Potential Upgrade?

Z

zrikz

[H]ard|Gawd
Joined
May 29, 2006
Messages
1,177
You can see my current rig in my sig, let me know if this is even worth considering at all.. the main reason I might upgrade is I believe I might be selling my current setup minus GPU to a co-worker which would probably pay for 85% of the upgrade. That and I'm running out of room in my case / its a bit warm with what I have in it.

So, would I see much of an improvement over my 6400+? This damn thing runs so hot too, so thats another reason I want to upgrade =/


GIGABYTE GA-MA790X-UD4P AM3/AM2+/AM2 AMD 790X ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128387

G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F2-8500CL5D-4GBPK - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231166

AMD Phenom II X2 550 Black Edition Callisto 3.1GHz 2 x 512KB L2 Cache 6MB L3 Cache Socket AM3 80W Dual-Core Processor - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103680

CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139006

COOLER MASTER HAF 932 RC-932-KKN1-GP Black Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119160

Only thing lacking is I'm not sure which HSF to choose. Any recommendations / critiques?
 
So I just happened upon a few extra monies, would it be worth it to upgrade to the a motherboard capable of DDR3? Wouldn't cost too much more and seems like it might be worth it in the long run for future AM3 processor releases.

If so, does anyone recommend a DDR3 capable motherboard over the other, and any particular ram?
 
I would avoid the xigmatek for this build.

The problem is that the xigmatek will only mount horizontially meaning it will block off your first two memory slots. There is no way to mount it vertically.

-----------------

For AM3 boards I would consider the GIGABYTE GA-MA770T-UD3P if your not planning on using crossfire.
 
any recommendations on the HSF?

Any pros / cons to the UD3P vs UD5P?

GIGABYTE GA-MA790FXT-UD5P AM3 DDR3 AMD 790FX ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128377

I don't really need Crossfire I guess, its just the idea thats nice, as to if I will actually use it any time soon, who knows.

/edit don't I need South bridge 750 at least to try and unlock the 550 also? I can't remember exactly.
 
The Sunbeam Core Contact Freezer will mount the way you want it on the AM2/AM3 socket.
Nice heatsink as well.
 
zrikz said:
any recommendations on the HSF?

Any pros / cons to the UD3P vs UD5P?

GIGABYTE GA-MA790FXT-UD5P AM3 DDR3 AMD 790FX ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128377

I don't really need Crossfire I guess, its just the idea thats nice, as to if I will actually use it any time soon, who knows.

/edit don't I need South bridge 750 at least to try and unlock the 550 also? I can't remember exactly.
Click to expand...

you need either the SB700/710/750 either of these 3 southbridges come with ACC.. but the other problem is that you can upgrade your bios.. since all board makers have fixed the ACC unlock per AMD's request..
 
Picked up my MA790X-UD4P.....my 550 unlocked as quad on M4A79, bought the gig mobo for a back up mobo and to try the 550 chip on that mobo.....Updated to bios F5, reboot and see what I got...heh

 
sirmonkey1985 said:
you need either the SB700/710/750 either of these 3 southbridges come with ACC.. but the other problem is that you can upgrade your bios.. since all board makers have fixed the ACC unlock per AMD's request..
Click to expand...

Since when does SB700 have ACC?

ACC is a SB710/750 feature.
 
HondaGuy said:
Picked up my MA790X-UD4P.....my 550 unlocked as quad on M4A79, bought the gig mobo for a back up mobo and to try the 550 chip on that mobo.....Updated to bios F5, reboot and see what I got...heh
Click to expand...

not sure what I should be looking for.. is it that it says X4 B50 or DDR2?
 
I have just picked up the same set of gears you have (well, minus the power supply and case, since I am recycling PC Power & Cooling 500 + Lian Li PC-V1000) I am thinking of recycling the Thermalright XP-90 HSF, since most of the 'modern' towering HSFs felt like they will exert a lot of stress on the motherboard (due to their height and being mounted in a tower)
 
-That heatsink would point the wrong way
-Am3 would be a bit more power efficient
-6400+ is plenty fast, not worth the upgrade
 
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