Should I upgrade and if so what to?

[avrc]

The reason I'm asking is that my system is starting to struggle with games on higher settings. For example I'd like to play BFBC2 on the highest settings and Civ 5 verges on unplayable as the game progresses. Also my sons machine is much, much older so if I upgraded I would put my components in his machine to keep him going for a little longer.

I mostly use my machine for gaming and blu-ray movies.

Current spec:
Phenom II 720 X3 core clocked to 3.4GHz
8GB (4x 2GB 800Mhz OCZ Gold)
Gigabyte GA-MA770-DS3 Board
GFX is currently a 896MB 260GTX but I have asked for a 1GB 460GTX for Xmas
X-Fi Xtreme Gamer sound
500GB WD Caviar Black
Samsung Blu-ray player
Powered by a 750watt PC Power & Cooling PSU
Housed in a HAF 932
Packard Bell 24" 1920x1080

I was thinking about the following upgrades. Prices are just a guide as I know VAT is increasing and prices naturally go up and down.

Asus Crosshair IV Formula AMD 890FX (Socket AM3) DDR3 Motherboard
£169.99

Corsair XMS3 4GB (2x2GB) DDR3 PC3-16000C9 2000MHz Dual-Channel Kit
£99.99

AMD Phenom II X6 Six Core 1055T 2.80GHz (hopefully clocking to 3.8)
£149.99

Corsair Hydro H70 High-Performance CPU WaterCooler
£79.99

What do you think? Is there a better upgrade option? Will I actually see any immediate difference anywhere?

 

[mp260767]

have a look at the Gigabyte GA-890GPA-UD3H AMD 890GX mobo.

processor wise maybe look at the AMD Phenom II X4 Quad Core 965 Black Edition "125W Edition" 3.40GHz.

if you want a cooler either go for the h50 and get a couple of the viper fans for it or a Prolimatech Megahalems with vipers if it will fit in your case.

 

[avrc]

Why a quad core over a 6 core?

 

[avrc]

ok having looked at some reviews it looks like a 6 core will give me no gaming benefit over a 4 core but it also seems I'd be better moving to intel.

So I guess what I need to know now is do I look at i5 or i7?

Price wise an i5 bundle is obviously better on the pocket but how would it compare to my current Phenom X3?

Looking at this bundle: Radon Intel Core i5 760 2.80GHz @ 4.00GHz Overclocked Bundle - Gigabyte £389.99 at current prices.

Bundle Specification
- CPU: Intel Core i5 760 2.80GHz @ 4.00GHz
- Motherboard: Gigabyte P55-USB3 Intel P55 (Socket 1156) DDR3 Motherboard
- RAM: Corsair Dominator 4GB (2x2GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C9 1600MHz Dual Channel
- Cooler: Corsair A50 CPU Cooler
- Artic Silver 5 Thermal Compound

or the i7 bundle

Krypton Intel Core i7 950 3.06GHz @ 4.00GHz USB3 Overclocked Bundle £549.99 at current prices.

Bundle Specification
- CPU: Intel Core i7 950 3.06GHz @ 4.00GHz
- Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-X58-USB3 (Socket 1366) DDR3 Motherboard
- RAM: Corsair XMS3 (3x2GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C9 1600MHz Triple Channel
- Cooler: Akasa Nero S CPU Cooler
- Artic Cooling MX-3 Thermal Compound

 

[mp260767]

i'd go for the i5 quad core over the i7, gaming wise there is next to no difference.

six core was purely for the extra core if you planned to keep the system for a while.

 

[Redmint]

Silly question, but have you tried unlocking your X3 chip?

Also might be worth waiting for after xmas and see what the 1155 Intel SB chips are like.

 

[Liampope]

To be honest, you'd be better still waiting for Sandy Bridge in January. But if not an i5 clocked to 4GHz will crunch Civ5 as well as anything else currently can.

 

[avrc]

Silly question, but have you tried unlocking your X3 chip?

Also might be worth waiting for after xmas and see what the 1155 Intel SB chips are like.

There's no ACC option for trying to unlock the extra core on my motherboard.

I wouldn't be buying until the new year anyway so I can wait and see what Sandy Bridge brings.