upgrading my processor is it worth it or save for a new system

[mytymaus007]

I have in my PC now AMD Athlon 64 3500+ 2.2GHz
Ram 1.25Gigs

At this point I can upgrade memory to 4 gigs for $80.00

These are the chips my board accepts: Which one would be the best processor for Emulators and Mame and is it worth upgrading:


AM2 Athlon 64 FX FX-62(F2)  2800MHz (2x1MB,2000,Socket AM2)  YES 
Phenom Quad-Core 9750 (B3)  2400MHz (4x512KB,3600,Socket AM2+)  YES 
Phenom Quad-Core 9650 (B3)  2300MHz (4x512KB,3600,Socket AM2+)  YES 
Phenom Quad-Core 9550 (B3)  2200MHz (4x512KB,3600,Socket AM2+)  YES 
Phenom Quad-Core 9350e (B3) (65W)  2000MHz (4x512KB,1800,Socket AM2+)  YES 
Phenom Quad-Core 9150e (B3) (65W)  1800MHz (4x512KB,1600,Socket AM2+)  YES 
Phenom Quad-Core 9100e (B2)  1800 MHz (512KBx4,1600,Socket AM2+)  YES 
Phenom™ Triple-Core 8750 (B3)  2400MHz (512KB x3,3600,Socket AM2+)  YES 
Phenom™ Triple-Core 8650 (B3)  2300MHz (512KB x3,3600,Socket AM2+)  YES 
Phenom™ Triple-Core 8600 (B2)  2300MHz (512KB x3,3600,Socket AM2+)  YES 
Phenom™ Triple-Core 8450 (B3)  2100MHz (512KB x3,3600,Socket AM2+)  YES 
Phenom™ Triple-Core 8400 (B2)  2100MHz (512KB x3,3600,Socket AM2+)  YES 
Phenom™ Triple-Core 8250e (B3)  1900MHz (,3600,AM2+)  YES 
Phenom™ II Triple-Core 705e (C2) (65W)  2500MHz (3x512KB,4000,AM2+)  YES 
Phenom™ II Triple-Core 700e (C2) (65W)  2400MHz (3x512KB,4000,AM2+)  YES 
Athlon II Quad-Core 605e (C2) (65W)  2300MHz (512KB X 4,4000,Socket AM3)  YES 
Athlon II Quad-Core 600e (C2) (65W)  2200MHz (512KB X 4,4000,Socket AM3)  YES 
Phenom™ II Dual-Core 550 (C2) (80W)  3100MHz (512KB X 2,4000,Socket AM3)  YES 
Phenom™ II Dual-Core 545 (C2) (80W)  3000MHz (512KB X 2,4000,Socket AM3)  YES 
Athlon II Triple-Core 405e (C2) (45W)  2300MHz (3x512KB,4000,AM2+)  YES 
Athlon II Triple-Core 400e (C2) (45W)  2200MHz (3x512KB,4000,AM2+)  YES 
Athlon II Dual-core 255 (C2) (65W)  3100MHz (1MB X 2,4000,Socket AM3)  YES 
Athlon II Dual-core 250 (C2) (65W)  3000MHz (1MB X 2,4000,Socket AM3)  YES 
Phenom™ II Dual-Core 245 (C2) (65W)  2900MHz (1MB,4000,AM2+)  YES 
Athlon II Dual-core 240e (C2) (45W)  2800MHz (1MB X 2,4000,Socket AM3)  YES 
Athlon II Dual-core 240 (C2) (65W)  2800MHz (1MB X 2,4000,Socket AM3)  YES 
Athlon II Dual-core 235e (C2) (45W)  2700MHz (1MB X 2,4000,Socket AM3)  YES 
Athlon II Dual-core 215 (C2) (65W)  2700MHz (1MB X 2,4000,Socket AM3)  YES 
AM2 Athlon 64 x2 5200+(F3) (65W)  2600MHz (2x1MB,2000,Socket AM2)  YES 
AM2 Athlon 64 x2 5200+(F2)  2600MHz (2x1MB,2000,Socket AM2)  YES 
AM2 Athlon 64 x2 5200+ (G2) (65W)  2700Mhz (2x513KB,2000,AM2+)  YES 
AM2 Athlon 64 x2 5200+ (G1)  2700Mhz (2x512KB,2000,Socket AM2)  YES 
AM2 Athlon 64 x2 5000+(G1)  2600MHz (2x512KB,2000,Socket AM2)  YES 
AM2 Athlon 64 x2 5000+(F3)  2600MHz (2x512KB,2000,Socket AM2)  YES 
AM2 Athlon 64 x2 5000+(F2)  2600MHz (2x512KB,2000,Socket AM2)  YES 
AM2 Athlon 64 x2 4800+(G2) (65W)  2500MHz (2x512KB,2000,Socket AM2)  YES 
AM2 Athlon 64 x2 4800+(G1)  2500MHz (2x512KB,2000,Socket AM2)  YES 
AM2 Athlon 64 x2 4800+(F2)  2400MHz (2x1MB,2000,Socket AM2)  YES 
AM2 Athlon 64 x2 4600+(F2) (65W)  2400MHz (2x512KB,2000,Socket AM2)  YES 
AM2 Athlon 64 x2 4400+(G1)  2300MHz (2x512KB,2000,Socket AM2)  YES 
AM2 Athlon 64 x2 4400+(F2)  2200MHz (2x1MB,2000,Socket AM2)  YES 
AM2 Athlon 64 x2 4200+(F2)  2200MHz (2x512KB,2000,Socket AM2)  YES 
AM2 Athlon 64 x2 3800+(F3)  2000MHz (2x512KB,2000,Socket AM2)  YES 
AM2 Athlon 64 x2 3800+(F2) (35W)  2000MHz (2x512KB,2000MHz,Socket AM2)  YES 
AM2 Athlon 64 x2 3600+(G1)  1900MHz (2x512KB,2000,Socket AM2)  YES 
AM2 Athlon 64 x2 3600+(F2)  2000MHz (2x512KB,2000,Socket AM2)  YES 
Athlon X2 BE-2400 (G2)  2300Mhz (2x512KB,2000,Socket AM2)  YES 
Athlon X2 BE-2350 (G2)  2100Mhz (2x512KB,2000,Socket AM2)  YES 
Athlon X2 BE-2350 (G1)  2100Mhz (2x512KB,2000,Socket AM2)  YES 
Athlon X2 BE-2300 (G2)  1900Mhz (2x512KB,2000,Socket AM2)  YES 
Athlon X2 BE-2300 (G1)  1900Mhz (2x512KB,2000,Socket AM2)  YES 
AM2 Athlon 64 4000+(F3)  2600MHz (512KB,2000,Socket AM2)  YES 
AM2 Athlon 64 4000+(F2)  2600MHz (512KB,2000,Socket AM2)  YES 
AM2 Athlon 64 3800+(G1)  2400MHz (512KB,2000,Socket AM2)  YES 
AM2 Athlon 64 3800+(F3)  2400MHz (512KB,2000,Socket AM2)  YES 
AM2 Athlon 64 3800+(F2)  2400MHz (512KB,2000,Socket AM2)  YES 
AM2 Athlon 64 3500+(G1)  2200MHz (512KB,2000,Socket AM2)  YES 

