570sli upgrade

[bazzer555]

hi folks! apologies for bringing up old stuff; can't find a ref. to my question...
i have just dug out my old pc as follows:
ga-570sli-s4 rev. 2
athlon64 windsor 5600 (2.
2x1gig corsair 3200
9800 gt 512
i noticed on the box that it can take am2+ (and according to gigabyte cpu support am3) cpus.
which means i can update the bios to FHL and fit a phenom 2  955/c3 95w deneb - 45nm @ 3200mhz
however, the restriciton of the 2000 ht applies.
i should like to give the system a bit more umph!
given the ht restricton, would this have an overall advantage for upgrading the graphics card, say 260gtx or 285gtx
which would be pointless with the current setup?
obliged for any advice

[DarkstaR]

Hi man 
I think that you have mistaken as your mainboard : GA-M57SLI-S4 is using DDR2 modules and not DDR1... and no DDR1 Gigabyte mobo can handle Phenom I & II...

[bazzer555]

...yeh thanx darkstar, should have put 6400...slight typo!

[DarkstaR]

Ok no problemo  just check on the Gigabyte's website in order to be sure whether you can updtate or no your cpu...don't worry it's very easy 

[bazzer555]

according to gbyte site, the cpu i quoted is the top one for my board:
http://uk.gigabyte.com/support-downloads/cpu-support-popup.aspx?pid=2539

as it is restricted to the 95w c3 stepping, i may have to settle for less if i can't find one. maybe an athlonx4 or triple. i am
not sure whether the level three cache will be useable any way - too technical for me!

but overall, will this boost my system given the ht1 restriction?

[DarkstaR]

Yes it will boost your overall system don't worry... as the difference between a phenom II x4 and your actual athlon is very big despites your HT2 restriction... Additionally you will have to go forward to 4 gigas of ddr2 ram because 2 gigs are to short now above all on win vista/seven system... So try to find a 95w x4 945/925 or a x4 635/640 and you will reach the moon ! 

[bazzer555]

many thanx for your input darkstar; i shall proceed with confidence and see what i can find.

[DarkstaR]

Well bazzer...just tell us what have you bought and if you see the difference between this new cpu and the previous one ! 

[Dark Mantis]

Hi DarkstaR

You have been very busy recently helping other members on the forum with much success I notice. I just wanted to applaud your work. 

[DarkstaR]

Thank you very much Dark Mantis ! My aim is trying to help members with my mid-level knowledge and learning from them too