Upgrading an AMD CPU - value for money and likely issues...

[trjp]

So my PC isn't particularly high-end but I've been happy with it for 2+ years now. It's based on the venerable K10N78 motherboard and runs an AMD 245 (2.9Ghz 2 core) CPU with 4GB of RAM

Truth be told, there are times when it could use a boost tho. I've spent today encoding GBs of videos and it's been painful at time... I've checked and I'm OK on memory (for now, at least) - it's the CPU which could use a poke.

I have a few options because my Mobo takes a WIDE range of updates including (with a BIOS update) the latest 1055 and 1090 Phenoms - but they're pricey and I'd worry about the power/£ and heat/PSU-required aspect in particular (tho I need a new PSU anyway as this 440W is heading for it's 5th birthday and a GPU upgrade is looming too)

A 965 Black Series (3.4Ghz 4 core) is only £85ish but it's a 125W CPU - I'm not sure which 245 I have but they run from 45-65W so that's a BIG step-up in power required/heat generated!? Perhaps sticking with a 95W-or-less might be better? - or should I just go the whole hog and get a 6 core monster :) :)

Also - I'm guessing I have a chance of ducking a W7 reinstall - I've seen an Amd->Amd upgrade work without software changes before (W7 boots - moans about needing updates - reboots and everything is peachy)??

p.s. someone suggested the 955 95W edition but that seems Asian-only so 125W seems a must!?

[The JG Man]

I have the 965BE and, whilst I can't say it's quiet, as a processor it has had no problems and performs well. I can't really comment on power, obviously, that's up to you. I also don't necessarily think hexacores are worth it at the moment, as even the higher end games' recommended specs for processors tend to say "any quad core" or a rough clock speed that's usually easily met by most quad-cores.

[trjp]

Thanks for that - a quick check suggests I have a 65W 245 (the 45W is the 245e) but that's still doubling the thermal output (and thus probably doubling the required input!?)

I've been lucky in that this PC runs cool with a stock cooler, 1 case fan and the PSU fan but I'd probably need to ramp that up I suspect!?

[The JG Man]

My set-up with cooling is similar (GPU has a built-in one), except I bought a heat-sink (a cheap one, maybe about £15) for the CPU. The heat-sink, as a thing as opposed to the particular one, came recommended by the person who helped me build my rig. Obviously it's a bit louder now, but I've had zero problems with its temperature, although I haven't bothered to OC it.

[Sakkura]

You shouldn't need to reinstall Windows when you're just upgrading the CPU.

And I agree about hexacores - most games don't benefit much from more than 4 cores. Some don't even show much difference between 2 and 4.

[Alex Bakke]

Thanks for that - a quick check suggests I have a 65W 245 (the 45W is the 245e) but that's still doubling the thermal output (and thus probably doubling the required input!?)

I've been lucky in that this PC runs cool with a stock cooler, 1 case fan and the PSU fan but I'd probably need to ramp that up I suspect!?

You might need to, yes, but it's not as big an investment as you'd think. This cooler is a great investment, as it'll fit on pretty much every major CPU socket currently on the market - Including 1155 (Sandy/Ivy Bridge), AM3, AM2 etc. which means you'll be able to carry it over several upgrades (Assuming you'll go for something like a Sandy Bridge CPU in a few years!). It'll easy beat any stock cooler that comes with your new CPU, and is very easy to install.

[Sakkura]

Sandy Bridge won't be available in a few years. But then it's probably going to fit LGA 1150 too (Haswell and Broadwell).