Upgrading my old PC to the max

[xForcer]

Hi everyone!

I have an old PC which I want to upgrade, but my budget is low which is why I can't buy a completely new pc.

Specs:

CPU: AMD Athlon X2 64 4600+ 2.4 GHZ
Motherboard: Biostar N61PA M2S
RAM: 4 GB DDR2
GPU: ATI Radeon HD 3850( 512 MB VRAM )

I am very limited because of my motherboard. It supports only DDR2 and AM2 socket.
I found out I can buy AMD Athlon 64 X2 6000+ 3.0 GHZ (89 W) or even 3.2 GHZ one but I don't know about power consumption, what is my motherboard's power support max?
Also, I found out AMD Phenom X4 9750 could be installed on my motherboard, is that true?


TL;DR: Which is the best CPU for motherboard Biostar N61PA M2S?
Is it better to run Dual core with more clock speed or quad with less?

Regards!

 

[LetsPlayThisBro]

What are you looking to do with this rig? I mean you're not looking to play GTA V with max settings that much is clear but what is it you'd like to do that you can't currently with this?

 

[spentshells]

That machine is completely at the end of the line. You could dump money into it if you like but it's really a waste. What is your budget? Im sure we can work something out. Reuse hard drives and disc drives case and power supply (possibly)

 

[LetsPlayThisBro]

That machine is completely at the end of the line. You could dump money into it if you like but it's really a waste. What is your budget? Im sure we can work something out. Reuse hard drives and disc drives case and power supply (possibly)

That's where I'm going with that.... if the budget is too small, save up and start from scratch. But what it really comes down to is application. If all someone uses their computer for is to type letters and browse facebook that rig is still fine and dandy.

 

[xForcer]

Thank you everyone for your replies!

I noticed my games are stuttering because of my CPU, not cuz of my GPU. Let's say Minecraft. My friend has even worse GPU than me but has 3.0 GHZ dual core and has no spikes/stutterings. I am mainly playing LoL and Skyrim, trying out new games too. I remember I could play GTA IV on medium before with high fps.

My goal is to play not-so-new games without problems. The Witcher 2, Skyrim, Minecraft, hmm I don't know what else, but mainly games made before 2013. I am no fan of AC so you can remove that from the list.

My budget is very low as I already told you, it's less than $100. I wanted to buy PC parts from ebay.

 

[LetsPlayThisBro]

Thank you everyone for your replies!

I noticed my games are stuttering because of my CPU, not cuz of my GPU. Let's say Minecraft. My friend has even worse GPU than me but has 3.0 GHZ dual core and has no spikes/stutterings. I am mainly playing LoL and Skyrim, trying out new games too. I remember I could play GTA IV on medium before with high fps.

My goal is to play not-so-new games without problems. The Witcher 2, Skyrim, Minecraft, hmm I don't know what else, but mainly games made before 2013. I am no fan of AC so you can remove that from the list.

My budget is very low as I already told you, it's less than $100. I wanted to buy PC parts from ebay.

Unfortunately I'm not the guy to answer this for you so I have to bow out of this thread and wish you luck. Two reasons, neither of which is, "I'm a jerk" but rather my latest upgrade was a 130 dollar PSU and that I'm no good with AMD parts and with that rig in the state it's in economically AMD would be the way to go, and not just AMD but as you suggest used AMD parts from Ebay or other sources.

Good luck in your search.

 

[spentshells]

Here is the best cpu your motherboard can handle, the price is right, that is for sure.

http://www.ebay.ca/sch/i.html?_odkw=amd+athlon+64+x2+6000&_osacat=0&_from=R40&_trksid=p2045573.m570.l1313.TR3.TRC1.A0.H0.Xamd+athlon+64+x2+5600.TRS0&_nkw=amd+athlon+64+x2+5600&_sacat=0

 

[xForcer]

No probem LetsPlayThisBro and thank you!

@spentshells - Are you sure that's the best one? Why wouldn't I be able to install phenom x4 or amd athlon x2 64 6000+ ?

 

[spentshells]

No probem LetsPlayThisBro and thank you!

@spentshells - Are you sure that's the best one? Why wouldn't I be able to install phenom x4 or amd athlon x2 64 6000+ ?

Directly from the motherboard cpu support list. The cpu's have to be under 100 watts from what I can tell. the 6000 was what i was looking at but it simply isn't supported 125 watts if i remember correctly.

 

[DSzymborski]

No probem LetsPlayThisBro and thank you!

@spentshells - Are you sure that's the best one? Why wouldn't I be able to install phenom x4 or amd athlon x2 64 6000+ ?

Not on the support list - the 5600 is as high as it goes with that motherboard.

The basic problem you're going to run into is that at this point, your platform is so old (a 10-year-old CPU with a budget 8-year-old GPU) that it's really hard to do much to upgrade it significantly. I would not recommend putting $100 into it at this point.

 

[xForcer]

Here is what I have found in CPU world. - http://www.cpu-world.com/CPUs/K8/AMD-Athlon%2064%20X2%206000+%20-%20ADA6000IAA6CZ%20%28ADA6000CZBOX%29.html -

Looks like they remade that one, but with less power consumption. So I need to use less than 100 W?
Also, I found out Phenom X4 9750 needs Hyper transport 3G but my mobo has 2G so looks like phenom drops out. I guess I could buy this one http://www.ebay.com/itm/AMD-Athlon-64-X2-6000-3-0G-2M-AM2-Dual-core-desktop-cpu-/191563199623?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2c9a0e7487 ?

Is it overclockable?

 

[spentshells]

that cpu for 20 and up to 50 on a AMD 5770.

This would be a night and day situation for you, without spending a ton and not replacing much. if the psu can handle the 3850 it can handle the 5770.

 

[xForcer]

My PSU is one of the better parts in my PC. It's Stronger 600W. So I can buy that CPU for my PC, it will work?

 

[spentshells]

Yes it will as will the gpu and that keeps you lower than 80 bucks and increases your gaming potential substantially.

 

[xForcer]

Thank you very much spentshells! You have been a great help to me.

Regards!