CPU voltage control" to manual.

If you have managed to do all that save it and boot into windows, open CPU-Z like pictured and show me what it says.

(You can open 2 CPU-Z at once, select memory tab on the second)

It does appear to have worked, temperatures are up though!

The stock fan should be doing better than that. My phenom's with stock fan never ran that hot. Might be worth taking heatsink off, cleaning the dust, clean the TIC off and apply new one. Sometimes that is all that takes to drop 10+ degree's

Yeah I guess the stock fan should be better, a little disappointed with that. Cleaning it is an option.

Anyway...

After all this info and ideas thrown at me I am pondering buying an overclocked bundle. I suppose I can overclock this with a better heatsink but I could just bite the bullet and but a new PSU and overclocked bundle. I'd like to be able to play games on very high - medium settings for the next 2-3 years, is this ideal?

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=BU-116-OE&groupid=43&catid=2384&subcat=

Overall thoughts on these options and the current overclock / overheat please

 

[Footyslayer]

The overall cost there is very good, however personally I feel that by buying the bundle where it is already built and overclocked is worth a little more. I'd rather have it done properly and pay a little more. It's just my preference I guess, I don't have faith in myself to not bugger up building it and overclocking it.

The overclocked bundle I have linked to, that will surely get me through 3 years of gaming? I'm not worried about the slightly better spec CPU if the bundle I link to is good enough, I understand what you recommend is better for someone comfortablt with their own building skills, I am not however

How do I know the overall height of the heatsink? By case width is 200mm

 

[Footyslayer]

Yes of course I am open to intel, I just stuck with AMD as I knew it. My graphics card being an ATI Radeon will work perfectly won't it? I know many people with intel who use nvidea.

Slight query on the i5 though, it's overclocked to 4.00ghz where as the bulldozer is 4.40ghz. Performance wise what difference is there?

There is this also...

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=BU-149-OE&groupid=43&catid=2384&subcat=2288

 

[Footyslayer]

ATI (AMD) + AMD + Intel + Nvidia it makes no difference what so ever

Intel have a good deal higher IPC (performance per clock in normal terms) than AMD, @ 4Ghz it will out perform Bulldozer @ 4.4Ghz easily.

The last Bundle you have there, yes that a nice rig that one.

Brilliant!

What PSU would you recommend with that bundle?

Also probably a n00b question but it says "plug and play". Once it is in and I boot up will it need windows reformatting or should it pick up my hard drive and windows installation and boot with all my data?

 

[Footyslayer]

The XFX 550 Watt i linked earlier.

You will need to format and put a fresh instolation of Windows on it as its a completely different system and will require different drivers from the operating system and the Motherboard Driver CD, which you should get with it. (The Driver CD, not the OS)

"plug and play" is just a term they use to say its ready made, it will come pre-built and you just screw it in your case, plug it all in and.....

You still need to install all the software and OS.

Oh, and you still need to ask about the hight of the cooler for your case, as it also looks pretty big to me.

Ok so what do they mean by...

Prebuilt and configured

Please note that adding in additional memory to the spare slots will require new BIOS settings and the maximum clock speed attainable may be significantly reduced. OcUK recommend a quality brand PSU for use with all our bundles such as the Corsair TX & HX range. Updating the BIOS on the overclocked bundle range will void the warranty on the overclock. If you update the BIOS we will no longer be able to provide support for configuring and maintaining the CPU overclock.

Basically I need to boot up, install Windows and update drivers? Sorry to be a complete novice here!

 

[Footyslayer]

Well after a lot of learning and fantastic advice I have ordered the Z77 Gamer Intel Core i5 3570K 3.40GHz @ 4.50GHz DDR3 Ivybridge Overclocked Bundle.

I also ordered the Corsair Enthusiast Series TX 750W V2 High Performance '80 Plus Bronze' Power Supply which might be overkill but it gives me plenty of power for possible future upgrades.

Also lastly I will need to format my hard drive as I have ordered a Samsung 250GB SSD 840 SATA 6Gb/s Desktop and Notebook Kit.

Thank you to everyone who has helped and a big thank you to Humbug!

 

[Footyslayer]

Hi again everyone, all my bits are here and I am currently building!

Query on the power connections on my mobo. It has the 24 pin connection and a 4 pin connection. As it is an overclocked system does it require both to be plugged in? Also if it does my PSU only has an 8 pin connection so can that be connected with the 4 pins left redundant on the side?

Thanks

 

[Footyslayer]

Actually scrap that, I see the 8 pins split into 4 on my PSU.

However do the 8pin and 24 pin need connecting?