Downgrading from a Quad to a Dual?

[davidy613]

Just as the title says.

I'm planning on upgrading my computer in a few months and I've been wondering
if it is better to downgrade my quad to a faster dual core.

I have a Phenom 9500 (2.2 ghz).

If I were to get a quad core, should I invest in one of the AMD Phenom II X4 9xx?

Or if I were to get a dual core, should I get an AMD Phenom II X2 550 Black Edition, or an
AMD Athlon II X2 250.
I've read reviews for both of them on Newegg, and they seem equal to me.

I usually game, but I also burn discs and use my AutoCAD program.
The AutoCAD sort of runs choppy and sluggish on my current 9500.

Facts, opinions, and suggestions are much welcome.

Thanks.

(Also my budget is around $100 for a processor)

(Another also: I'm not too familiar with overclocking and the whole process so I may not
overclock it. But I am willing to learn. I've read the guide here on the forums and its just
too complicated for me).

 

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

955

 

[Idontcare]

Originally posted by: davidy613
Joined: 07/27/2009

Welcome to the forums :beer:

Originally posted by: davidy613
I'm planning on upgrading my computer in a few months and I've been wondering
if it is better to downgrade my quad to a faster dual core.

It all depends on the specific applications you are using as to whether or not a higher-clocked dual-core will actually result in higher performance for you than a lower-clocked quadcore.

How Many CPU Cores Do You Need?

Originally posted by: davidy613
I've read reviews for both of them on Newegg, and they seem equal to me.

The last place on earth you should be taking opinions from is the newegg customer reviews, truly just a dreadful dreadful place from which to form opinions on how to make your purchasing decisions.

You did the right thing by asking here in a CPU forum, also definitely read the X2, X3, and X4 cpu reviews at Anandtech and Tomshardware to get a better "data based" impression of how these various chips compare to each other in the differing application classes.

Originally posted by: davidy613
I usually game, but I also burn discs and use my AutoCAD program.
The AutoCAD sort of runs choppy and sluggish on my current 9500.

Autocad running choppy can actually be a symptom whose root-cause can come from any number of anemic hardware conditions. CPU is one of those possible root-causes, but so too is having too little system ram, underpowered GPU (to little GDDR), as well as too slow of a harddrive setup if you are dealing with large files that are caching a lot in the background.

To confirm that the root-cause of your autocad choppiness is really your CPU (and thus validate the opinion that it needs to be upgraded to eliminate the choppiness) open task manager and set it to display the Performance tab as well as enabling "Always on top" in the Options menu. Now open autocad and do some stuff with your files that you know induces the choppiness you experience.

The question is does the CPU usage history graphs all max out with the cpu pegged at 100% utilization? Or are your hard drives churning and churning, or if you look at the bottom of the task manager window to the box area titled "Physical Memory (K)" do you see a small number listed for the "Available" line (say <100,000)?

Originally posted by: davidy613

(Also my budget is around $100 for a processor)

Guide: Overclocking AMD And Intel CPUs On A Budget

 

[ajaidevsingh]

945 95w
550

or may be a
710

 

[Eureka]

Get a 550 and a good mobo known for unlocking, so you either get a nice powerful dual-core or a nice powerful quad-core.

 

[apoppin]

Originally posted by: davidy613
Just as the title says.

I'm planning on upgrading my computer in a few months and I've been wondering
if it is better to downgrade my quad to a faster dual core.

I have a Phenom 9500 (2.2 ghz).

If I were to get a quad core, should I invest in one of the AMD Phenom II X4 9xx?

Or if I were to get a dual core, should I get an AMD Phenom II X2 550 Black Edition, or an
AMD Athlon II X2 250.
I've read reviews for both of them on Newegg, and they seem equal to me.

I usually game, but I also burn discs and use my AutoCAD program.
The AutoCAD sort of runs choppy and sluggish on my current 9500.

Facts, opinions, and suggestions are much welcome.

Thanks.

(Also my budget is around $100 for a processor)

If your budget is $100, the 720 X3 is the perfect fit. X4 is about $180

i would NOT get a dual core and the Phenom II X2 550 is faster than the Athlon II X2 250 in gaming and both get beaten by the X3

Get a 550 and a good mobo known for unlocking

Unlocking is pure luck .. and very hit or miss; do not buy a Phenom II with any certainty of unlocking - it is just a *bonus* if you get LUCKY

 

[drizek]

Ya, the 720 if that is as much as you can afford. You can easily overclock it to 3.2ghz, and upto 3.8 if you want to have a little fun. What motherboard do you have now? You will very likely be able to just update the CPU without needing to touch anything else. The 720 can potentially be unlocked to a quad core, but if it can't it will be faster than a dual core(which also may or may not unlock). I doubt that your motherboard supports unlocking anyway though, so don't really count on it. Besides, it would be cheaper to just get a quad core than to get a dual core and a new motherboard.

 

[heyheybooboo]

Originally posted by: davidy613 ~~~

Or if I were to get a dual core, should I get an AMD Phenom II X2 550 Black Edition, or an
AMD Athlon II X2 250.
I've read reviews for both of them on Newegg, and they seem equal to me.

I usually game, but I also burn discs and use my AutoCAD program.
The AutoCAD sort of runs choppy and sluggish on my current 9500.

Facts, opinions, and suggestions are much welcome.

Thanks.

(Also my budget is around $100 for a processor)

New Egg Reviews: :thumbsdown: --- Phenom II X2 550 (545?): :thumbsup:


As noted I think your AutoCAD is a memory or disk I/O problem, or possibly a 'video' problem Your 9500 should handle AutoCAD without so much difficulty.

You may be caught up in the move to Direct3D from OpenGL hardware acceleration depending upon your version of AutoCAD - and if you are running Vista there is all kinds of wackiness. Check out some of the Autodesk FAQs to help you with you config.

Gaming is a different matter.

And there are Egg cpu/mobo combos in the $200-$250 range with dual-, trip- and quad-cores in AM2+ and AM3 flavors that should look quite good to yah. How about the Phenom 720BE / Asus 790gx AM3 for $205 or the Phenom II X2 545 / ECS 790gx AM3 for $173 AR ?

 

[davidy613]

Originally posted by: Idontcare
Joined: 07/27/2009

Welcome to the forums :beer:

Thanks

Originally posted by: drizek
Ya, the 720 if that is as much as you can afford. You can easily overclock it to 3.2ghz, and upto 3.8 if you want to have a little fun. What motherboard do you have now? You will very likely be able to just update the CPU without needing to touch anything else. The 720 can potentially be unlocked to a quad core, but if it can't it will be faster than a dual core(which also may or may not unlock). I doubt that your motherboard supports unlocking anyway though, so don't really count on it. Besides, it would be cheaper to just get a quad core than to get a dual core and a new motherboard.

Here is the link to my motherboard:

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfr...&cc=uk&product=3716671

It currently supports AM2 AM2+ but I feel I'm going to need to soon change that.

If your budget is $100, the 720 X3 is the perfect fit. X4 is about $180

Yeah I've read that midrange AMD build here on the website:

http://www.anandtech.com/guides/showdoc.aspx?i=3610&p=4

I believe that is a solid build that I might consider.

Originally posted by: heyheybooboo
You may be caught up in the move to Direct3D from OpenGL hardware acceleration depending upon your version of AutoCAD - and if you are running Vista there is all kinds of wackiness. Check out some of the Autodesk FAQs to help you with you config.

I am running Vista (32) but I don't believe that is the cause.
However when I do run it, all of the cores are over 50%+ and so is my ram >_>