Worth upgrading a 3700+

[mithrandir]

I originally had a 3200 and upgraded to a 3700+. However in some games when Im monitoring the load it seems the CPU is maxed out at 100%. Would it be worth my while to upgrade to a dual core 4200?

(My 3700 has a 1mb L2 cache whereas the dual core has 2 x 512mb L2 cache)

 

[Ham]

The upgrade would be purely to obtain dual core. If theres nowhere else you could boost performance more (eg extra ram) and you can afford it yeah go for it. Dual core is rather good after all

 

[mithrandir]

Thanks Ham.

I might hold out upgrading for several months. I've read that AMD are due to have price cuts to make way for the quad cores and also compete with Intel.

I think for me there's not much need for a dual core (mainly gaming and watching DVDs)

 

[deathwish]

the duel core is 512kb per core not 512mb

same memory just split over 2 cores

 

[!TIMMY!]

rofl 2x512mb now that would be good!

 

[mithrandir]

the duel core is 512kb per core not 512mb

same memory just split over 2 cores

lol. sorry!

 

[Rastalovich]

hmmm my only concern would be the disappointment u get when u switch to a x2 and find the game only uses 1 core.

Which games do u play mostly ?

 

[mithrandir]

Games at the moment:

Oblivion

C&C3- Tiberium Wars

STALKER

Also:

Company of Heroes

Quake 4

Doom3

Prey

AoE 3

 

[FarFarAway]

I'd say with 2gb RAM an X2 would be a noticeable improvement after going from single core to dual core several times on 939 it deffo makes a difference

Not so much in games but after games and in windows...like the time your system takes to recover from a game

 

[Doddsy]

I've got another suggestion for you, have you tried overclocking? (I know you probably have!)

I only ask because I currently have the same chip sitting at 2.8 and it's never had a problem with anything I've thrown at it. Admittedly I've never used a dual core for gaming so I can't make a direct comparison, and also I'm currently upgrading myself but I'd say unless you just have a little cash to burn save up for a proper upgrade.

 

[deathwish]

lol. sorry!

no need to be sorry!

 

[PP Mguire]

Hmmm. I have a 3000+ and an X2 4800+. In games i see no difference except load times are faster on the DC. The X2 is stock and the 3000+ is at 2.5ghz. So, just wait till you get something affordable. Youd be better off getting a nice 2gig set of dual channel ram instead.

 

[mithrandir]

Thanks for the replies. I think I might holdout for the time being it seems games are not really utilising dual core and it'll be crzay to splash out on a CPU that is on par to my 3700+ (unless I spot a bargain ).

I'm still waiting for my 2x1gb ram I ordered last week. Should be getting them today.

 

[FarFarAway]

Ye the RAM will make more difference, especially if your not a huge multi-tasker

 

[Bogel]

I try to multi-task, but the computer is to fast for me In the end i am the one who can't keep up.