Opinion needed

[Phenominion]

Hello,

I currently have a Phenom II X2 555 CPU with a Radeon 5770.

I can only upgrade one and was wondering which to upgrade along with a new motherboard. If I upgrade the CPU I would go with the FX 8150. If I upgrade the video card I would go with the Radeon 6950. Which would you do?

Keep in mind that I do EVERYTHING on my computer including gaming and graphic design. I will unlock the 2 extra cores if available on my phenom and I currently have my CPU overclocked to 3.7ghz.

 

[rolli59]

I would go for the HD6950 if your CPU unlocks!

 

[clutchc]

That's a tough call if you game and do Graphic design both. The FX 8150 upgrade would be the best choice for the latter. Unfortunately, you won't see much improvement in gaming as long as you keep the same card. But the PhIIX2 555 can easily be unlocked to a PhII X4 B55 which is the same as the PhII X4 955. That would be a great budget gaming CPU. In that case, I'd say go for the card as your first upgrade. Once you have a solid tri or quad core, gaming is mainly about the card. Which usage is most important to you?

Btw, most PhIIX2 555s are stable if they unlock to quads.

 

[fb39ca4]

I would go with the card and try to unlock. If the unlock is not successful, then save up for the next incarnation of Bulldozer.