[Paul Olson]

I don't think it would be worth upgrading. Unless you can get to an Intel core 2 duo (clocked at 3 - 4 Ghz) or better, you really won't be able to play a whole lot more.

[newmanfamilyvlogs]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103896

Going to dual cores is about the best you can do. If your board really does AM3, then at $63USD this is pretty good bang for the buck.

[DillonFoulds]

I'm using the Athlon II 260 (half a baby step higher than the 255 that cotmm linked above) in a couple systems, and i can vouch for what he said.

They're cheap processors, and they do a pretty nice job running a full hyperspin wheel; dreamcast, n64, playstation, and arcade emulators at 100%+ framerates.

Any CPU higher than this one, would just help things run more smooth, and that's about it. Rather than performance, you're just paying for more stability.

Of course, that's just my humble opinion, and it should be taken with a grain of salt.

[BadMouth]

I think a $70 processor would be worth it.  I wouldn't bother buying more than 2 gig total memory, if any.

2.2Ghz to a 3.2Ghz dual core actually gets the 3D fighting games over the stuttering sound hump, even with a 32bit OS.

With a 64bit OS and all unecessary background crap turned off, it will play everything but the biggest processor hogs (SF Rush, Gauntlet Legends).
NFL Blitz is playable and stable, but does slowdown and have sound skips occasionally.

[mytymaus007]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103896

Going to dual cores is about the best you can do. If your board really does AM3, then at $63USD this is pretty good bang for the buck.

