How should I upgrade?

[OutOfFaze]

Sorry if this is in the wrong area, but since it's the CPU I want to upgrade I figured it pop this in here.

Got a PC In mid-2007:

Asus M2N E SLi
AMD X2 3800+ (AM2)
2GHz Corsair DDR2
8800 GTS 640MB PCIe

My reasoning was, I wanted the best graphics card I could in my budget and I figured AM2 socket would leave me a bit of room for upgrading. Should I ever fall behind to far in terms of graphics power, I can always get myself another 8800 GTS on the cheap for a quick boost.

It's now time for upgrading the CPU (and possibly Mboard, RAM), so I was hoping I could have some suggestions as to what I can get. I have a limited budget as I decided to go back to Uni this year, though I should be getting a tasty tax rebate on top of Christmas money.

I guess my options are:

1) Upgrade to best possible AM2 CPU
2) Upgrade Mobo, CPU and RAM

Thanks for any advice. Cheers.

 

[Pneumonic]

I would wait and see how the new AMD CPU perform (will be after christmas)

 

[hp7909]

Whats your budget?

How about: X2 6000 + ATI 4850 (about £200)? You can sell the X2 3800+ & GTS

 

[OutOfFaze]

Whats your budget?

How about: X2 6000 + ATI 4850 (about £200)? You can sell the X2 3800+ & GTS

I couldn't give you an accurate budget at the minute, because there are so many variables. I would think between £100 and £150

I'll probably leave the Graphics card for now. It's still a good card, not the best, but still good.

I would wait and see how the new AMD CPU perform (will be after christmas)

It would be after Xmas anyway. Out of interest, what chips are these? Are they simply faster Phenom CPUs or a new type all together? Is there any info I can have a look at?

Also, this may seem a bit of a silly question, but can I run an AM2+ CPU on an AM2 Mobo?

Thanks for your suggestions.

 

[EvilOne]

It would be after Xmas anyway. Out of interest, what chips are these? Are they simply faster Phenom CPUs or a new type all together?

They are 45nm versions of phenoms, with improved design. They in theory outperform intel 45nm core2 chips, but till the NDA is lifted nothing is 100% sure.

 

[hp7909]

Phenom II & possible price drops

Yes you can run some Phenoms on AM2 mobos, though not at HT3.0 speeds. Also compatibility issues therefore double check. Some boards all you might need is a BIOS update

 

[FRS2462]

Like has already been said I would wait to see what happens with the new Phenom 2 CPU's. There is no point in changing a 8800GTS for a 4850. The performance increase will be tiny if anything at all. You could have a go at overclocking your current system, just to make it last a bit longer.

 

[jak731]

while RAM is still reasonably cheap why not pick up another 2GB?

 

[OutOfFaze]

while RAM is still reasonably cheap why not pick up another 2GB?

I think I might just do that.

Thanks for all your replies. I'm going to wait for info on these new Phenoms, then hopefully upgrade to one of them at the start of next year. Cheers.

 

[PwnDirect]

Wait for phenem II