What CPU should I get for my MB (MSI K8N NEO2)

[Panneskjegg]

Hey diddeli ho!

Im a hobby gamer, and im hooked on Team Fortress 2!

The problem is that the game lags a lot. I want to run it SMOOTH.

My current gear is:

-AMD 3000+ (1.8ghz)
-2gb ram
-Gainward 7800 GS bliss (512ram)
-MSI K8N NEO2 Platinum
-Win XP (32 bit)

3dmark06 score: 3980 (Almost got 1000 more score just by OCing the GPU some)

A new and better CPU will make that lag disappear, I hope. Or is it my GPU that is holding me back ?

If a new CPU will help my lag disappear, which one should I get?

I have looked at some online stores, and these are my options:

1. AMD Athlon 64 4000+ 2.6GHz (150$)
2. AMD Athlon 64 3800+ 2.4GHz (115$)
3. AMD Athlon 64 4200+ X2 S-939 2.2GHz 2x512KB TRAY (150$)

Im not certain if my motherboard supports "X2", do I need some special MB for that CPU?
Link to my MB:
http://www.msicomputer.com/product/p_spec.asp?model=k8n_neo2_platinum

If I can't use the X2 on my MB, I have to go with either 1. or 2. If there ain't a huge performance difference between those 2, I'll just take the cheapest.

What do you recommend?

 

[TimoneX]

Where did those CPU prices come from?!?

You can get a 939 x2 manchester for under $50. Like this one:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103222

Frankly I'm not crazy about your vid card either, but I wouldn't spend much at all on an AGP card. Neo2 is AGP if I recall rightly? You can get a new mobo & CPU for the cost of the CPUs you mentioned, but if you're doing that then don't get 939, get AM2(+). Of course then you have to have a new video card as it would be PCI Ex only.

 

[Panneskjegg]

Where did those CPU prices come from?!?

You can get a 939 x2 manchester for under $50. Like this one:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103222

Frankly I'm not crazy about your vid card either, but I wouldn't spend much at all on an AGP card. Neo2 is AGP if I recall rightly? You can get a new mobo & CPU for the cost of the CPUs you mentioned, but if you're doing that then don't get 939, get AM2(+). Of course then you have to have a new video card as it would be PCI Ex only.

I live in Norway, and pretty much everything is expensive here

A new computer would be sweet. But alot more expensive as well (Motherboard, CPU, RAM, PCI express card, and probably a new PSU as well).
So, for now, I will just upgrade my CPU.

Hmm... Perhaps it isn't a bad idea ordering a CPU from across the borders.. I only have to pay shipping and 25% VAT. It would still end up being less expensive than buying it here in Norway.

Anyway! I have to know which CPU I should go for..

 

[TimoneX]

OIC. You didn't list your nationality. I like the one I linked to previously for absolute "rock bottom" price/performance. If you don't intend to do any overclocking then this X2 4200+ Toledo is a great deal at $70.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103053

I have picked up two of these in the last few weeks and they've both been good for around 2.85Ghz with only minor voltage bumps. Good cheap duals.

 

[Panneskjegg]

It seems my MB supports X2 Technology. I guess I'll just buy an AMD Athlon 64 X2 4000

 

[JamesXP]

I think it does... but you will need to update your bios afaik.

 

[jonspd]

I think it does... but you will need to update your bios afaik.

yea update before you swap...



http://global.msi.com.tw/index.php?...o=587&maincat_no=1&cat2_no=171&cat3_no=6#menu

supported list

and according to that I would go with a 170 or 175 or 165 if none of the other 2...

 

[Panneskjegg]

yea update before you swap...



http://global.msi.com.tw/index.php?...o=587&maincat_no=1&cat2_no=171&cat3_no=6#menu

supported list

and according to that I would go with a 170 or 175 or 165 if none of the other 2...

Hm. For GAMING only, which CPU is the best?

Opteron 175 (2.2ghz) or X2 4200+ (2.2ghz) ?

 

[jonspd]

175 4 sho

 

[jonspd]

do a price grabber you can get a 180 for $175 I think stock clocks are 2.4ghz with a 12x muilt.

 

[Panneskjegg]

do a price grabber you can get a 180 for $175 I think stock clocks are 2.4ghz with a 12x muilt.

I can get an:

AMD Opteron 175 (2.2ghz) for 220$

or

AMD Opteron 180 (2.4ghz) for 265$

Is it worth paying those extra ~50$ for 0.2 more ghz?
Also.. They are not in stock until ~december

 

[Nebulous]

I can get an:

AMD Opteron 175 (2.2ghz) for 220$

or

AMD Opteron 180 (2.4ghz) for 265$

Is it worth paying those extra ~50$ for 0.2 more ghz?
Also.. They are not in stock until ~december

I'd go for the Opty 175. Easily clock it to 2.5GHz prolly with default vcore

 

[Panneskjegg]

Ok. Cheers

Now the boring part is to wait for the CPU to show up in my mail