Reddit mentions of AMD Phenom II X4 960T Processor, Black Edition, 3.0/3.4 Turbo GHz Socket AM3 - HD96ZTWFGRBOX

I think some of the problem will be trying to convince them on whether they will save money/be much more expensive than just replacing the processor only by going the full motherboard and CPU replacement route.

After reading the specifications, I fully agree with you. Trying to extract what you can out of a very outdated GeForce 7025/nForce 630 with a TDP limitation like that really isn't worth it.

To piggyback on your recommendation for trading up to a new board and processor. (Since they can take the DDR3 from the old board and use it.) I'll do a bit of of short homework and run a comparison. (Although, I am sure that Gaming PC probably threw the same thing at you, so please....take it for what it's worth.)


Phenom II 960T 3.0Ghz/3.4Ghz TC 120.00-190.00

Could possibly unlock it to 6 cores, is 95w, and has an unlocked multiplier. However, probably trying to unlock the cores, and keeping it at the default frequency might tip it over the 95w TDP. Definitely not going to get an overclock and unlocked cores with that board.

Phenom II X6 1045T 2.7Ghz/3.2Ghz TC 95w 135.00-155.00

Safest bet for a new "true" 6 core processor.

Looking at PC Part Picker

MSI 970A-G43 65.00-78.00

Cheapest AMD 900 series board so far.

AMD FX-6350 6-core 130.00-150.00

Taken from your recommendation and is noted as one of the "best bang for the buck" FX processors from most peers here on Reddit and other forums. (Some would also say the 8320 is too.)

First route would be anywhere from 120.00 to 190.00 with some possible limitations and hiccups, but still doable.

Second route would be anywhere from 195.00 to 228.00, but you would net better performance in the long run.

FX-6350 vs 1065T (Your best possible processor with the TDP limitation.)

vs. Phenom II 960T

vs. Phenom II x6 1045T (Other readily available "new" processor.)

Either a new CPU like maybe http://www.amazon.com/AMD-Phenom-Processor-Edition-Socket/dp/B0056D5AMY/ref=dp_ob_title_ce

or a new video card, like an r7 260x http://www.amazon.com/Sapphire-Version-PCI-Express-Graphics-11222-06-20G/dp/B00HJOKCZI/ref=sr_1_3?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1411347179&sr=1-3&keywords=r7+270

Oh, well that changes everything! Yeah, anything cheaper but of the same quality is preferable. The Gigabyte board is perfectly fine, especially if it cost less. But the Phenom 960T I had in the build above sells for ~€115, I think?

I also looked at some 560ti 448 prices on Amazon.de, and they appear to be about €30 more than a HD 6950. Your call, either will do fine; the difference is probably a wash anyways.

I'd also try to stick to a 2x2GB RAM setup and a cheap ODD. All in all, nice build otherwise! I guess you get to enjoy New Year's and a new PC. Cheers.

Current possible build
CPU - either http://www.amazon.co.uk/AMD-Phenom-3-2GHz-Processor-Boxed/dp/B002TQYUAE/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1323880323&sr=8-2
or http://www.amazon.co.uk/AMD-Phenom-Processor-Socket-Warranty/dp/B0056D5AMY/ref=dp_ob_title_ce

the second is cheaper but only 1 in stock when I checked.

Motherboard - http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B002LFYYAY/?tag=pcp0f-21

Ram - http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B004ROIDJA/?tag=pcp0f-21

Power supply - http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B000H9KRY8/?tag=pcp0f-21

Cd-drive - http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0057FRTPW/?tag=pcp0f-21

Case - http://www.scan.co.uk/products/nzxt-source-210-white-mid-tower-gaming-case-with-120mm-fan-w-o-psu

Graphics card (Amazon very expensive, this site much better) - http://www.ebuyer.com/254405-asus-gtx-560ti-directcu-ii-1gb-gddr5-dual-dvi-mini-hdmi-pci-e-engtx560-ti-dcii-2di-1gd5



the only thing left to get is a hardrive, I have been informed that any SATA hardrive 5400rpm or 7200 rpm will be fine but apparently it is very hard to find them at good prices at the moment...
this is the cheapest I could find on amazon - http://www.amazon.co.uk/Western-Digital-160GB-7200RPM-Internal/dp/B001CIREXA/ref=sr_1_63?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1323884784&sr=1-63