Upgrading the FX-7811 CPU; which has the best bang for the bucks???

I've had my 7811 for almost a year now and feel it's time to upgrade the stock CPU which was always the weak link in this model. What CPU will give me the best performance increase for the money these days?? I use the machine almost exclusively for gaming, especially World of Warcraft, Left for Dead, Crysis, etc.

 

if u really want performance u should get the X9100 which costs around 400 bucks on ebay

it gets a little bit hot but it is the best processor to the p-7811

 

Get T9900 or T9600. Forget about the Q9100 which runs very hot and you won't be able to overclock it due to BIOS limitation.

Brunoroc, do run the Q9100?

 

What?

This is the 2nd time you've posted this. It is not the best processor for the P78**. The T series puts out the same speed at only 35W, instead of the X9100's 45W that develops more heat as you even posted yourself.

I understand if you want to buy the X9100 to save money, but it is not the best processor for the P78**.

 

I'd personally wait until the P9700 hits the OEM sellers. 2.8Ghz, same 25W TDP as the P8400 you'd be replacing, 6MB L2. It's not 3.06Ghz like a T9900, but it's only a 260Mhz difference, which is inconsequential unless you want to brag you've got a "3Ghz laptop." I'd personally like the lower TDP over the slight performance tick.

P9700 notebooks are just starting to show up, which means the loose chips are probably a month/month and a half away from eBay.

 

The 7811s had a lot of thermal issues so keeping mine (which hasn't, so far) at the same TDP is very appealing, and 2.8Ghz is plenty of punch for what I do. Any idea what pricing will be in 30-45 days or so?

 

Not a clue. The whitesheet listed a bin price of $348 here: http://techiton.blogspot.com/2009/02/intel-mobile-cpu-t9900-p9700-p8800-due.html

Current pricing on OEM T9900s are ~425 on eBay.

 

Wow, significantly less than the 3.06 T9900 (list $530). Going by the same roughly 20% discount I could be looking at $280, more or less? That would be kickin'! Any recommendations as to a reliable vendor?

One last question: it's pretty much a "pop & drop" process, right? I pull the old CPU, replace it with the new, and I'm done, no undervolting or special BIOS hacks needed?

 

u'll need new thermal paste... and aside from that you might want to check your device manager.
Po.

 

Hi Tallan,
could you let me know, if it was worthwile, especially in regard to WOW.

Thanks and regards

 

Sure will, but the P9700 chips won't be readily available for another month or more from what I hear, so it'll be a while.

 

Stay away from the Q9100 processor... unless you can get it much cheaper there is just no reason at all to pick a 45W processor. It generates too much heat, and unless you use it in a whitebox notebook like one from OCZ, where you can change the multiplier, its a waste of money.

I'd recommend the T9900 or T9800 for the P7811 if you want the best performance.......

 

Don't take my "month/month-and-a-half" quote as law, it's just my best guess.

Up until about two weeks ago I hadn't even seen a notebook using a P9700, now that they're appearing, it means chips are in the wild and it's just a matter of time before loose ones start showing up in the usual places.

 

Now I can see the CPU being a problem in some other games, but WoW benefiting from a new CPU? WoW's always been no problem on my stock setup. I know this is derivative, but I'm just curious as to what kind of problems people are having with WoW.

 

my stupid friend plays WoW on a AMD x2 3600 cpu maxed out at 1600x1200 or higher. almost any 4 year old comp can play it.

 

+1 for Capper

No benefits at all in the X9100 for the FX series.

T9900 is the best....my 7811 with no underclock, just ICD7 and using 3 CD cases as support for better air circulation never goes over 70 degrees.

I could not be more happy

 

Almost any modern computer can play WoW, including the integrated graphics models like Apple's Mini and MacBook or even a discrete graphics model of netbook like the ASUS N10 - the issue is how well? I don't find low rez, low detail, blocky textures at 9-12 FPS very conducive to a fun experience. World of Warcraft actually thumps on the CPU(s) a lot, and to be able to play it at a relatively high frame rate with everything turned up (especially shadows) you need some serious hardware, especially for 10 and 25 man raids. The stock FX7811 does fine on most games, including WoW, this upgrade is more of a "want" than "need" to have, for sure.

 

In related news, to bump this thread, evidently someplaces have a P9700 for sale now:

http://www.excaliberpc.com/592201/intel-aw80576sh0726mg-core-duo-p9700.html

http://www.pcconnection.com/IPA/Sho...486&oext=1038A&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=9978486

http://www.xpcgear.com/intel-aw80576sh0726mg-core-2-duo-mobile-cpu.html

Just to link a few from names I've actually heard of. There are also two on eBay now from a Chinese and Taiwanese seller, but none are substantially cheaper than ExcaliburPC or XPC.

 

I purchased an X9100 as opposed to a T9900, mainly because of my current situation I could not get a t9900 shipped here. I dont think the extra heat is going to be a huge deal, I will let everyone know how it turns out in a few days

 

Really good to know, thanks for the update! I think I may be ordering soon...

 

Dam, if i didn't have to spend all my money on books and a car for college i'd get the p9700.

 

Well, right now the T9900 is the best CPU for price/power ratio.
Chech this thread http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=423866