Only a few fps?
I thought the phenom x4 cpus were much better?
The x4 is a marginally better cpu, the l3 cache helps, not massively, not sure why you're linking to non gaming benchmarks considering they are gaming benchmark options on the Anandtech site.
But read an anandtech review, they will specifically state they use lower gpu settings to show the difference between cpu's. In real world situations, at gpu limits, you won't be limited by the cpu.
On anand, look at gaming and Batman or Crysis, a slightly slower tricore at 3Ghz is 20fps behind the X4, at a midrange resolution without top quality settings, this is also 170ish vs 190ish, so you wouldn't even see that difference, but at top settings, the gpu will only be dishing out say 100fps...... something both CPU's can do well in excess of.
In Crysis you get 69.4 or something vs 74fps, again at medium settings, not a particularly big difference at medium settings and at high settings at 30-40fps, both cpu's are MORE than capable of providing the required power.
Games aren't cpu limited in general(2-3 in the past couple years and most of those simply don't need high fps due to being RTS's), so extra cpu power largely goes to waste, for other applications, or running something in the background while gaming, sure, more cpu power can help.
TO the OP, I really wouldn't bother as its essentially a marginal upgrade that will do almost nothing for gaming, at worst save your cash, wait for all the Bulldozer chips to launch, watch mobo/cpu prices come down on older stuff and nab a bargain if you want one. I'm thinking that frankly X6 Phenoms will likely have some epic deals in the next few months to shift remaining stock. Again they won't be massively faster for gaming right now, but in say a year, or maybe 3 years, those extra cores will probably make a significant difference.
Its not really a better option than just waiting till the tricore can't hack it and buying something cheap and new in a year or two.
