New Computer

[Deann]

Ok, thank you very much... Helped me a lot with my issues... /salute to you my friend!

[Deann]

Would just like to do a final check before i commit to buying ><

This will run 5 clients while being smooth in Av/northrend/raids etc?

~Dean

[Sajuuk]

I can't give a honest guarantee on that. All I can say with my current knowledge that it's one of the best-for-your-buck purchases.

For your current set up it is a sizable upgrade, and smooth performance is more than just a high-end CPU, other parts of your system come into play, for instance you're using onboard video for gaming.

If you're satisfied with your current set up for right now, I urge you to do more research, don't just take my word for it. That's like saying a guy on the internet told you to invest in Enron right before it tanked. Get some opinions from more experienced users on overclocking forums (overclock.net is one, hardforum.com is another (although you need a non-hotmail/yahoo/gmail email address to register). Read some reviews/i7 comparisons (here is one: http://www.pureoverclock.com/review.php?id=794&page=1).

The biggest reason I urge this is so you can decide what is best and what will fit your needs. Will you need a black edition CPU with an unlocked multiplier, or will you need a regular processor? I'm sure there are some Phenom II users on this board, maybe if they see this thread and leave some input.

[Deann]

Ok, Thank you

I'll order it tommow and go from there Can't thank you enough for your help

[Sajuuk]

I did edit my post above to point out some things, but let us know how it works out! Make sure to take before/after notes on performance so you can see how good the upgrade was!

[Deann]

Ok, I'll take note and do a bit more research but with my limited knowledge on setting things up, i'm welcoming all sources of help :P

Right now i can barely do 2 chars when 1 is in northrend, I start to lagg, my cpu just can't handle it... I spoke with some on irc and they confirmed that it should be able to hold up 5, but i may initially start with 4 just incase.

After looking into overclocking, I'm not experianced enough to jump onto that boat yet.. Possibly in the future when i look to getting a new computer altogether, but for now i'm happy with the research etc on the Phenom.

As for the Cpu, From researching into Phenom II and the i7, and for me the price difference between them and certain results shown in the link you posted, personally don't justify the extra costs i would have.. I would possibly consider an i7 in a new pc, but as i'm upgrading my current one, for now i'll stick with the Phenom.

As for the black edition version of Phenom, I feel at the moment there is no need for an unlocked multiplier as at this time i have no intetions of attempting to overclock as i'm a noob at it... However; after looking into the black edition in terms of specs against the normal one suggested earlier, Would the black version be compatible with my computer?

The link posted earlier which you said would be fine,
http://www.amazon.co.uk/AMD-HDX810WF...931649&sr=8-12
This states Quad core, where as my computer is dual core, Or is it i'm missing something and x2 Dual Core is a quad core?

Also, if anyone else has something to say.. Please do, Would like as much feedback etc as possible!

[Sajuuk]

Your current processor is a Dual core, yes. The one you want to get is a quad core. We're switching out processors, going from a dual to a quad.

Yes, the black edition should be compatible, as the only difference between a black/non black is that the CPU multiplier is locked on the non-black. What does this mean to you? It's easier to overclock.

Also, keep in mind that you're using onboard video, which isn't exactly the best in the world. In addition to a new processor, I'd suggest looking into a newer graphics card. Ati has some of the best bang-for-buck graphics cards out there. Remember, Northrend can be pretty graphically intensive. While the CPU will definitely allow you to run five clients, upgrading your GPU (among other things, but your onboard is pretty weak) will allow you to get more performance while running five.


teehee. My system is all Intel/Nvidia and I'm recommending AMD/ATI products. Well, it's not like I'm a great big fanboy.

Link to one of the less expensive 4850s (Lower end of ati's newer graphics cards): http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sapphire-111...1946161&sr=1-5

Just to mention: right now with the above CPU/GPU we're sitting at right around 200Euros. (pre tax/shipping)

[jak3676]

As for the Cpu, From researching into Phenom II and the i7, and for me the price difference between them and certain results shown in the link you posted, personally don't justify the extra costs i would have.. I would possibly consider an i7 in a new pc, but as i'm upgrading my current one, for now i'll stick with the Phenom.

Can't say I looked to make sure your mobo can run it - but assuming you can, there is really no reason to go i7 instead of the cheaper upgrade to a phenom II. Anandtech.com just had a nice review on the most recent Phenom II. Short version is that it outperformed the 9650 by a fair bit and was much cheaper. It traded blows back and forth with the i7 920 depending on application. When you concider the price of a i7 mobo vs a Phenom II mobo, then the Phenom II was a fair amount cheaper. If I was only looking at buying new, I'd probably still go i7 because it should have a long future upgrade path, but when money is a concern and you already have a AM2+ mobo, then I wouldn't think twice about going AMD. You won't be loosing anything CPU wise.

I think you already have 8GB of RAM, so you're good there. GPU and amount of video memory will be the next thing to check. For a lot of the northrend stuff and dalaran you'll probably want at least 1GB of video memory. But I;m still running a 8800GT with 512MB of memory and it works - just have to lower settings quite a bit (slaves are all as low as they can go).

I'd suggest something like http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sapphire-RAD...946855&sr=1-22 instead, or http://www.amazon.co.uk/PEAK-RADEON-...947012&sr=1-31 if you want to spend a little more.

[Deann]

Hehe, Thanks for the clarification on that Nearly 4 am here, so forgive my mistakes

After comparing the differences between the black edition and the normal edition, Black offers upgrades and the potential for easier overclocking should i need to in the future... And looking on Amazon, a £20 difference between the 2 I have chosen to get the black edition.
The one i'm looking at is:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/AMD-HDZ940XC...1946249&sr=1-2
Please don't hesitate to inform me if i'm wrong :P

Also, yes i'm aware that with upgrading my computers cpu etc, I will upgrade my graphics card also.
As it happens, i have a Nvidia geforce 9600 gt spare, but I'm unsure as to whether it is any good with the cpu or if it's even compatible... Where can i see what kind of graphics cards are compatible with my motherboard?

[Sajuuk]

Hehe, Thanks for the clarification on that Nearly 4 am here, so forgive my mistakes

After comparing the differences between the black edition and the normal edition, Black offers upgrades and the potential for easier overclocking should i need to in the future... And looking on Amazon, a £20 difference between the 2 I have chosen to get the black edition.
The one i'm looking at is:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/AMD-HDZ940XC...1946249&sr=1-2
Please don't hesitate to inform me if i'm wrong :P

Also, yes i'm aware that with upgrading my computers cpu etc, I will upgrade my graphics card also.
As it happens, i have a Nvidia geforce 9600 gt spare, but I'm unsure as to whether it is any good with the cpu or if it's even compatible... Where can i see what kind of graphics cards are compatible with my motherboard?

The 9600GT (with 512MB RAM) is the EXACT card I used for over a year. The only concern you would have with a graphics card is if it's AGP or PCIE, and I don't think any AGP 9600GT cards were ever made ( or if any 9xxx series cards were made with AGP). The second concern I'd have is if you can power it. For more details specs on your motherboard, here's the page for it: http://www.asrock.com/mb/overview.as...10N78&s=AM2%2b . The 9600GT is a PCIE card, your motherboard has one PCIE slot.

Read the above as: You shouldn't have an issue with the 9600GT, unless you have a power supply with a low wattage rating. (Read: Less than 400W, power requirements taken from Nvidia's page on the 9600GT)

I think you'll see a noticeable difference even now if you plopped in the 9600GT.