CPU Upgrade - TTLG Forums

bikerdude on 28/9/2008 at 14:41

Quote Posted by Zerker

So at least two major game engines DO use all four cores. I can run some tests on other games when I get back home if anyone wants.

There's true usage of multiple CPUs and weird quasi-hybrid poor methodologies out there. One works the best, the other doesn't and most games sport a false sense of multi-core cpu support.

And the minority of games that have multi-core support(see above) dont result in smoother game play or better frame rates most of the time, there are of course exceptions

Also were your games native mac or were you running them in boot camp, as mac game support may provide better multi core support...

biker

Zerker on 28/9/2008 at 18:08

I was running in boot camp. I'll post CPU graphs for you guys next time I'm in Windows.

Matthew on 1/11/2008 at 20:17

Quote Posted by Bikerdude

My previous, previous cpu was a 4800+ and to be honest the difference between that and the E8400 is only about 20-30% in games.

biker

Necroooooooo (well, 'tis the season for undead things).

What do you guys think of this idea, an attempt to get a modest boost (to bring things like Red Alert 3 and Fallout 3 to heel) without breaking the bank?

* Upgrade my 4200+ processor to a 5200+ (the fastest X2 processor that I definitely know my MSI K9N Platinum SLI mobo can take, barring the disappearing FX-62s) - £50

* Replace 7900 GT with an 8800 GT or a 9800 GT - £100 to 140

* Add yet another 2Gb of DDR2-6400 memory to make 4Gb - £25

bikerdude on 1/11/2008 at 23:17

Quote Posted by Matthew

* Upgrade my 4200+ processor to a 5200+ (the fastest X2 processor that I definitely know my MSI K9N Platinum SLI mobo can take, barring the disappearing FX-62s) - £50
* Replace 7900 GT with an 8800 GT or a 9800 GT - £100 to 140
* Add yet another 2Gb of DDR2-6400 memory to make 4Gb - £25

After some research i see your mobo has a 14x cpu multiplier. That equals 2.8ghz (which is a X2 5400+) - but a bios update might raise that.

I also found two Amd "Black edition" (unlocked multipliers) cpu's.

* The 5000+ 512KB x2 cache (65nm, cooler temps)
* The 6000+ 1MB x2 cache (90nm hotter running)

if your board will take it and you have a good enough heat sink get the 6000+

The 8800GT is the best choice for thief compatibility and the ability to play newer games, and can be had for under £100. ). But for around the same money you could go for the HD4850 which would completely smash the 8800GT. - the only thing you have to consider is that in testing I found T2 broken w/HD4850 under vista even with DDfix - (http://www.ttlg.com/forums/showthread.php?t=122596) see my thread, that said I never got around to setting XpSp2 compatibility mode before I sent the card back.

Extra memory is always handy.

biker

Matthew on 2/11/2008 at 00:28

Thanks Biker. I'm not a Thief player (should really get around to fixing that some day, though) but I am a Shockhead so that 4850 should hopefully be OK.

As for the processors, I think I'd need a new heatsink for those two, I'm just concerned that the board's specs only mention up to the 5200+. I presume (http://www.amazon.co.uk/AMD-Black-Processor-Efficient-heatsink/dp/B000VTQ0Z4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1225585462&sr=1-1) this is the first Black Edition you'd mentioned, but the other seems pretty much impossible to find.

bikerdude on 2/11/2008 at 10:31

Quote Posted by Matthew

but I am a Shockhead so that 4850 should hopefully be OK.
I presume this is the first Black Edition you'd mentioned, but the other seems pretty much impossible to find.

System Shock uses the same engine, so your mileage will vary.

AMD 64 X2 6000+ - average price £66

(http://www.dabs.com/productview.aspx?quicklinx=57Y0)

And this offer includes a free copy of race driver grid - which will fly on the 4850.

I found all the results via(http://www.google.co.uk/products?q=AMD%20Athlon%2064%20X2%206000%2B&sourceid=navclient-ff&ie=UTF-8&rlz=1B3GGGL_enGB239GB242&um=1&sa=N&tab=wf) google shopping

biker

EvaUnit02 on 2/11/2008 at 14:07

Quote Posted by Bikerdude

Don't bother with the 9800GT its a slower card(only has 112 stream processors, v the 8800GT's 128).

Uh, no. The 8800GT can only use 112 stream processors. The rest were laser-cut and are impossible to unlock.

bikerdude on 2/11/2008 at 17:00

Quote Posted by EvaUnit02

Uh, no. The 8800GT can only use 112 stream processors. The rest were laser-cut and are impossible to unlock.

Ah yes, my bad most only have 112, I was thinking of the 8800GTS 512mb. But it dosent matter as Shadow is going with e HD4850 which will smash the 8800 series..

biker

Matthew on 3/11/2008 at 11:30

Ah, thanks Biker - I did actually see that 6000+ but thought it wasn't the Black Edition and passed it by. For that price I might as well take a chance on it and whack a good cooler on top of it. EDIT: it seems I don't even need to take the chance, MSI have confirmed that the board will take the 6000+ since one of the BIOS updates. Many thanks for your help!

bikerdude on 3/11/2008 at 13:09

Quote Posted by Matthew

Ah, thanks Biker - MSI have confirmed that the board will take the 6000+ since one of the BIOS updates. Many thanks for your help!

doh, my bad its not the black edition. But as its comes with a £25 game its not a bad deal...!!!

But if you really want a black edition then look at the following link:

(http://www.google.co.uk/products?q=AMD+Athlon+64+X2+black+edition&btnG=Search+Products&show=dd)

Looks like the Black editions only come at the following speeds:

5000+ 2.6ghz, 1mb Cache £50
5400+ 2.8ghz, 1mb cache £60
6400+ 3.2ghz, 2mb cache £100

The 6000+ 3.0ghz, 2mb cache, £66, from dabs with just have the useal fixed multi and is the best bang for buck. Also with a good cooler you'll hit 3.2-3.4ghz speeds.

But what ever you do i SERIOUSLY suggest you get a northbridge cooler for that msi mobo, as the one on there gets upto 90c (hot enough to burn your finger) I recommend the Thermaltake Extreme Spirit 2 dual heatpipe cooler -(http://uk.three.ebid.net/perl/auction.cgi?auction=1214853835-8502-2&mo=auction&from=froogle) link. I had one on my previous motherboard (still got it as a spare)

biker