Processor suggestions

[kitamesume]

^ its because a single $150 SSD can provide twice the read/write speed of a raid0 array.

SATAIII SSDs of recent models have a max read/write speed of 500MB/s, some are even faster.
also to note, SSDs only has <1ms seek time, while mechanical HDDs will have >1ms seek time even if you set it to a raid array.

and i don't think you can set raids on partitions, you need whole HDDs for them to work properly.

[rostheferret]

^ its because a single $150 SSD can provide twice the read/write speed of a raid0 array.

SATAIII SSDs of recent models have a max read/write speed of 500MB/s, some are even faster.
also to note, SSDs only has <1ms seek time, while mechanical HDDs will have >1ms seek time even if you set it to a raid array.

and i don't think you can set raids on partitions, you need whole HDDs for them to work properly.

I know you can RAID partitions. It's possible to partition off a larger HDD and use it to RAID a smaller one, but not often done for the obvious reason of what to do with the leftover space. Random idea, but probably not worth experimenting with.

[Tatsujin]

Like others have said, I would go for an i5 processor; games are using multiple cores now and getting anything less is just going to mean you'll be upgrading sooner rather than later. The clock speed on the RAM barely makes a noticeable difference; look into G.Skill. They pretty much only do RAM and even their lower end models come with decent heatsinks. You said your PC occasionally crashed; I'd attribute this to the RAM more than the CPU tbh. No RAM = using pagefile, and that aint ever pretty to see.

Look for a mobo with USB 3.0 and a couple of 6Gbps SATAIII connectors (you'll be wanting to upgrade HDD memory at some point, but it's not urgent for now), in fact I got nothing against the one Kita mentioned, but if you can wait a few months for the ivy bridge processors to become available it'll be worth it in the long run. If not, you're probably looking at something like an i5-2500. I disagree that SSDs are worth it right now, I'll probably look into one when my current windows drive dies on me but not before. Spend that money on a decent fan the processor instead.

Get the Core i5. Save up a bit more money. The cost is less than a 100 dollars from a Core i3 to Core i5. It's damn worth the investment for 2 extra cores + features.

[Tannosuke]

Like others have said, I would go for an i5 processor; games are using multiple cores now and getting anything less is just going to mean you'll be upgrading sooner rather than later. The clock speed on the RAM barely makes a noticeable difference; look into G.Skill. They pretty much only do RAM and even their lower end models come with decent heatsinks. You said your PC occasionally crashed; I'd attribute this to the RAM more than the CPU tbh. No RAM = using pagefile, and that aint ever pretty to see.

Look for a mobo with USB 3.0 and a couple of 6Gbps SATAIII connectors (you'll be wanting to upgrade HDD memory at some point, but it's not urgent for now), in fact I got nothing against the one Kita mentioned, but if you can wait a few months for the ivy bridge processors to become available it'll be worth it in the long run. If not, you're probably looking at something like an i5-2500. I disagree that SSDs are worth it right now, I'll probably look into one when my current windows drive dies on me but not before. Spend that money on a decent fan the processor instead.

Get the Core i5. Save up a bit more money. The cost is less than a 100 dollars from a Core i3 to Core i5. It's damn worth the investment for 2 extra cores + features.

That was my original thought. I already talked with my mate and are thinking of buying this i5. Like the rest above said, I'll have to stick on i5, because there's also the rumour about the ivy released at June, which might be really useful later. And of course, I'll buy the DDR3 and the strongest possible processor.

[kitamesume]

^ ivy bridge's quad core starts at $184 based on the rumors.

the i5-3450 @ 3.2Ghz/3.5Ghz(turbo), while having a TDP of 77Watts in comparison to sandy bridge i5's TDP of 95Watts.

[Tatsujin]

^ ivy bridge's quad core starts at $184 based on the rumors.

the i5-3450 @ 3.2Ghz/3.5Ghz(turbo), while having a TDP of 77Watts in comparison to sandy bridge i5's TDP of 95Watts.

I hope they release a 6 core for the Ivy bridge. Ivy is the third generation for the Core-i family if I'm correct.

[kitamesume]

yes its the 3rd gen, and ivy is the first 22nm processor.

and they will release a 6core, though on socket LGA2011.

haswell is rumored to have 8cores.

[vuzedome]

And they say my old i5-750 is getting old. This baby will last another 2 years or even more before I need an upgrade.

[costi]

^ its because a single $150 SSD can provide twice the read/write speed of a raid0 array.

SATAIII SSDs of recent models have a max read/write speed of 500MB/s, some are even faster.
also to note, SSDs only has <1ms seek time, while mechanical HDDs will have >1ms seek time even if you set it to a raid array.

and i don't think you can set raids on partitions, you need whole HDDs for them to work properly.

Who cares about read speeds you'll only achieve rarely - it's the access time and speed when operating on small files that count. And here SSDs, even cheap ones, outperform HDDs by several magnitudes.
I have switched to an SSD, many of my friends did, and we all agree that nothing will give you such a performance boost.

[Tatsujin]

yes its the 3rd gen, and ivy is the first 22nm processor.

and they will release a 6core, though on socket LGA2011.

haswell is rumored to have 8cores.

Up to 8 cores. What's more than parallel processing, hyper-threading and unlocked multiplier features?

I'm looking to build a low-spec computer with Core i3, 4G Ram, cheap video card ... and put all that shit inside an Aquarium and fill it with baby oil. I'm gonna decorate the aquarium from inside and make it look nice with blue lights ... mmm.

