Hi everyone, my mobo (ECS GeForce7050M-M v2.0) has no overclocking options in BIOS so I have only been able to overclock a Phenom 8450 using software. The only thing I can change is bus speed. At 225Mhz (200 stock), my core speed gets raised to 2.36ghz. I'll be keeping the 8450 no matter what- I really just want to know if buying a new mobo is worth the overclocking options.

The system:
phenom 8450
ecs geforce7050m-m v2.0
4gb corsair xms2 pc6400
chaintech 9600gt overclocking version (762/1932/1101)
80gb WD
300gb Maxtor
xp pro (32bit)

I have run a bunch of benchmarks to compare the performance difference between stock speed (2.1ghz) and what I currently have it running at:

3dmark06:
9610 @ 2.1ghz / 10577 @ 2.36

PCmark05:
6595 @ 2.1 / 6935 @ 2.36

crysis demo - all high settings
1024x762 @ 2.1 : no AA - 37.5 / 4x AA - 31.8
1024x762 @ 2.36: no AA - 38.5 / 4x AA - 37.2

1680x1050 @ 2.1 : no AA - 20.0 / 4xAA - 12.6
1680x1050 @ 2.36: no AA - 23.9 / 4xAA - 13.1

bioshock - all high settings (@2.1 / @2.36)
1024x762 (84.7 / 96.9)
1280x800 (83.0 / 92.0)
1440x900 (76.6 / 85.7)
1680x1050 (72.7 / 78.9)

To me these results won't justify getting a new mobo but if I can OC to around 2.6, I'd reconsider. Do you guys think I'd be able to OC that high with a decent motherboard? If anyone has experience overclocking a phenom, please feel free share your experiences.

I've read the forums here about the phenom X3's and you guys don't seem to like them that much. At newegg prices of $150 for the cpu and $50 for mobo, I know I could have made better choices with $200, but I got a combo deal buying them together for $130 at the local computer store.

This setup cost just over $500, so unless I can get a lot of performance benefits, I sort of like saying I get over 10k in 3dmark06 with a $500 rig.

Exactly, save the money for AM3. Most Phenoms can get you 200-300mhz o/c's. That's not worth 200 bucks. However, a Polish guy overclocked his 9850 to 3.7Ghz on co2. But you're not upgrading the cpu.

The 80 gig hdd is rather old. You might wanna upgrade that to a few platter drive like the new WD 640GB. It's faster.