Help Buying a New AMD

[tommcq]

Hello
I am about to buy a new AMD. Things I do mostly are gaming, such as Crysis etc. and Emulation ( working on getting a good build to emulate PS2 so I need a really good processor for the job) and I should also mention that I use Windows Vista

Which of these processors do you think would benefit me the most?
AMD Athlon 64 X2 6400+
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...778&CatId=2328

or the

AMD Phenom X3 8650
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...670&CatId=3681


Also I have a 2nd question. I currently have an AMD Athlon X2 5600+ would buying either of these show an improvement in performance that's worth close to $200?

Thanks in advance for any help :-D

[Monty007]

Hi, before you start, I have been an AMD user all my life BUT I am now thinking of upgrading to Intel. I would not recommend AMD for new gaming PC.
If you are updating your CPU I doubt if the Phenom is compatible with your M/B. So the 6400 may be your only option (check out your M/B details first)
AMD 6400 specs http://products.amd.com/en-us/Deskto...000&f10=False&

Intel 8400 http://www.intel.com/en_AP/Consumer/...ap+c2d_desktop (click on processor details)

The Intel has a 6meg L2 cache and the AMD 6400 has only 1meg L2 Cache.

My PC specs are AMD 6000, 2 gig 800ram, 1 gig GT 800 over clocked, 750w PSU, Gigabyte MB, Vista Ulitame.
Crysis runs at 40-42 fps in only medium settings and I know my system is bottle necked because of the AMD6000.
Just thought I would warn you first.

[tommcq]

yeah I would probably go with Intel, but I am just upgrading the processor. the Phenom is compatible because all AM2+ sockets are backwards compatible with AM2 sockets and forwards too. If you use the Phenom in an AM2 socket it won't get HT3.0, just HT2.0 but I'm 99% sure my socket is AM2+ anyways.

So many people are telling me Intel is way better now that I'm wondering if I should just get a new mobo and processor.. way too much trouble though.

[tommcq]

If I did get an Intel I would have to get a new Motherboard. How does this combo mobo/cpu look to you? Is it alot better than my AMD Athlon X2 5600+ and the previously mentioned upgrades?

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...IN#detailspecs

P.S. how do I know if this motherboard is PCI-E 2.0? I have the BFG Geforce 8800 GT OC2 and it's PCI-E 2.0 and right now I'm running it in a 1.1 slot (I think, but I know it's not 2.0) so I'm missing out on a lot of speed. Is this motherboard 2.0?

thanks again for the continued help

[Monty007]

Hi, I would also have a look at a Gigabyte combo.