Topic: Thinking of upgrading CPU for SSE (Read 7793 times)

trains · « **on:** August 16, 2010, 02:12:47 »

I've been looking at notebook CPU's and went to AMD to compare my AMD Athlon (tm) II Dual-Core M300 with 2 Ghz, to the AMD Phenomâ„¢ II Black Edition Dual-Core X620 with 3.1 Ghz. They both contain S1 sockets, so does that mean I can buy the Phenom and uprgade my laptop to this CPU and run SSE with no problems?

http://products.amd.com/en-us/NotebookCPUSideBySide.aspx?id=662&id=583

This is where I compared the two processors, on the AMD site. Is this a good choice?\

Scott

Master Captain · « **Reply #1 on:** August 16, 2010, 18:22:48 »

If they have the same socket ideally you should be able to switch them, if you're going to do this yourself i caution you to take the proper precautions to prevent damage to the cpu or other parts of your laptop. Laptops can be tricky to work on due to the tight space and smaller components, make sure you have an antistatic wrist strap so you dont ruin any of your parts and be very careful not to bend any pins on the cpu

dodweb · « **Reply #2 on:** August 17, 2010, 00:39:11 »

My first impression is that it wont work. Here is why:

The new CPU outputs 29% more heat than the old one. You would most likely have to build a new cooling solution. Watercooling or heatpipes?
The new CPU requires a 4th gen S1-socket, while you most likely only have a 3rd gen.
Somewhat of a sub-point, but Athlon II is designed for DDR2 RAM and the Phenom II for DDR3.

Saying that the Phenom II was willing to work well enough on your old hardware (I have not found a definite answer as to whether it is backwards compatible or not, mostly because very few are even considering it), and that you could manage the heat issue, you should check if your motherboard is otherwise able to work with the Phenom II. You would most likely have to build or hack a BIOS and chipset drivers to suit your needs.

Have you looked at the alternatives? Would for example an SSD give you considerably more performance? Changing to Windows 7 instead of Vista if that is your current OS? Better resource management(less programs running, core management, perhaps a clean OS install)? More/faster RAM, or ReadyBoost if applicable?

Will the availability of 2x1100MHz worth of processing capability actually solve the issues that make you consider this upgrade? What kind of graphics card do you have now? What about a used Asus XG Station (8600GT) if it works with your system, or other similar solutions? (http://www.externalgraphicscard.com/) Should you lack an ExpressCard port, "simply" extending the internal PCI Express bus to an external enclosure, add an ATX PSU on a common ground plane with the rest of the system and throwing in a desktop GFX card seems far easier than the suggested CPU switch.

How much does the new CPU cost anyway, compared the putting the money towards a more modern system (instead of keeping the old one alive a bit longer)?

trains · « **Reply #3 on:** August 17, 2010, 01:03:27 »

Well I have Windows 7 and 4 GB of ram. I can attach my dxdiag and if you can, possibly tell me the best idea. I just want to run SSE without any slow downs.

Scott

John1000 · « **Reply #4 on:** August 17, 2010, 01:10:35 »

check this thing out i can run shipsim 2008 at max settings and get a decent graphics card and it should be able to run SSE on like medium settings. it will total out at about 600 usa dollars

http://www.staples.com/HP-Pavilion-p6510f-Desktop-PC/product_886411?cmArea=FEATURED:SC3:CG71:DP4119

trains · « **Reply #5 on:** August 17, 2010, 01:58:35 »

That might be possible. I just need to make money lol. Good thing I have lots of stuff to sell. But if I can find a pc with at least 3 Ghz and a good processor, I'll need good money

Scott

dodweb · « **Reply #6 on:** August 17, 2010, 02:59:39 »

I honestly doubt you will be able to run SSE in any satisfactory way on your current PC. It is your graphics card that will be the real problem, not your CPU. The requirement is a 3GHz singlecore, while you have 2 2GHz cores. It has been hinted to (but not confirmed?) that SSE will support multithreading, meaning that your 2GHz dualcore will, very roughly, equal a 4GHz singlecore in performance.

However, the system linked to by Master Captain has the same integrated graphics chips as your laptop, and will not offer much of an upgrade unless you install a dedicated graphics card into it (upping the cost considerably). Easily another $200+.

Quote

Video card: Geforce 8800GT or ATI Radeon 4850 with 256MB ram (At least Shader model 3.0)

I am very unfamiliar with ATi graphics cards, but from what I can find out, the HD3500/4200 is much, much less capable than the 4850, which is the minimum requirement for an "ok" experience at low detail level.

As has been the general answer in similar threads though, it is a lot cheaper getting a desktop with good specs than a laptop. While there are great gaming "laptops", they are extremely expensive. It will be some time until there will be affordable laptops able to run SSE "without any slow downs" judging from the system requirements.

trains · « **Reply #7 on:** August 17, 2010, 04:34:05 »

Well I found a nice desktop at Staples.

http://www.staples.com/HP-Elite-HPE-210F-Desktop-PC/product_863093?cmArea=FEATURED:SC3:CG71:DP4119

I have found a way to get money. I can sell 1550 Yu-Gi-Oh!(yes I collected ages ago) for around $350.00 (US dollars) a train set for probably $45-50.00, a ton of VHS for maybe $35-45.00, a book for maybe $25.00, a Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Disk(original) for around $100.00(these are old and not sold anymore) some old Railroad Modeler magazines from 1976 and 1977 (bidding) an HO scale Santa Fe F7 by Life-Like (bidding) and more.

