Need processor upgrade help

[silverforte]

I come here often asking for help and it's always been helpful, so I'm here yet again. I just upgraded my video card to a Radeon HD 7700 1gig.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814202084

Now I want a processor that goes well with that card. I have an older system.

Win XP
3 gig ram

Current processor is the AMD Athlon Dual Core 4450e 2.3 ghz. CPU-Z says 'AMD Athlon 64 X2 4450e' and Socket AM2 940, codename Brisbane. I realize I have an older socket type but I'm sure there are some processors out there that are much better than the one I'm currently using that would go well with my new video card. Even though the video card is a decent step up from my older one, my framerates are not any better and I believe this is due to my processor being so old and terrible. Any suggestions? Hoping for something under $100.

 

[Alec Mowat]

IMHO
Save your money, buy a new motherboard/processor/RAM and move off XP to Windows 7.

XP will be expired in April, no longer supported. it's going to be a hacker haven soon.

You are better off replacing everything at this point. Don't waste money on that old ship, let it sink.

 

[DonQuixoteMC]

I have to agree with Alec Mowat on this one. While it's nice to try salvaging old PCs, it's rarely worth it. You would most likely have to upgrade your motherboard, PSU, CPU and RAM to make any decent upgrade, and at that point you might as well be building a new PC. You can still try to use the old case/optical drive/HDD though, as long as it's a large case.

 

[silverforte]

Okay, but I would rather not buy an entirely new rig. I'm looking for advice on an upgrade for my current processor. I spent 90 on the video card, processors for old am2 sockets or am2 compatible processors appear to be under 100. So 200 dollars (or less) total to be able to comfortably play older games that I enjoy playing like WoW or diablo 3 is a lot less than 400-500 for a new custom machine. I don't have a ton of disposable income.

So, can anyone offer any upgrade suggestions please?

 

[Alec Mowat]

Okay, but I would rather not buy an entirely new rig. I'm looking for advice on an upgrade for my current processor. I spent 90 on the video card, processors for old am2 sockets or am2 compatible processors appear to be under 100. So 200 dollars (or less) total to be able to comfortably play older games that I enjoy playing like WoW or diablo 3 is a lot less than 400-500 for a new custom machine. I don't have a ton of disposable income.

So, can anyone offer any upgrade suggestions please?

I guess the short answer is, you won't gain any real performance boost from any AM2 chip. The motherboard won't support a much better chip, and anything in that range is practically given away at this point.

They are out of date.

If you can't find one used for next to nothing, than it's not actually worth any money.

http://www.usedottawa.com/classified-ad/Compaq-Presario-PC-FOR-SALE_21737221
http://www.usedottawa.com/classified-ad/NEW-PRICE-SMOKIN-DEAL-ACER-ASPIRE-AMD-ATHLON-642-DUAL-CORE-3800200-GHZ_21546770

Short answer; they don't manufacture AM2 chips anymore.