[Freedom Kira]

That was my original thought. I already talked with my mate and are thinking of buying this i5. Like the rest above said, I'll have to stick on i5, because there's also the rumour about the ivy released at June, which might be really useful later. And of course, I'll buy the DDR3 and the strongest possible processor.

All of Ivy Bridge's desktop processors and quad mobile processors will be released near the end of April. Only the mobile dual cores were delayed until June due to the lower than expected volumes of sales of Sandy Bridge dual laptops (the delay is meant to give retailers more time to sell off the extra stock). This info is on Wikipedia, and I believe I originally saw this info on a tech-related news site but I can't remember.

Anyway, in general, Intel processors can generally pump out more processing for the same amount of generated heat. If you can get your hands on a low-power i5, stick the stock fan on it and you'll have whisper-quiet operation (actually it'd be more like silent). The typical classification would be that Intel's stuff is more premium than AMD equivalents, so they cost a tad more, but the returns you get from them are much better than AMD, which is more mainstream-oriented.

The main issue with low-power models is that they don't stay in production. All of Sandy Bridge's S (low-power) and T (ultra-low-power) processors were discontinued quite early. I found it ridiculously difficult to find my i5-2400S for my HTPC build just a few months after launch. So, if you're willing to wait for Ivy Bridge, and if you want a low-power, get it fast. Intel's low-power models, when coupled with a good graphics card, should be enough for decent gaming (except maybe the T processors - I'd just go for an S).

[xShadow]

1) AMD PHENOM II X6 1100T 3.3GHZ SIX-CORE BLACK EDITION.

Get that  one. Then spend the rest of your money on better video card, more storage and/or a good cpu cooler.

I wouldn't recommend anything below 4 real cores. From what you have posted, I can conclude that you're one of those users who wants to make the most out of their hardware, trying to keep it around for as long as possible. The i3 suggested in the earlier post doesn't really fit that in my opinion. It lacks the core count to keep up in the future.

If you go AMD, get the X6. If you go intel, get a real 4 core SB or wait for IB. Either way, it's a pretty big upgrade for you.

I agree with this. From the benchmarks I've looked at, if that CPU can really fit in your motherboard (I noticed you have DDR2 RAM, which makes me a bit worried), it's actually better than the i5 750 I'm using right now, and this i5 750 has run every single game I've thrown at it without too much trouble. Granted my graphics card is a bit better than yours, but you can upgrade that by using that left over money and then a bit more.

Wasting money switching over to Intel is a waste. Though... can that thing fit in your mobo? Seriously...

[Tannosuke]

@xShadow, to change the CPU, I'll have to upgrade the MoBo to i5 or newer. As far as I found out from you guys, and the others from another forums suggesting me, the i5 and newer is much the best suggestion so far.

As for DDR3, I'll look into it, too. And indeed DDR2 won't do any better job, than this.

I'll think of upgrading(again) the RAM to 8GB or more. There might be a way to put another same model of RAM 4GB to merge them into 8GB. Will see.

I don't want to experience PC or Windows crashes not only from games, but also from music creation programs.

[kitamesume]

to enlighten why the phenom 1100T wouldn't be a good idea as a "silent gaming rig".

one reason is because this baby is a beast of a six core, so what would that mean? the stock HSF will be running loud just to get it's temps low.
so why not just change the HSF then? well one reason would be that its because thats another premium to pay, if the combination of CPU+HSF would breach the difference between the intel's option then wouldn't be going with intel a much more viable option? since intel's counterpart would be running way cooler, and uses way less power and all.


other issues:

another thing is this baby's power consumption, quite a scary thing actually, and a troubling piece for that would be if your PSU is beefy enough to handle the processor.

another problem with recycling your current motherboard and it's other components, first the ram would be a bottleneck for this, a DDR2 @ 800mhz? would be a excruciating bottleneck for such a beast of a CPU.
as for the motherboard i can't seem to trace it's specifications, a whole bunch of results popped, but do notice none of them had AM3 support. wouldn't that be a whole bigger reason as to why switch to intel?

i say instead of scrapping the rig and switching stuff up, just sell the unit and buy a new one, it might even bump your budget as well.

well the decision lies with the one who'll be spending the bucks.

[AnimeJanai]

It seems doable if the heat sink size is managed.  But you will have to also buy some additional 3rd party cooling fans to replace the existing ones on the heat sink.   SilenX makes very quiet 11dB to 14dB cooling fans in various sizes and you can replace existing fans on the CPU cooler with them.  SilenX is not the only brand as there are others.  Some replacement fans are low-profile versions with very tight clearance and a conical path in order to maintain air pressure.  Something to remember is that while fans are rated in how much air they move in the open, the blade design, clearance, and shape of air path will affect how much air pressure the fan can continue to move a substantial amount of air.

http://www.frys.com/product/5383048 

http://www.frys.com/search?search_type=regular&sqxts=1&query_string=silenx&cat=0

[costi]

The Phenoms have over double power consumption of faster Intel CPUs. Bad deal, if you ask me.

Take a look here: http://www.purepc.pl/procesory/wielki_test_procesorow_2012_46_ukladow_cpu_od_amd_i_intela (comparison of 46 Intel and AMD CPUs, from Athlon II X2 to Core i7 3960X)
It's in Polish, but the graphs are self-explanatory. The index is in the right-hand corner.