Please help me choose a CPU Upgrade

[traylor1]

I have a Gigabyte GA-M68M-S2P (rev. 2.3) Mobo running a AMD Athlon(tm) 5000 Dual-Core Processor with 8 gb Ram (Windows 7 64 bit). This was a computer my dad built and he was getting rid of it and gave it to me. It works extremely well for me, except for 2 things I do. First is when using itunes for converting files and the second is for editing and encoding videos. Both max out the CPU

I have a 2gb video card and I would like to be able to do the media conversions without maxing out my CPU. According to the Specs, it can support AM3/AM2+/AM2 processors: AMD Phenom II processor/ AMD Phenom processor/AMD Athlon II processor/ AMD Athlon processor/AMD Sempron processors.

I honestly do not want to upgrade the whole system yet, so with this knowledge in hand, can anyone help me decide what would be the best for this system? CPU's are something that have always confused me, so if anyone can guide me the right direction, I would be very thankful!

Randy

 

[skitz9417]

if u can find a phemon x4 955 or x4 965 u will be good

 

[twelve25]

Here's the list of supported processors: http://www.gigabyte.com/support-downloads/cpu-support-popup.aspx?pid=3270

Any of the Phenom II X4 or X6 processors are going to be a great upgrade, but new availability is drying up on those. A Phenom X4 965 Black edition for $85 or a x6 1045T for $110 (both at Tigerdirect) would both be excellent choices and should be about 3-4 faster for encoding video than your current setup.

Now in terms of maxing out the CPU, encoding is supposed to max out the CPU. That makes it finish faster. SO I would suspect your new processor also hits 100% during video encoding, you just finish 4x faster. The good news is that with 4-6 cores, you can still use the machine while it is encoding as long as you don't do anything else CPU intensive. Some video encoders do let you specify number of cores to use, but many just use what's there.

 

[traylor1]

Here's the list of supported processors: http://www.gigabyte.com/support-downloads/cpu-support-popup.aspx?pid=3270

Any of the Phenom II X4 or X6 processors are going to be a great upgrade, but new availability is drying up on those. A Phenom X4 965 Black edition for $85 or a x6 1045T for $110 (both at Tigerdirect) would both be excellent choices and should be about 3-4 faster for encoding video than your current setup.

Now in terms of maxing out the CPU, encoding is supposed to max out the CPU. That makes it finish faster. SO I would suspect your new processor also hits 100% during video encoding, you just finish 4x faster. The good news is that with 4-6 cores, you can still use the machine while it is encoding as long as you don't do anything else CPU intensive. Some video encoders do let you specify number of cores to use, but many just use what's there.

Thank you twelve25, excellent information! I truly appreciate it.

 

[skitz9417]

so do u know what to get

 

[traylor1]

so do u know what to get

I believe I do with a combination of what you said and twelve25 it is a good starting place. Will do some research.

 

[skitz9417]

ok

 

[swifty_morgan]

be very careful about what processor you try and put on that motherboard.

95 watt processors max...........

some processors on that provided list will not work and some may need the proper BIOS update beforehand........... which, if I were going to put another processor on that board, I would update first to make sure it will take and not screw anything up before I spent any money.

 

[twelve25]

where do you get 95W max? CPU support list clearly shows 125W processors.

Good advice about latest BIOS updates, though.

 

[swifty_morgan]

couple different sockets were made. AM2 was the first. that was 95watt. if he tries to put the 125 on it it won't work right. AM2 because he says "Athlon(tm) 5000 Dual-Core Processor" makes me think it's an older board.

 

[twelve25]

AM2 had several 125W processors, as did AM2+. For example, the X2 6000+ and X4 9750.

Some boards have been 95W max, but it has nothing to do with the socket.

 

[swifty_morgan]

there was an AM2 board that supported ONLY a 95watt processor. then there was an AM2/AM2+ board after that that supported higher watt processors.

 

[traylor1]

there was an AM2 board that supported ONLY a 95watt processor. then there was an AM2/AM2+ board after that that supported higher watt processors.

I have looked at the specs page http://www.gigabyte.com/products/product-page.aspx?pid=3498#sp and I see no mention of the 95 or 125 watt processor. So how do I know what it takes?

 

[twelve25]

The CPU compatibility list says what it takes. It has everything up to 125W on it.

 

[traylor1]

The CPU compatibility list says what it takes. It has everything up to 125W on it.

OK, super. I knew I had seen 125W on this page somewhere. I appreciate it.

 

[traylor1]

Best answer selected by traylor1.