CPU/System Upgrade Opinion?

[destrolennox]

Hello All,

I hope you don't mind me asking this as it is not entirely GameEx specific...

Right now I am running GameEx on a slightly modified old HP media center pc (m7250n).

The current specs are:

Intel Pentium D CPU 2.8ghz

3 gigs DDR2 Ram

GeForce 7900 GTO Graphics Card

Windows 7 32-bit

Currently 2D Mame and console games up to early-n64 work great. However 3D MAME, the really cool n64 games (F-Zero X, Golden Eye) and modern PC games struggle.

With my current system, what is the most cost effective way to boost speed?

My processor is socket LGA 775, and I have found a few LGA 775 CPU options ranging from ($75 - $300!!!!) available from NewEgg.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100007671%20600005851&IsNodeId=1&name=LGA%20775

One I am interested in is an Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Wolfdale 3.0GHz ($170):

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115037

Does it make sense to spent almost $200 on a processor that is already outdated? My problem is that going with a more modern socket processor will require me to essentially build up a new machine (new mobo, DDR 3 ram, possibly new gfx card...)

Also, I have heard that emulators only cannot utilize multiple cores. How does this affect my purchase decision?

Lastly, I have realized that I am running a 32 bit version of win7 when my current processor actually supports 64 bit. I have struggled to find consensus on whether this is hurting my performance. Any ideas?

As always, thanks for the input!

-Brendan

[Kustom Kid]

I just bought 2 new motherboard and processor combos, plus 4GB (2x2GB) of RAM for each for $400 out the door, and $30 back in mail in rebates from MicroCenter. You could probably get a case, dedicated video card, power supply, and a hard drive for another hundred. So, for about $300 you'd have a new, current generation computer. If you can put your copy of Win7 on it that would save you another $110. Heck, you could harvest the hard drive from your current PC if you wanted to, and the motherboards I bought both have decent onboard graphics so that should save you another few bucks.

I'm pretty sure Dolphin (GameCube and Wii emulator), and Model 2 can utilize multiple cores.

As for the 64bit 32bit thing, the only difference I notice is that Windows is able to address all 4GB of RAM in the 64 bit version. There seems to be little perceived difference, to me at least, between the two given the applications I am using.

[destrolennox]

Thanks for the reply. I guess I want to know how spending between $100-200 on an upgraded LGA 775 processor on my current system would compare to spending between $300-400 on completely updated components (like you did through microcenter).

Any chance you can link to the processor/mobo/ram you mentioned?

Thanks for the advice,

Brendan

[Adultery]

I rocked an Intel DC Wolfdale E7500. Got it from Tiger Direct for $120. Love it!

Really makes my rig run smoothly. Was worth it even though it's outdated. Wouldn't have changed a thing.

[Draco1962]

Have to agree with both Adultery and KustomKid. It really depends on what you can afford at the moment or in the near future. I feel that 64-bit is the way to go, especially if you have more than 4GB installed (that is the limit for 32-bit) and are looking at more of a HTPC setup vs a cab. Otherwise, 32-bit should be just fine. I know there are others in the forum with similar setup to yours with a dual core processor and 2 GB RAM running 64-bit - hopefully they will chime in on their experiences running the higher demand N64 and modern PC games. I don't see you running Crysis on it, but some of the lower demand games should be fine.

[Kustom Kid]

Draco hit the nail on the head. For me, it made more sense to upgrade the whole shebang. I got a good 5 years out of my system, but it was starting to get a little too slow for me. Especially since I was using it as my primary cable box in addition to emulation. Personally, I feel if I'm going to spend the money I might as well upgrade now and not have to worry about it 1 or 2 years down the road.

Here are the parts I got. I linked to Newegg since they have better descriptions and user reviews.

Main HTPC/GameEx rig motherboard Gigabyte GA-880GM-UD2H

Desktop/Secondary HTPC motherboard MSI 880G-E45

Processor for both AMD Phenom II X2 560 Black

RAM for both Crucial 4GB (2x2GB) DDR3 1333

I was able to unlock all 4 cores on the desktop machine processor and overclock it to 3.8 GHz stable on air. For the main HTPC I'm actually going to undervolt the processor as much as I can as it's running almost all day long. I want it as low voltage as possible to keep the heat and energy consumption down.

[Adultery]

Looks like you did your homework on your boards (and brought your wallet too!).

Nice stuff! Ready for NFL Blitz?

[Kustom Kid]

It wasn't that expensive, adultery. About $200 for each mobo, proc, and RAM. I did splurge and get a 64GB SSD for the HTPC, but still $500 for everything isn't that bad at all. I still haven't gotten my emulators all setup correctly yet, but Blitz will defiantly be played. I used to play that at the arcade on my lunch break back in the day.

[destrolennox]

I rocked an Intel DC Wolfdale E7500. Got it from Tiger Direct for $120. Love it!

Really makes my rig run smoothly. Was worth it even though it's outdated. Wouldn't have changed a thing.

Adultery,

Do you have a link from tigerdirect for that processor?

Thanks!

Brendan

[Adultery]

But of course!

Tiger Direct - Intel Core 2 Duo E7500

I see it went up $5, but still very much worth it.