Thinking about upgrading my CPU

[Mikelee0351]

So, like it says, I'm thinking of upgrading my CPU I do plan on staying with my current MoBo btw. I wanted to ask you all thoughts and opinions on going from a (copy paste from hp.com)
Base processor
Phenom II X4-810 (D) 2.6 GHz (95W)

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4000 MHz HyperTransport 3.0
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Socket AM3

Chipset
AMD 785G
Motherboard

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Manufacturer: Foxconn
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Motherboard Name: H-RS780-uATX
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HP/Compaq motherboard name: Aloe-GL8E

and upgrading it to a:
AMD Phenom II X4 965 Black Edition Deneb 3.4GHz 4 x 512KB L2 Cache 6MB L3 Cache Socket AM3 125W Quad-Core Processor

My main ??'s are: first would the new processor work in the old MoBo? I think it would because they are both socket AM3, right?
and second, would I see significant performance gains?
I mainly game on my PC Dragon Age, ME2 LOTRO, and FFIV when it hits I also am currently using a GTX 260 video card, and 8GB of DDR3, and have very little problems playing most things on max settings, with only some rare slowdown now and again. Sorry for nub ??'s

[Jurgen]

I don't know as much about AMD as Intel, but...

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/...pu,2599-7.html

It looks like going with the Phenom II x4 965 would not be a huge upgrade from what you currently have. If you can (or want to) OC your current processor to 3Ghz, I think you'll be just fine with what you have. A Phenom II x4 810 at 3Ghz is probably not going to bottleneck your GTX 260 at all.

If you decide you do want to upgrade though (I wouldn't recommend it based on the returns you'll get though), I'd strongly suggest you go with the Phenom II x4 955 Black Edition over the 965. You can save yourself about $30 or $40, and it OCs just as well as the 965 from what I hear.

Also, if you can hold out AMD 6-core CPUs should be making their appearance relatively soon and will be compatible with socket AM3, which could drive down the prices of the current Black Editions.

[fishstix]

I agree with Jurgen, you probably won't see any significant gains with upgrading, unless you plan to overclock the 965 BE as high as you can. Even then, it seems like you're running things pretty well as it is already. Like he said, try OCing your current CPU to 3-ish and see how it works out for you. The upgrade will be compatible though

[Mikelee0351]

Thanks for the advice guys. If I can get away without spending another 180$ on a new processor then that's more money I can put towards a 400 series nvidia card (yeah yeah ati I know, but I'm an Nvidia whore).

I've never overclocked anything before so I'm sure it'll be an interesting learning experience. My GTX 260 came pre-superclocked supposedly though.

On another note, I've been trying to figure out exactly what speed my RAM is without having to open my case (believe me with the way my wires and desk is set up it's a pain in the ass. Best I can figure is I have 8Gb of 800mhz DDR3, would going up to the 1060mhz max that my mobo can utilize make much difference?

[Jurgen]

RAM speed has very little to do with FPS performance (3-5% max maybe).

[Olo401]

BEFORE you start overclocking...

- If you don't have an aftermarket heatsink & fan, get one. The heatsink & fan that comes with the CPU is not designed for the added heat. You'll also need some thermal compound (Arctic Silver 5 or IC Diamond 7).
- READ!! Learn the ins & outs of basic overclocking, and the capabilities of your own motherboard and CPU. That way you'll have an idea what to expect.
- Don't overdo it.. Overclocking is nice for increasing performance. It can also cook your CPU, motherboard and memory real damn fast!

RAM speed has very little to do with FPS performance (3-5% max maybe).

Absolutely true.. but for overclocking it's important. Higher rated memory uses a faster base clock (i.e. DDR2-800 runs at 400MHz, DDR2-1066 runs at 533MHz), allowing you to increase the overall bus speed more without running the memory too hard & hot.

[levish]

I doubt the difference in FPS from RAM speed accounts to anything beyond a fraction of a %. 3-5% is being overly generous imo. RAM quantity on the other hand can have a big effect, particularly if you don't have enough.

[Don Katsu]

Talking about overclocking and

HP/Compaq motherboard name: Aloe-GL8E

I don't get it, do you plan on flashing your BIOS to accomplish this? Because I'm pretty sure your BIOS is locked and you can't overclock your CPU.