Is it worth upgrading?

[cheapgoose]

So I'm running a BE-2300 on a M2A_VM @ 2.1. with 2 gb of ram.

It would cost me about $120 shipped for 2x2gb of ram and a Biostar TF560 mobo. Assuming I can overclock the cpu to about 3 or 3.1. Will I see a significant improvement on performance.

I don't do anything that requires a fast pc but I do plan on doing more work from home which requires running Wildfire 4.0 and Solidworks. Would also like to do more video encoding. I finally have a cell phone I can watch videos on.

edit: you see what happens when you start reading Anandtech? Now I'm thinking about a Biostar TForce TA790GX. it's only about $20 more than TF560at ewiz. 2x2gb of OCZ Reaper ram at Newegg.

Can someone comment on any of the above? Eventually I would want to go quad core and I don't think the TF560 is compatible.

 

[rogue1979]

I bought a BIOSTAR MCP6P-M2 from mwave for $43.

Overclocked a BE-2350 to 3GHz with 1.37v and not much effort.

It had every overclocking feature imaginable.

 

[myocardia]

Well, you'll get close to a 50% performance boost. If that's worth ~$120 to you, then it's worth it. BTW, you'll need an aftermarket CPU heatsink, also. Oh, and Wildfire and Solidworks can use all of the processor you can supply them with.

 

[cheapgoose]

Originally posted by: myocardia
Well, you'll get close to a 50% performance boost. If that's worth ~$120 to you, then it's worth it. BTW, you'll need an aftermarket CPU heatsink, also. Oh, and Wildfire and Solidworks can use all of the processor you can supply them with.

Thanks...I have a Thermalright Ultra120 extreme, it's a monster, I should be ok. I guess I'm just not sure on exactly what 50% performance boost actually means?

 

[soccerballtux]

Wait why can't you overclock currently? I thought black editions had unlocked multis?

 

[cheapgoose]

Originally posted by: soccerballtux
Wait why can't you overclock currently? I thought black editions had unlocked multis?

motherboard is solid but doesn't OC worth crap.

 

[myocardia]

Originally posted by: soccerballtux
Wait why can't you overclock currently? I thought black editions had unlocked multis?

Black Editions have unlocked multis, but he doesn't have a Black Edition. He has the "other" AMD BE, which is the low power (45 watt) version.

 

[cheapgoose]

you see what happens when you start reading Anandtech? Now I'm thinking about a Biostar TForce TA790GX. it's only about $20 more than TF560at ewiz. 2x2gb of OCZ Reaper ram at Newegg.

Can someone comment on any of the above? Eventually I would want to go quad core and I don't think the TF560 is compatible.

 

[cusideabelincoln]

The TF560 is compatible, but I believe you will be limited to a lower HT link. If you are certain you will be getting a Phenom at some point, then definitely get an AM2+ board and not a regular AM2 board.