Best AM2/AM2+ CPU?

[OKAMISC]

Hi,

I've recently became a PC gamer (YAY!) after playing playstation all my life (literally since i was 4, now 23). I started back in February because I wanted to play Overwatch. So I bootcamped my 2012 iMac and got REALLY good result out of it. I was able to get frames in game between 115-150 while playing. The specs were:

intel core i5
2.7GHz
8GB RAM
400GB HDD (Partitioned)
Nvidia GeForce GT 640M GPU
Windows 1064-bit (bootcamped)

My GF complained thatI use the Mac for only gaming so I should just get a gaming PC. But, I'm a college student, in my 20's so my budget is fairly low. I was able to get this custom built PC from a guy for a mere trade of a Toshiba satellite laptop (that was collecting dust). The specs of this "new" PC are:

Foxconn A7GM-s 2.0 Motherboard
AMD Phenom 9950 Quad-Core
2.6GHz
4GB RAM
500GB HD
Nvidia GeForce GT 730(it originally had a GTX 260)
Windows 10 64-bit

But with the GT 730, im not getting that high FPS like on my iMac (bootcamped). I get 115 when no action is going on then it drops to 50 FPS when everyone starts to fight (Overwatch). I assumed that because the 730 had a higher number than the 640M it would do just as good or better. But I was wrong.

So my dilemma is that I want to upgrade without spending a crap ton of money. I'm currently trying to find GTX 750ti's - GTX1060 for cheap prices on craigslist and offer up, and I've ordered more RAM (2x2GB ddr2) but I was looking online for a better CPU. I really want to know what's better than what I have now that is AM2+/AM2, but the only thing I'm seeing is compatibility list's of AM2/AM2+ socket CPU's.

So' I guess what I really want to know is:
What AM2/AM2+ socket CPUs out there are better than the AMD Phenom 9950 Quad-Core?
Is my current CPU fine?
Should I just upgrade my GPU?
Would adding more RAM help increase my FPS?
Would RAM + GPU upgrade help increase FPS?
Should I just upgrade the entire Motherboard to get intel (i3,i5, i7) ?

Thank you in advance for the advice and suggestions.

 

[urbancamper]

The AM2+ platform is 11 years old. There is just no way it can keep up with the games out there today. Also I would assume you are playing on the very lowest settings available. That video card is is a GT series. They are mostly used in office settings. You would need a GTX card. Yes you could buy a better video card. This would increase your fps slightly. However no matter what you bought the cpu, motherboard and that ddr2 memory would be a huge bottleneck to it.

I am sorry to say you really should try to put together a better rig.

 

[OKAMISC]

The AM2+ platform is 11 years old. There is just no way it can keep up with the games out there today. Also I would assume you are playing on the very lowest settings available. That video card is is a GT series. They are mostly used in office settings. You would need a GTX card. Yes you could buy a better video card. This would increase your fps slightly. However no matter what you bought the cpu, motherboard and that ddr2 memory would be a huge bottleneck to it.

I am sorry to say you really should try to put together a better rig.

Ok, thanks for the info... I just looked into it and the AMD Phenom 9950 Quad-Core was released 2008... I think im gonna look into an AMD that was released in 2010-2012... something inexpensive hopefully

 

[urbancamper]

This is a suggestion. This setup i am showing you is around 400 dollars. While it is not the most powerful around. it will run rings around what you have now. Plus it is easy to upgrade when you have more money.
CPU: https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819113437&ignorebbr=1
MB: https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157763&ignorebbr=1
Memory: https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820232502&ignorebbr=1
GPU: https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814137057&ignorebbr=1

I know you said a 1060 but even with this 1050 you will get more fps with this setup then you would by putting a 1060 on that 11 year old setup.

Of course this would only be if you could afford to buy this. It is around 414 with shipping. The cpu comes with a heatsink. You maybe would have to buy a new power supply also since the motherboard has 8 pins and i am pretty sure the one you have is only 4 pins. But since this is a low power draw setup you would be able to get away with a 350w psu

 

[maikutech]

I agree with urbancamper, just looking at the parts makes me drool abit, however if you are tight on money for the moment.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B00CLBZAHY/ref=sr_1_4_olp?ie=UTF8&qid=1493961248&sr=8-4&keywords=am3%2B+cpu+fx6350&condition=used

https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B01AIZXZHQ/ref=sr_1_1_olp?ie=UTF8&qid=1493961279&sr=8-1&keywords=am3%2B+asrock&condition=used

https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B00IDG3PRI/ref=sr_1_3_olp?ie=UTF8&qid=1493961402&sr=8-3&keywords=gtx+750+ti+4gb&condition=used

Those 3 combined would run you about 300.00 even, so you can go am4 which is better or go am3 for now and go am4 early next year.

 

[urbancamper]

Your forgetting that ddr2 memory won't fit on that mb. Though it is pretty cheap and would only add about 20 bucks to your build. So he would also have to buy memory also. Better to get the am4 socket. Heck he could save enough to eventually buy an 8 core 16 thread cpu on it.

 

[maikutech]

No I am not I trust the op enough to be able to read the mobo specs and see that it needs ddr3 and get his own.
Check out newegg ddr3 ram list, for the time being there low depending on the size and speed.
Now if you want to get him a 6 core you show him this and tell him make a plan or buy certain parts for now and come back for the rest later.

https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819113435
Although I haven't seen this perform yet but that would do for gaming and whatever else he does on the sidelines.

