New CPU and Mobo

Ok so ive been slowly upgrading my computer parts over the last few weeks and now im at the point where my cpu is the bottleneck of my system

2.30 gigahertz AMD Phenom 9650 Quad-Core
512 kilobyte primary memory cache
2048 kilobyte secondary memory cache
2048 kilobyte tertiary memory cache
64-bit ready
Multi-core (4 total)
Not hyper-threaded
that is my current cpu

http://www.foxconnchannel.com/product/Motherboards/detail_spec.aspx?ID=en-us0000373 that is my current motherboard

I have a corsair 650TX PSU and a SAPPHIRE HD5770 GPU currently running windows 7 64bit with 4gig of ram

iam an avid gamer and constantly trying to improve my performance and my computer is holding me back!!

 

Ok so what's your budget for upgrading?

Sam

 

maybe around £250 including a motherboard if that will need replacing also,
thanks John

 

I say you have a solid system so I don't see were the bottleneck is.

If you really want to upgrade I would go with a new video card. Maybe a 5870 or 5970 if you want to go all out.

 

well the main game i play is world of warcraft which is alot more cpu dependant than most games out there and less demanding on the gpu
i probably should of mentioned that before

 

I don't think wow uses more then one or two cpu cores but I may be wrong.

I think overclocking your cpu would be the best benefit if you are willing to the the risks.

 

no you are right about that but how far do you think i would be able to overclock it? and would it make much difference? ive never really tried oc'ing anything

 

A good place to start is to use AMD's Overdrive software. It'll let you implement tweaks in small steps. I use it and have my X3-720BE running at 3.3Ghz with it (stock is 2.8) on stock cooling with no issues.

Grab it here http://game.amd.com/us-en/drivers_overdrive.aspx .

Sam

 

Please don't use software for OC'ing, they do not always OC by the amount you want.

Use the BIOS for the safest, most reliable OC.

I suggest, if not already, you buy an aftermarker cooler, the best IMO is the Corsair H-50, it is the best cooler out there. To keep your temps in a safe range and so that you can pump some extra voltage into it to get some higher speeds running stable.

 

True but as the OP stated he hasn't done OC'ing and using the Overdrive does allow you to test settings then you can apply them in the BIOS. I should have made it clear that I used Overdrive to find a nice OC spot for me, and I did set the BIOS afterwards.


[/QUOTE]I suggest, if not already, you buy an aftermarker cooler, the best IMO is the Corsair H-50, it is the best cooler out there. To keep your temps in a safe range and so that you can pump some extra voltage into it to get some higher speeds running stable.[/QUOTE]

Again here is another spot where using the Overdrive can let you see how much temps go up at the settings you try. Now I have found that stock AMD cooling works very well but I always buy the retail boxed version. And I have used nothing but AMD CPUs for the last 10 years. Yeah if you're going to really push them then an aftermarket cooler may be called for.

Sam

 

So can the BIOS, :-D

Really though, the BIOS is much better for OC'ing.

 

temps are around 30 atm on stock with nothing running, gonna try oc it to around 2.8 and see how it goes