Upgrading from Phenom x4 9650 to Phenom II x2 555?

[kelsarad]

I currently have the Phenom x4 9650 2.3Ghz CPU. I am thinking about buying the Phenom II x2 555 3.2Ghz and leaving it at stock settings. Then later when I get a new motherboard I will unlock the extra 2 cores and overclock some. For now though, would this be an upgrade? All I do usually is game and a little bit of video editing once in a while. Also wondering if I have any bottlenecking going on.

Specs:
Phenom x4 9650 2.3Ghz
3gigs ddr2 600 ram
ATI Radeon 4850 512mb ddr3 OC @ 700/1003

Also, could you let me know if the phenom ii x2 555 will add or reduce bottlenecking? Thanks.

 

[kelsarad]

since most games utilize just two cores and the original phenom was so bad, it will be an upgrade. you need to realize that not all phenom II unlock and most web site (not idiot fan boys) have them at 50-50 to 60-40 at best for unlocking.

I do realize this, and it will be an upgrade even if I am not able to unlock the 2 cores right? Also, I am a noob at this so could you explain to me what 50-50 and 60-40 means? 😛

 

[kelsarad]

Best answer selected by kelsarad.

 

[azcat]

I disagree that the Phenom x4 9650 is a bad CPU and that the Phenom II 555 is an upgrade over it. I own both along with a Phenom II x4 965 and a Sandy Bridge Intel 2500k.

I have the 9650 overclocked to 2.5GHz. It's locked and there isn't much room to OC.
I have the Phenom II 555 OC'd to 4.2 GHz. Mine won't unlock to 4 cores so, as stated, don't expect to get 2 free cores in all cases.
I have the Phenom II 965 OC'd to 4.1 GHz.

For gaming, I get almost identical frame rates with all three CPUs. I'm using an Asus 5850 GPU and all are very playable. The real jump in frame rates for me was moving to the Intel 2500K. I was able to OC the 2500K to %GHz. My GPU frame rates went up 30% using the same GPU.

If you have a 9650, I wouldn't bother moving to a 555, you won't notice much difference.