Looking to upgrade my computer and need some suggestions

[Dr Evil]

Hey guys,

I'm looking to upgrade my current system by adding more memory and a better cpu. My current specs are:
Gigabyte GA-MA785GM-US2H (found here)
Current CPU is an AMD Athlon II X2 240 running at 2.8Ghz
Current RAM is 3GB DDR2

I'm planing on staying with the board because it is very upgradable, and I already ordered and additional 6GB of ram, but I'm not sure what CPU I should get. According to the specs on board it can handle AM3/AM2+/AM2 processors: AMD Phenom™ II processor/ AMD Phenom™ processor/ AMD Athlon™ II processor/ AMD Athlon™ processor/ AMD Sempron™ processors.

my budget is around $125, and what got me thinking about upgrading was today when I was compiling my map im working on my resource usuage went up to around 90% and my system basically went to a crawl for about 30 minutes. So any suggestions on things I can do in order to notice a difference in system performance would be greatfull

Dr Evil

[cz_squishy]

Is the memory you ordered the same clock speed as your older memory? For the CPU on your budget I would recommend this: http://us.ncix.com/products/?sku=47459& ... omoid=1055. Do you have a CPU cooler? If you don't get this one, it's cheap and effective: http://us.ncix.com/products/?sku=64385& ... OLERMASTER.

[Dives]

The Phenom II X4 955 is a pretty good processor that fits right into your budget and uses the AM3 socket.

[cz_squishy]

The Phenom II X4 955 is a pretty good processor that fits right into your budget and uses the AM3 socket.

That's why I recommended it. I also chose a CPU cooler because it will lower the temps and be quieter than the stock cooler for those long hours of compiling

[Dr Evil]

Yes the RAM I ordered is the same clock speed as what I currently have, and I dont need a heat/sink or fan because I have a water cooling setup, i just need a better CPU... I'm looking at that one now

[cz_squishy]

Yes the RAM I ordered is the same clock speed as what I currently have, and I dont need a heat/sink or fan because I have a water cooling setup, i just need a better CPU... I'm looking at that one now

Sweetness

[Knights]

I'd love to make some suggestions but you're doing this AMD style... I only go Intel their chips are destroying AMD's now.. I currently run a i7 2600k and it kick's ass. A good graphics card that's decently priced I'd go with the Asus GTX 570.

[Dr Evil]

If I could afford to swap out to Intel I would... but i would probably have to buy new ram, video card board & everything

[cz_squishy]

If I could afford to swap out to Intel I would... but i would probably have to buy new ram, video card board & everything

Just the motherboard