Phenom2 X2 550 vs i5 (Upgrade Advice)

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Commander Jaco

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Hey guys

I'm planning on upgrading my PC, now I have two options:

Option 1:
AMD Phenom II X2 550 Black Edition Processor - 3.1GHz AM3, 512k L2, 6MB L3 - Boxed
http://www.prophecy.co.za/phenom-black-edition-dual-core-p-52289.html
MSI 790GX-G65 AMD 790GX Motherboard w/A8 + G + LK + FW + SATA2 RAID + DVI + HDMI
http://www.sybaritic.co.za/store/product_info.php?products_id=24966

This option is R2300

Option 2:
Intel Core i5 750 2.66GHz LGA1156 Processor
http://www.sybaritic.co.za/store/product_info.php?products_id=26923
Asus P7P55D IP55 Motherboard w/A8 + LK + FWa + SATA2 RAID
http://www.sybaritic.co.za/store/product_info.php?cPath=81_593&products_id=26921

This option is R3800

Now I do know that option two would perform better, but I need to know to which degree? Will I see a big difference in games or should I rather keep the extra R1500 to add to my next Graphics upgrade?

Any advice wouyld be appreciated

Thanks
 
If money is an issue, I would personally would stick with Option 1.

But then again if u get the right batch of X2 550 BE u can unlock the other 2 "dead" cores via the ACC module that some motherboards have built-in.

Otherwise Option 2 is a quad-core and would perform between 15 - 20% better in all areas of pc, including games.

P.S. If u have a really bad gfx card, then Option 1 without a doubt.
 
Commander Jaco said:
Hey guys

I'm planning on upgrading my PC, now I have two options:

Option 1:
AMD Phenom II X2 550 Black Edition Processor - 3.1GHz AM3, 512k L2, 6MB L3 - Boxed
http://www.prophecy.co.za/phenom-black-edition-dual-core-p-52289.html
MSI 790GX-G65 AMD 790GX Motherboard w/A8 + G + LK + FW + SATA2 RAID + DVI + HDMI
http://www.sybaritic.co.za/store/product_info.php?products_id=24966

This option is R2300

Option 2:
Intel Core i5 750 2.66GHz LGA1156 Processor
http://www.sybaritic.co.za/store/product_info.php?products_id=26923
Asus P7P55D IP55 Motherboard w/A8 + LK + FWa + SATA2 RAID
http://www.sybaritic.co.za/store/product_info.php?cPath=81_593&products_id=26921

This option is R3800

Now I do know that option two would perform better, but I need to know to which degree? Will I see a big difference in games or should I rather keep the extra R1500 to add to my next Graphics upgrade?

Any advice wouyld be appreciated

Thanks
Click to expand...

Take option 1 but with a 955 instead.

Or another option take the 620.
 
Upgrading route?

@ Commander Jaco
You could take a X3 720 BE too, it entirely depends what kind of gfx card u got :)
 
I've got a hd4850 and I'm planning on upgrading to a hd5850 as soon as they become a little cheaper. What is the batch number I would need to unlock the cores? I'm not buying that CPU for that reason but it would be a huge bonus. But I need to know if the i5 will be worth the extra 1500 in the next year, is the performance gap enough to justify the extra?
 
Commander Jaco said:
I've got a hd4850 and I'm planning on upgrading to a hd5850 as soon as they become a little cheaper. What is the batch number I would need to unlock the cores? I'm not buying that CPU for that reason but it would be a huge bonus. But I need to know if the i5 will be worth the extra 1500 in the next year, is the performance gap enough to justify the extra?
Click to expand...

In terms of gaming the R1500 is always going to be better spent on a graphics card. If you can't get at least the 5850 with option 2 then option 1 it is.
 
Cheaper system with better vga card.

I have no idea what vga card you have but i would rather have a slower cpu and good vga card than fast cpu with mid range gpu.
 
Last edited:
Roobir said:
Howbout another option :P

Option 3:
DFI LANPARTY UT P45-T3RS IP45 Motherboard w/A8 + 2LK + FW + SATA2 RAID
http://www.sybaritic.co.za/store/product_info.php?cPath=81_226&products_id=39604
Intel Core 2 Quad Q8300 2.5GHz 4MB 1333Mhz FSB LGA775 Processor
http://www.sybaritic.co.za/store/product_info.php?cPath=21_390&products_id=19236
R2507

The Intel blood deep down inside you will surface and force its will upon thou!

*roll credits*
Click to expand...

You do know socket 775 is being discontinued right? Why would you want to the guy to a dying platform.

Sigh. Intel fanboys...

I did see though that sybaritic have the 965 for R1900. That's i7 class performance there.
 
Maybe Is should check out the 965, but I would love to unlock the other cores on the 550 :D but I might consider it, I'm not going for the DFI motherboard cause I only believe in Asus, Gigabyte and MSI, and the core 2's and 775 are dying out, I need to get a mobo that will be with me for another CPU upgrade.
 
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