Is it worth the upgrade? Athlon x4 620 to Phenom x4 965 BE

[joepro8011]

I'm trying to get a solid gaming PC. I've had the Athlon for a while but there's always frame dips at medium settings and I'm pretty sure that the CPU is the bottleneck. I was wondering if it was worth upgrading to the phenom for $99. Or pay around 300 for an i5 setup.
Here are my specs
Windows 7 64 bit
ASUS M4A785TD-V EVO Motherboard
AMD Athlon II x4 620 @ 2.6 (3.1 OC)
8 GB RAM DDR3
XFX HD 6870
700 watt PSU

 

[Rockdpm]

I'd get a I5. but the 965 will work for another year maybe. Even the Phenom II's have some age on them so its better in this case to go ahead and get the latest. Since you've fallen behind. What games do you play?

 

[mclovits]

No. No. No. Trust me, I upgraded to a 3570k from a 965BE. Those Phenoms are not great overclockers, they are sub-per for gaming as well. I promise that you will not regret upgrading to Intel, especially for gaming.

 

[joepro8011]

With the i5 i'll also need a mobo. Any suggestions?

 

[shaun_shaun]

get an Asrock z77 extreme 4

 

[joepro8011]

Thanks. I don't really need crossfire, though. Those prices are killing me

 

[Rockdpm]

Well if you want a better upgrade you could get a Z75 and a 3550... since your wallet is more of a concern.. But I'm telling you, CPU's and motherboards cost MONEY. so your gonna have to pay no matter what direction you go

 

[MasterMace]

For $99, no. It's not worth it.

 

[mouse24]

Aha, you guys are making me feel excessively out dated. Still using an athlon 2 x3, anyhow along with everyone in this thread I would have to say grab the i5, if you want to do it in parts you could grab an AM3+ mobo, keep your current cpu, then once you have enough upgrade to an 8320 FX

 

[joepro8011]

Thanks guys. I don't usually buy from tigerdirect but there's a lot of really good combo deals going on there right now, like this http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=5246454&CatId=6982

feel free to throw me some suggestions.

 

[Rockdpm]

Thats not a bad price. Just a note though I don't understand why they give you a 3570K with a motherboard with just a 4 pin..

 

[joepro8011]

Aha, you guys are making me feel excessively out dated. Still using an athlon 2 x3, anyhow along with everyone in this thread I would have to say grab the i5, if you want to do it in parts you could grab an AM3+ mobo, keep your current cpu, then once you have enough upgrade to an 8320 FX

^This doesn't seem like a bad idea. What do you guys think? http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/288?vs=698

I know everyone says go intel for gaming, but I think it holds it's own.

 

[Rockdpm]

Bottom line. If your doing more rendering than gaming. get the 8320; or i3? and if your gaming more than rendering. then get a I5

 

[lazyboy947]

If saving money is an issue get the phenom II, and if ur going intel get a nice motherboard and at least a unlocked or "k" cpu for overclocking and of course an i5. Way i see it is if ur going to upgrade and ur going intel, get nice quality that u will be happy with so it doesnt leave u wanting to upgrade later like an i3 to an i5 or a z75 to a z77, so even tho u dont currently use it, it gives u the option.

Getting an AM3+ motherboard and and got with a fx 8 core later is basically the same as getting an z77 and i5 as the 8 core at least the 8350 goes for similar to an 2500k/3570k, and a decent motherboard prob $100-130 for amd and $150 for intel. Only difference is spending the money over time instead at once. The recommended z77 ASRock motherboard is only $120, and either of the sandy or ivy bridge unlocked i5s are $210. Right now a fx 8350 has a $10 promo code on newegg making it $200 and similar priced motherboard from amd making it the same cost.

If u dont choose the lower cost solution of the Phenom x4, then basically a new motherboard and i5 or fx 8350 will be around $330.

With ur 6870 the 965 BE should pair well. And really it comes down to what games u play, settings, resolution, and of course $330 over $90 lol

 

[m32]

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2372719&Sku=A79-9864

I would do it.

 

[joepro8011]

Best answer selected by joepro8011.