CPU Upgrade.

[choliscott]

Hi Everyone, I just wanted to get some opinions on what I was planning on doing.

Ok I have 2 computers that I think of replacing the board/cpu. The 1st machine has a AMD FX 6100 with a 6850 Graphics card. The main purpose of this machine is to play games (stuff like WOW, etc). The 2nd machine has an AMD X4 640 & is Media server, play on the internet, & Computer backup. This machine uses onboard video.

The 6100 is used by a teenager & they have been wanting to play more "graphic" recently, but has complained that it seems slow at times. Fry's this weekend had a I5 2400 that I picked up for $118 (I'm not planning on OC these 2 machines).

From what I've read the 2400 is better for gaming then the 6100. My plan was to swap out the 6100 with the 2400 & to replace the 640 with the 6100. I was also planning on adding an SSD to the machine that I would put the 2400 into.

A couple of questions I had:

1) I'm assuming that the 6100 would be an upgrade to the 640? While for what I mentioned, it probably doesn't need to be upgraded, but my thought was if I have it, why not use it.

2) Should I do something different to the gaming machine, then what I am thinking about doing? I know some people might say to just OC it, but I am hesitant since the area that setup is in gets fairly warm.

Thanks

 

[Plimogz]

With regards to the gaming machine, it would be useful to know what games, resolution and settings they're using. Although for WoW, the 2400 will be a marked improvement regardless. A 6850 is pretty easy to bog down if you turn up settings heedlessly.

 

[choliscott]

A couple of examples would be WOW, & Mass Effect 3. Both at default settings. Resolution is 1920 x 1080.

I should add that I'm not too concerned with I can't have everything cranked up to "Max". I would be more concerned with the graphics look fairly decent while the game not "studdering" (hopefully that makes sense)

With regards to the gaming machine, it would be useful to know what games, resolution and settings they're using. Although for WoW, the 2400 will be a marked improvement regardless.

 

[ShadowVVL]

The 2400 and the 6850 should be ok.

I would think the 6100 would be an upgrade to the 640 but I don't know I the fx chips are better then athlon II in media servers.

 

[jimpz]

Just as a note, since I see no mention of it, you'll need a new motherboard for the Intel i2400, they are not interchangeable w/ AMD's.

Jim

 

[choliscott]

You're right. I actually already had that in the back of mind. I found an H77 board at newegg for $70, but still looking before I decide to pull the trigger. I do like the 6 sata ports

Just as a note, since I see no mention of it, you'll need a new motherboard for the Intel i2400, they are not interchangeable w/ AMD's.

Jim

 

[Durvelle27]

yes the 6100 would be an upgrade to the 640 but i would oc it if i were you if easy and can be done on stock and pair it with a HD 6870 ?

 

[dave_the_nerd]

I wouldn't bother replacing the 640 with the 6100. It's an upgrade but not much of one. Better off selling the 6100 / mobo to offset the cost of the 2400 / mobo.

The 2400 + 6850 should be plenty to run most games at 1080 and medium settings - provided it's a 2GB card (1GB can be cramped depending on the game.)

What are the other specs of the gaming system? (HDD type and model, amount of RAM, etc.)

 

[bbhaag]

Will you need to upgrade the MB in the AMD x4 640 machine if you decide the use the FX 6100 as an upgrade? Isn't the 640 an AM3 socket and the 6100 is AM3+.
I thought AM3 and AM3+ weren't interchangeable I could be wrong though.

 

[Durvelle27]

Will you need to upgrade the MB in the AMD x4 640 machine if you decide the use the FX 6100 as an upgrade? Isn't the 640 an AM3 socket and the 6100 is AM3+.
I thought AM3 and AM3+ weren't interchangeable I could be wrong though.

AM3 can be used in an AM3+ board and some AM3 boards allow AM3+ cpus but not all boards ?

 

[ShintaiDK]

AM3 socket supports AM3 CPUs only
AM3+ socket supports AM3 and AM3+ CPUs

Tho posted by the "IPC will increase" guy.

But seems some mobo makers got it to work anyway.

 

[choliscott]

The MB is a MSI 760GM-P21 & has 8 gig Kingston 1600 HyperX DDR3.

Hard drives is a 1 TB Samsung 7200 RPM & a Seagate 500 GB 7200 RPM (Don't have the exact model #'s handy)

I wouldn't bother replacing the 640 with the 6100. It's an upgrade but not much of one. Better off selling the 6100 / mobo to offset the cost of the 2400 / mobo.

The 2400 + 6850 should be plenty to run most games at 1080 and medium settings - provided it's a 2GB card (1GB can be cramped depending on the game.)

What are the other specs of the gaming system? (HDD type and model, amount of RAM, etc.)

 

[Durvelle27]

The MB is a MSI 760GM-P21 & has 8 gig Kingston 1600 HyperX DDR3.

Hard drives is a 1 TB Samsung 7200 RPM & a Seagate 500 GB 7200 RPM (Don't have the exact model #'s handy)

wow i have the same board and i love it especially since it was so cheap and i can oc my cpu like crazy ?

 

[choliscott]

How high were you able to get your OC, just by cranking up the multiplier?

wow i have the same board and i love it especially since it was so cheap and i can oc my cpu like crazy ?

 

[Durvelle27]

How high were you able to get your OC, just by cranking up the multiplier?

4.6GHz but i lowered it as i'm still on stock cooling and yes raised the multiplier and NB ?

 

[Denithor]

If the X4 is being used in a media server/internet machine I'd honestly suggest sticking with that chip. It's going to be a bit slower but also use considerably less power. And there's better resale value to be had from the FX chip + motherboard.