Seems like a good price for dual core $70 but would Quad core be better or it doesnt make sense for the price difference Also wouldnt Hyperspin and other Consoles benifit from more memory

[newmanfamilyvlogs]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103885

at the moment its diminishing returns past 2 in mame.
this also has half the cache, which is important in emulation.

[Donkbaca]

My advice?  What game is it that you can't play now that you want to play?  Make a list, look them up in MAWS, if the driver is "preliminary" don't bother, it still won't run.  That is unless you want to dump a bunch of cash to run something like gauntlet legends and have it work at 80%, and you somehow think that is better than just using the dreamcast port...

[mytymaus007]

My advice?  What game is it that you can't play now that you want to play?  Make a list, look them up in MAWS, if the driver is "preliminary" don't bother, it still won't run.  That is unless you want to dump a bunch of cash to run something like gauntlet legends and have it work at 80%, and you somehow think that is better than just using the dreamcast port...

As of today i would like just to have my hyperspin wheel spin without stuttering and maybe be able to play Sega Saturn and Playstation Emulators

[newmanfamilyvlogs]

Then grab a dual core Athlon II chip at as much as you care to pay.

What video card do you have? That'll make a difference in PSX and Saturn emulation as well.

[mytymaus007]

This is what i have paid $16 ATI Radeon X1300 Video Card 128MB DVI PCI Express. Whats good enough for all emulators. Is there one i can use if i build a new system in the future.

[newmanfamilyvlogs]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161315
how much you want to spend? This would be a big boost, but depending on the settings you run, you may not need much more than what you have.

[mytymaus007]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161315
how much you want to spend? This would be a big boost, but depending on the settings you run, you may not need much more than what you have.

Looks good but i have Pci Express 1.0, is it backwards compatable, also would i need to upgrade the power supply, how the Arcade VGA card from Ultimarc

[mytymaus007]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161315
how much you want to spend? This would be a big boost, but depending on the settings you run, you may not need much more than what you have.

Looks good but i have Pci Express 1.0, is it backwards compatable, also would i need to upgrade the power supply, how the Arcade VGA card from Ultimarc

Ahh yes it says 400 watts or more think I need to upgrade the power supply. All these upgrades sounds like a money pit might be better to buy a new system

[newmanfamilyvlogs]

Well by "new system" that's essentially what you're building.. I'm a little concerned to think that your board is only PCI Express 1.0 but supports AM3. This seems wrong. Do you know the model of your motherboard?


And as for ArcadeVGA, unless you are running an actual arcade monitor, it will do you no good.

Here's a less powerful card with lighter requirements for power:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121385

Either way I'd go with the CPU upgrade then see how things work and worry about video second. The X1300 might work out for you.

[mytymaus007]

This is my motherboard a replacement that i purchased for a compaq: http://www.pcchips.com.tw/PCCWebSite/Support/CPU_Support_Model.aspx?detailid=415&CategoryID=1&MenuID=69&LanID=2

[newmanfamilyvlogs]

Ah, ok. Here's where it used to be sold on Newegg, just for a more concise listing of capabilities:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813185113

I noticed it's got a Geforce 6100 series card integrated on it.. I need to do some more research because I don't remember much about that generation of card, but I'm wondering if the 6100 won't actually be a more capable device.

[DillonFoulds]

It won't. I've used an onboard 6xxx series (fairly certain it's a 6100, i don't fully recall though), and it chugged pretty hard on PSX and Dreamcast emulators.

For MAME it's fine, but to get the other emulators going I upgraded to an Asus HD4350. Everything is nice and smooth now.

This is with my Athlon II X2 260. A higher CPU would be a welcome upgrade, but I'm not sure it's really that necessary?

[newmanfamilyvlogs]

To clarify, I meant more capable than the X1300. Certainly the newer cards mentioned are far more powerful. Either way they are both older devices.

[Blanka]

Keep the bucks for the ram in your piggy bank. 1.25 is more than enough for emulation. Together with the 70 bucks for the processor, you're halfway a fresh 32nm i5 system with 4ghz turbo-boost.

[mytymaus007]

Keep the bucks for the ram in your piggy bank. 1.25 is more than enough for emulation. Together with the 70 bucks for the processor, you're halfway a fresh 32nm i5 system with 4ghz turbo-boost.

Any complete systems you prefer

[ark_ader]

If it is a 939 get a X2 otherwise dump it for an Intel 2Core.