Looking to upgrade my CPU

[gibsonstu]

Hi guys, im looking to upgrade my cpu so wanted you experts advice before i go ahead.

I did a search with speccy which showed my motherboard as:
Motherboard
Manufacturer ECS
Model GF8100VM-M5 (CPU 1)
Version 1.0
Chipset Vendor NVIDIA
Chipset Model nForce 720a
Chipset Revision A2
Southbridge Vendor NVIDIA
Southbridge Model ID075C
Southbridge Revision A2
System Temperature 30 °C

I then googled the model and it gave me this page:
http://www.ecs.com.tw/ECSWebSite/Pr...1&CategoryID=1&MenuID=20&LanID=0#fragment-CPU

In the CPU tab it has an almighty list of cpu's , does this mean that my motherboard can use all of these listed cpu's ? If so, which would you recommend for me to upgrade to as im currently using a dual core 2x 2.9 and wanted something a lot more beefy to run guildwars 2 smoother, but im trying to keep the cost as low as possible

This is what i currently have
AMD Athlon II X2 245
Cores 2
Threads 2
Name AMD Athlon II X2 245
Code Name Regor
Package Socket AM3 (938)
Technology 45nm
Specification AMD Athlon(tm) II X2 245 Processor
Family F
Extended Family 10
Model 6
Extended Model 6
Stepping 2
Revision DA-C2
Instructions MMX (+), 3DNow! (+), SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSE4A, AMD 64
Virtualization Supported, Disabled
Hyperthreading Not supported
Fan Speed 1551 RPM
Bus Speed 200.0 MHz
Rated Bus Speed 2000.1 MHz
Stock Core Speed 2900 MHz
Stock Bus Speed 200 MHz
Average Temperature 35 °C

On a side note, is the motherboard even ok to upgrade on, or do you think i should get a new motherboard/cpu bundle? If so, any recommendations here on one which i can use my current ram with which is DDR2

Thanks in advance

 

[gibsonstu]

oh and to add

Using a 1024MB GeForce GT 430 as video card atm, i just think everything is being bottlenecked by the dual core processor (or so ive been told)

Would a cpu upgrade such as this http://www.amazon.com/Phenom-Black-3-4Ghz-512KB-4000MHZ/dp/B002SRQ214/ref=sr_1_1?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1335835315&sr=1-1 be a good cpu upgrade to get? 110 bucks seems a good price

 

[monsta]

The cpu you chose is a good upgrade , just check the motherboards cpu compatibility list and update your bios. If you plan to do it you will want to upgrade the 430 also, as its not great for gaming.

 

[randomkid]

oh and to add

Using a 1024MB GeForce GT 430 as video card atm, i just think everything is being bottlenecked by the dual core processor (or so ive been told)

Would a cpu upgrade such as this http://www.amazon.com/Phenom-Black-3-4Ghz-512KB-4000MHZ/dp/B002SRQ214/ref=sr_1_1?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1335835315&sr=1-1 be a good cpu upgrade to get? 110 bucks seems a good price

The AMD Athlon II X2 245 is fine. Your bottleneck is the GPU.
The GTX 430 is just good for displaying the screen for productivity (meaning working with office or simple browsing ).
Better spend that $110 on new GPU such as the AMD 7750. Here... take a look at these choices:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&IsNodeId=1&Description=Radeon%20HD%207750

 

[gibsonstu]

I went ahead and got a phenom II x4 960T as at 2nd glance that was the best the board would support, and I can tell the difference already. I'll take your advice and upgrade the gfx card next time I have some spare cash

Another thing though, I also upgraded my wifes cpu from a dual core 2.0 to a core 2 quad Q9300. The thing didnt come with a heatsink though so I had to use the one from the dual core, though I did clean it and apply some new arctic silver 5. Its running fine but in speccy its running at 63 degrees idle, 69 degrees while on youtube. Is this purely due to the heatsink, or will the temp drop rapidly when the thermal compound sets and dries? And is it safe to run at this kind of temp?

 

[randomkid]

It wont drop much even when the thermal compound set. The dual core heatsink is probably too small for the quadcore. The thermal limit recommended is 71.4 degrees celcius. Your 69 degress is too close to limit just running youtube so I suggest that you replace it with a better cooler.