Upgrading AMD Phenom II X2 550 3.1GHz

[spinach]

I bought this system about 4 years ago

AMD Phenom II X2 550 3.1GHz Processor
Gigabyte GA-MA74GM-S2H motherboard
4GB PC2-6400 Memory
ATi Radeon HD 5670 512MB Graphics Card
500GB 7200RPM Hard Disk
Corsair CX750 Builder Series CX 750W ATX/EPS 80 PLUS Bronze PSU

Windows 7 pro 64-Bit SP1
19in ViewSonic VA1913WM monitor

I would like to upgrade it for gaming. I'm going to buy the Radeon R9 270X OC 2GB GDDR5 Graphics Card and would like to know what CPU I should get as well.

Approximate Purchase Date: next couple of months
Budget Range: £120 for GPU, £150 for CPU and/or Ram
System Usage: Gaming
Parts to Upgrade: graphics card, CPU and/or Ram
Do you need to buy OS: No
Location: UK
Parts Preferences: Sapphire Dual-X Radeon R9 270X OC 2GB GDDR5 Graphics Card
Overclocking: No
SLI or Crossfire: No
Your Monitor Resolution: 1366 X 768
Additional Comments: I don't have much of a clue about building PCs so any advice on my system would be awesomeness.
Why Are You Upgrading: to improve gaming settings and get better frame rates.

Thanks!

 

[sincreator]

If you can find one, a Phenom II x4 or Phenom II x6 would match up well with the video card you plan to buy. The only problem is that your board will only support up to 95w CPUs max, so that will limit you a bit on the options. Here is the best that your current board supports: http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B0056D5AMY/ref=dp_olp_used_mbc?ie=UTF8&condition=used Before you install it, make sure to update your bios to the latest revision with your old CPU installed. Once it's done you can switch your new CPU in.

If you had more money to spend I would recommend a new Motherboard+CPU+DDR3 Ram, but that will be over $200.

PS: I checked Amazon.uk but there were none of the chips listed, so I linked to the US site. They do ship internationally though.

 

[sora]

If you can find one, a Phenom II x4 or Phenom II x6 would match up well with the video card you plan to buy. The only problem is that your board will only support up to 95w CPUs max, so that will limit you a bit on the options. Here is the best that your current board supports: http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B0056D5AMY/ref=dp_olp_used_mbc?ie=UTF8&condition=used Before you install it, make sure to update your bios to the latest revision with your old CPU installed. Once it's done you can switch your new CPU in.

If you had more money to spend I would recommend a new Motherboard+CPU+DDR3 Ram, but that will be over $200.

PS: I checked Amazon.uk but there were none of the chips listed, so I linked to the US site. They do ship internationally though.

Wouldn't you have to pay duty fees though?

 

[sincreator]

Yes most likely. You will have to check out your local shops or local online retailers to find one. Make sure it's 95w though 😉

Shipping is $48 http://www.amazon.com/gp/aag/details/ref=olp_merch_ship_2?ie=UTF8&asin=B0056D5AMY&seller=A2R2KIYR4R8ULI&sshmPath=shipping-rates#aag_shipping

 

[sincreator]

This one is being sold out of the UK: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/AMD-Phenom-II-X4-960T-3-0Ghz-Socket-AM3-4C-6MB-L3-95W-HD96ZTWFK4DGR-Ship-from-UK/400744008714?_trksid=p2047675.c100011.m1850&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D24438%26meid%3Da436faa0d4ee46e78fc66bff682bb505%26pid%3D100011%26prg%3D9173%26rk%3D2%26rkt%3D10%26sd%3D180777237424

You can also look at the 95w Phenom II x6 chips. The 1065t is the fastest(2.9ghz-3.4ghz boost) chip that is 95w that your board supports, and don't even think about overclocking on your motherboard. 😉

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/AMD-Phenom-II-X6-1065T-Six-Core-CPU-Socket-AM3-95W-2-9Ghz-Processor-6MB-/221520827141?pt=CPUs&hash=item3393ab9305#ht_1782wt_960