I'm thinking about upgrading my current processor and need a bit of help. At the moment I my computer has the following specs:


NF4XK8MC Motherboard
AMD Athlon 64 3200 running at ~2.0ghz
2GB Ram (2 x 1gb DDR PC3200)
NVidia GeForce 7600 GT 512mb

Anyone got any advice? My preferred price range is anything up to around £80-90, maybe a bit more if its worth it.

After looking on the web I found this which I think is compatible with my motherboard, but I'm not sure. I also found this but again I'm not certain it will work on my motherboard, and its a bit out of my preferred price range (though if the extra performance is worth it i suppose i could stretch to it).

Any help appreciated

What do you usually do with your computer and why do you think you need a upgrade?

The CPUs you listed should be compatible with your motherboard (at most BIOS update is needed)

It depends on your usage really because a 3800+ is frequency-wise no faster than a 3200+. If you usually open several programs that quite demand CPU simutaneously or if you know your heavy-CPU-load program utilizes multi-core processors, then you'll certainly benefit from a X2.

Honestly dude, I don't think it's good to upgrade an AMD processor at the moment, as they are quite old and aren't worth their money, since Intel offers better performance for the same price..  Your motherboard features an AMD socket so, unfortunately, you won't be able to use an Intel processor..

IMO, if you really need to upgrade, you should save up more money and build a whole new system after this summer, when, Intel Quad Cores will become A LOT cheaper, new chipsets arrive and DDR3 memory starts to bang.. Oh and by Christmas the new nVidia 9 series are expected to come out, so that leaves plenty of space for you to spare some more money

Until AMD pulls themselves back into the ranks, and catches up with Intel, I'm gonna have to agree with Jhrono.

Thing is, I don't really want to have to buy a new system. I've not had this one that long, and I need all the money I can get for other things atm.

I'll keep an open mind but it's unlikely I'll have enough money for a new system any time soon.

I get your point, but honestly, in that case, I think you should leave your system as it is and use it on other things in your life

You've got a 64 bit computer that can issue two billion instructions per second. What on earth are you doing to push that to its limits?

IMO you could wait until the next AMD chips come out. If they aren't compatible, you will be sure to get a good deal on dual core stuff.

quote:

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Originally posted by Verte
If they aren't compatible

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hi i was a similar upgrade situation like you a few months earlier

i had an athlon 64 3000+ and i decided to go with the x2 4400+. i can vouch that it was worth all the money. it's really noticably faster and you will feel the difference among all programs that you're using. plus, i overclocked it easily from stock 2.2ghz to 2.4ghz which makes it essentially a 4800 now. isn't that a bargain?

i understand the situation because i dont' have money to get a new intel system right now either. in my opinion, right NOW is the last chance for us socket 939 people to get an upgrade, because after this AM2 will take over and we will basically become computer junk.

however, the 4400+ will still keep our computer competitive (it doesn't tag that much behind the core 2 duo e6600 in most benchmarks), plus with your pretty good vid card and ram, it will last that much longer.

so hopefully that has helped you some