I need a little shopping help,

as the method I'm using isn't working out so well,

and I just plain don't know one CPU from another in most cases.


I'm upgrading my CPU,

because they are finally cheap enough for me to do so,

and not regret it.



First off, let me start by asking that you PLEASE don't tell me to get an i7. 


It won't fit in my mobo, and I can't afford an entirely new system.


I've upgraded my Graphics card, and PSU recently,

and I've already got 2Gb of decent RAM,

so that only leaves my CPU as the current weak spot in my system.

I currently have an AMD 5400 64x2 dual core that runs at 2.8ghz.

My goal is to get the fastest (for FS) CPU that will fit in the mobo slot.



My mobo is:

MSI K9A2 CF
AMD AM2+ platform
AMD 790X chipset
SB600+4 DDR2


The AMD AM2 CPU's are now under $100 for the most part,

and the fastest I've located so far is 3.2ghz for $70.

But if there is something even better than this, that will sit

in the same socket, and is under $100, then I'm all for it. 


Thanks for any help that is offered. 

waspiflab wrote on Jul 5^th, 2010 at 4:03pm:




Your sir, are a very generous man!   


Thank you so much! 

AMD Phenom II X2 555 Black Edition Callisto 3.2GHz (DUAL CORE)
or
AMD Athlon II X4 630 Propus 2.8GHz (QUAD CORE)

FSX likes quads, FS9 doesn't.

The top one overclocks really easily since it's a Black Edition.

Both $99.

Also, don't get a Phenom 1 (that is Phenom ONE) or Athlon I (Athlon ONE) get Phenom II or Athlon II instead. Phenom 1 and Athlon I are older and much less efficient per clock cycle.