Yes I really want a desktop that can handle SSE. If anyone can find any others similar but cost less than what I found, let me know

Scott

Edit: I found another dekstop.

http://www.officemax.com/technology/computers/desktop-computers/product-prod3030482?history=48nuz2dd@vjivkyjm

I know that the Ghz is lower, but it's a quad-core processor. Would it still work?

dodweb · « **Reply #8 on:** August 17, 2010, 11:04:21 »

I do not know enough about ATi cards to say whether the first one is up to par or not, someone else should answer that one pretty soon, and perhaps offer a GFX card that is able to give you the troublefree experience you want (not just "works pretty well most of the time, except when..").

The second PC you have linked to, has the same graphics chipset (HD4200) as your laptop, not bringing anything on the graphics side.

You shouldnt have to worry about CPU speed. IF the game supports multithreading properly, a 2.5GHz quadcore cpu will give you roughly the equivalent of a 10GHz singlecore. Personally I have an old (2008) Intel i7-920 cpu, a quadcore running at 2.66GHz, and I am rarely able to put any serious load on it with any of the most modern games running at full everything. If I was on a tight budget, I would spend less on the CPU and RAM, and put everything towards a great GPU. You rarely need more than 4GB system memory + graphics memory for gaming, and you rarely feel the difference between a 2.5GHz quadcore and a 3.5GHz one.

trains · « **Reply #9 on:** August 17, 2010, 12:19:01 »

Alright, I looked at the graphics needed. I forgot about those

So I found this. Hopefully the graphics are good.

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4910510&CatId=4925

Scott

dodweb · « **Reply #10 on:** August 17, 2010, 14:22:23 »

I would probably go even higher with graphics. A quick google search says that the 9500 GT is "better than 8600 GT" and "competing against the HD 4650", and both cards are under the minimum requirements.

I've got a GTX470 myself and I'm happy with it (well, I sent it back last week after it stopped working.. both other than that), but it is a little overkill and quite pricey here at least. The new GTX 460, based on the all-new GF104, might be better suited for you? http://www.anandtech.com/show/3809/nvidias-geforce-gtx-460-the-200-king they start at around 200 dollars. I'd get the 1GB version with all its ROP's enabled. There is also a basic comparison between current nVidia and AMD graphics cards there.

Willmutt · « **Reply #11 on:** August 17, 2010, 14:38:56 »

Yeah, the gtx 460 is really good for its price, sometimes better than the 5850 from ati which costs around 100$ more!

trains · « **Reply #12 on:** August 17, 2010, 15:38:34 »

Pretty soon I'm gonna run out of desktops to find

I found a Gateway desktop for $529.99

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=6336127&CatId=4925

Is that any good. I'm not sure how the graphics compare with the required for SSE

Scott

Mad_Fred · « **Reply #13 on:** August 17, 2010, 15:42:09 »

Hi Scott,

The price is on the 'low side' to be honest, for something that would run SSE very well. $:-\$

This one seems to have integrated graphics, so.. that isn't going to cut it I am afraid.

Fred

trains · « **Reply #14 on:** August 17, 2010, 15:49:56 »

I was told by someone else to find compatible graphics if I want to run games like Ship Simulator or Trainz 2009. Any compatible graphics that could be put into a computer like this?

And hi Fred

Scott

Edit: Could this be any good?

http://www.circuitcity.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=6269814&CatId=4925

Kristian01 · « **Reply #15 on:** August 17, 2010, 16:57:42 »

That PC is ok,^^
It will run it well

Denis · « **Reply #16 on:** August 17, 2010, 17:23:45 »

Quote from: trains on August 17, 2010, 15:49:56

I was told by someone else to find compatible graphics if I want to run games like Ship Simulator or Trainz 2009. Any compatible graphics that could be put into a computer like this?

And hi Fred

Scott

Edit: Could this be any good?

http://www.circuitcity.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=6269814&CatId=4925

Hi Trains, the ATI 5450 doesn't perform very well. It's a very basic 3D video card, you can't count on much power with it. You can find a review here, with a comparative benchmark, where you'll see it's a the bottom of the chart ...

http://www.legitreviews.com/article/1202/6/

I don't say that to annoy you, off course - I just do not want you spend some money and be disapointed. This Desktop is not bad though, but if you want to run 3D games (like extremes) with good levels of performance and quality, you should consider adding 150/200 bucks more to add a good video card...

trains · « **Reply #17 on:** August 17, 2010, 17:36:51 »

Well these are the computers I could find

I mean if I can run SSE on my laptop, even if the settings aren't on high, then I'll take more time to look for a desktop.

I can also ask my grandfather next time I see him. He does his share of pc gaming like COD and all that. I'll ask him what his ideas on a computer are

Thanks to everyone for the help so far, and if an acceptable pc turns up online, let me know

Scott

(Although I do remember the first laptop I ran SS08 was bad, but it still ran fine with no issues and on high settings. Only Fraps slowed it down if anything)

Denis · « **Reply #18 on:** August 17, 2010, 17:44:15 »

Well, I browsed on the website you mentionned earlier, and, for example, this one would give much more power :

http://www.circuitcity.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=5611886&Sku=G180-0123

The ATI 5750 is a good video card, the CPU and ram are good (those specs are close to my Dell computer -same CPU, 6gB ram, ATI 5770-, and I can run Extremes beta very well with it).

You can see on the different pages of the review I gave in my previous post ( http://www.legitreviews.com/article/1202/6/ ) that the ATI 5750 performs much more than the 5450 !

trains · « **Reply #19 on:** August 17, 2010, 17:57:10 »

Thanks Denis

Looks like a nice pc. Just gotta get that money

I'll keep that one in mind

Scott

Author Topic: Thinking of upgrading CPU for SSE (Read 7793 times)