• Competitor rules

    Please remember that any mention of competitors, hinting at competitors or offering to provide details of competitors will result in an account suspension. The full rules can be found under the 'Terms and Rules' link in the bottom right corner of your screen. Just don't mention competitors in any way, shape or form and you'll be OK.

Which AMD upgrade?

Associate
Joined
9 Feb 2009
Posts
516
Location
Essex
Hey guys, I have a Gigabyte GA-MA790XT-UD4P motherboard AMD AM3 socket system with a Phenom II X3 720 CPU and was considering an upgrade. However I'm not sure what would be the best choice?

Any help is appreciated.
 
Last edited:
No I haven't tried actually, I've never tried to overclock a CPU before and wouldn't know how

EDIT
After a quick read on how to unlock the 4th core and changing EC firmware to 'Hybrid' and ACC to 'Auto' in the BIOS my CPU is now showing up as Phenom II X4 20 (Deneb)

No clue on how I would overclock though, and am running the CPU on the stock heatsink
 
Last edited:
Have you run some tests to make sure the 4th core is working as it should?
 
Grab LinX, set problem size to 20000, 20 loops, and set it off.

If it passes that you're stable.
 
Downloaded LinX as you said, tried to change problem size to 20000 and says "Not enough physical memory! Values corrected." and changes itself to 18725.
 
Downloaded LinX as you said, tried to change problem size to 20000 and says "Not enough physical memory! Values corrected." and changes itself to 18725.

Free some memory up by closing background applications.

You don't have to run it at 20000 problem size. I always run it at around 18k and 25 loops.
 
Yeah sorry, I've got 8GB so didn't think.

Just bung it on the 2048MB setting and do 25 loops instead. :)
 
Is that the max it gets to under load before it crashes?

I will check voltages on my other rig in a minute and let you know what you should set them to as a starting point.

I just opened LinX and checked CPU-Z to see the v core change to 1.328v, I didn't run until the error appeared again.

Computer doesn't crash or freeze, LinX just stops upon an error
 
Try setting CPU voltage to 1.4V and having another go. Sometimes those unlocked cores just need a bit of oompf to get them stable :D
 
What budget were you thinking?

The guys are quite right to suggest unlocking the extra core and yes sometimes it needs a bit more voltage to get them stable. DOn't go silly though or you could fry the CPU!

Is your CPU a Black Edition? These are the best CPUs for overclocking as you can simply increase the multiplier. If you are serious about overclocking then an aftermarket heatsink would be wise.

http://www.gigabyte.com/support-downloads/cpu-support-popup.aspx?pid=3010

That link shows what CPUs are compatible with your current mobo. If you cant get the core stable, it might be worth looking to get access to the MM on here and look for a 2nd hand 955BE. Overclocked you can get it to roughly 980 spec ;)

If you had a budget in mind we could suggest mobo and CPU upgrades. I'll add another link so you can compare CPUs performance to help you make a decision. The reason I suggested the 2nd hand 955 was, once overclocked it's on par with i3 2100 performance (does use more juice though) but will obviously be cheaper than buying that cpu and a mobo.

http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/83?vs=88
 
There's no point in going from Phenom II X3 720 to an X4 955.

The gains will be likely minimal in most scenarios.

He could either future proof with a hex-core or, more sensibly, overclock his current CPU and change the entire platform when it starts showing its age.

The Phenom II X3 720 is a Black Edition CPU so he only needs to increase the multiplier and vcore.

I would try and get the forth core stable and then start overclocking.
 
Back
Top Bottom