 

[OKAMISC]

Ok, thanks for the input guys. I think I am going to upgrade my Mobo and CPU.. Just got a GTX 95- sc for $65 in good condition. BUT... I have one last question....

I've been researching and I see that if i upgrade my mobo and cpu i need a new hard drive or SSD... Is this true?

 

[OKAMISC]

MERGED QUESTION
Question from OKAMISC : "What Should I do?"

Hi,

I've recently became a PC gamer (YAY!) after playing playstation all my life (literally since i was 4, now 23). I started back in February because I wanted to play Overwatch. So I bootcamped my 2012 iMac and got REALLY good result out of it. I was able to get frames in game between 115-150 while playing. The specs were:

intel core i5
2.7GHz
8GB RAM
400GB HDD (Partitioned)
Nvidia GeForce GT 640M GPU
Windows 1064-bit (bootcamped)

My GF complained thatI use the Mac for only gaming so I should just get a gaming PC. But, I'm a college student, in my 20's so my budget is fairly low. I was able to get this custom built PC from a guy for a mere trade of a Toshiba satellite laptop (that was collecting dust). The specs of this "new" PC are:

Foxconn A7GM-s 2.0 Motherboard
AMD Phenom 9950 Quad-Core
2.6GHz
4GB RAM
500GB HD
Nvidia GeForce GT 730(it originally had a GTX 260)
Windows 10 64-bit

But with the GT 730, im not getting that high FPS like on my iMac (bootcamped). I get 115 when no action is going on then it drops to 50 FPS when everyone starts to fight (Overwatch). I assumed that because the 730 had a higher number than the 640M it would do just as good or better. But I was wrong.

So my dilemma is that I want to upgrade without spending a crap ton of money. I'm currently trying to find GTX 750ti's - GTX1060 for cheap prices on craigslist and offer up, and I've ordered more RAM (2x2GB ddr2) but I was looking online for a better CPU. I really want to know what's better than what I have now that is AM2+/AM2, but the only thing I'm seeing is compatibility list's of AM2/AM2+ socket CPU's.

So' I guess what I really want to know is:
What AM2/AM2+ socket CPUs out there are better than the AMD Phenom 9950 Quad-Core?
Is my current CPU fine?
Should I just upgrade my GPU?
Would adding more RAM help increase my FPS?
Would RAM + GPU upgrade help increase FPS?
Should I just upgrade the entire Motherboard to get intel (i3,i5, i7) ?

Thank you in advance for the advice and suggestions.

You need to upgrade both CPU and GPU if you want 100+fps in overwatch. Those i5's that come with the imac's are power houses. Especially for games, I don't know much about the AM2/AM2+ socket but i can deffintely tell you which GPU will be best if you tell me what resolution you are playing at

You need to upgrade both CPU and GPU if you want 100+fps in overwatch. Those i5's that come with the imac's are power houses. Especially for games, I don't know much about the AM2/AM2+ socket but i can deffintely tell you which GPU will be best if you tell me what resolution you are playing at

Display resolution 1920x1080
In game resolution 1600x900

You will be able to play at 1080p really nice with a 1060 6gb!

Considering the age of the system, and that you're using a GT 730, and are talking about framerate 'drops' to 50fps, I think you might only be happy with a new system. I think with the right videocard, you would be doing well to be at 60fps at 1080p and medium to high settings on Overwatch.

From what I see, you could use something like a Phenom II X4 975 or 955 with that motherhoard, but I don't think it's worth it for you. That's not going to get you to the 100+fps that you seem to want. If it were me I'd buy a used GTX 660 or 750 Ti, whichever is cheaper and that my power supply supports, and be happy with full 1080p performance in Overwatch with those cards.

Otherwise you're looking at a new system. You'd need the motherboard, ram, and CPU, plus the videocard. That's more than a simple upgrade.

IF you were to build a new system... what is the maximum budget you can afford?
- what is the power supply unit's watt rating with what you have now?

Ok, thanks for the input guys. I think I am going to upgrade my Mobo and CPU.. Just got a GTX 95- sc for $65 in good condition. BUT... I have one last question....

I've been researching and I see that if i upgrade my mobo and cpu i need a new hard drive or SSD... Is this true?

 

[maikutech]

Long as your current hard drives has sata connectors no you don't, if it is a ide hard drive/cd-dvd rom drive yes you will.
You can check amazon.com for a sata connectors as newegg nor amazon.com will include any in the box.

 

[OKAMISC]

Long as your current hard drives has sata connectors no you don't, if it is a ide hard drive/cd-dvd rom drive yes you will.
You can check amazon.com for a sata connectors as newegg nor amazon.com will include any in the box.

It is SATA. I was curious beacuse when i would compare builds on Userbenchmark.com it would say my HDD wasnt compatible with the mobo i chose

 

[maikutech]

Show me a screenshot of what your talking about, if the hard drive is working on the mobo don't believe them.
This is for you to read up on, currently sata 3 is the standard for most newer hard drives.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serial_ATA

 

[OKAMISC]

Thanks to everyone who came to this post and gave me some advice. I have decided to upgrade to a:

Gigabyte GA-890GPA-UD3H
16GB DDR3 RAM
AMD Phenom II x6 1055T
275GB SSD