Well, the darn TV is problematic.

Every time I switch the input to cable, to watch TV, then back to monitor, I have to reboot to get my system to see the TV again.

Screw that. I'll just run the 5 monitors.

I did that very thang...lol.

I've never had that problem on my setup, but then I've only been running the TV, no other monitors.  It may have something to do with multiple monitors/connections, perhaps?  You know, confusing the hell out of your PC, sort of thing.

Oh well, a quad core is off the table, then.  As for an upgrade, various reviews suggest the AMD Phenom II x6 1100T is as fast and performs equally as well as the AMD x8 FX8150, so if that's what you eventually settle on you won't lose anything much performance-wise.  However, the AMD x8 FX8350 is a few steps up and it would be worth waiting a bit longer to afford a compatible mobo to go with it.

For further information, the Athlon II x3 of Jim's, when unlocked, reported itself to be a Phenom II, a 955 to be exact. It did work as a quad, but it was unstable and ran hot. I suspect it was a 4-core fail, simply locked and rebranded by AMD.

I think RnD is shooting for one core for each monitor.

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1724262&CatId=4432

That.

Only I'm 50 bux short of having the dough. 

Yeah, the AMD Phenom II x6 1045T is a good CPU, but if it were me I'd wait to have enough for the AMD x8 FX8350 and the Gigabyte mobo for 78 bucks... comes in under 300 and would be a significant upgrade as opposed to something with just a little more kick.

I know how it feels, wanting to up the ante and not having quite enough, just itching to get stuck into it.  When I was looking to upgrade from my AMD Phenom II x4 920, there were a number of affordable 4 core offerings available, and at the time I could have snatched an AMD Phenom II x4 955 for $107, but it wasn't enough of a jump so I waited to get the AMD Phenom II x6 1100T, which was the flagship of the range and considerably faster than the 920.  It cost me $210, but IMO the performance increase justified the additional $103.

It was the same when I was looking to upgrade on that again, I could have settled for the AMD x8 FX8150 @ 3.6ghz, but given the reviews said that it was not a lot quicker than the 1100T, I wasn't too sure about going that way.  However, I was offered an AMD x8 FX8170 @ 4.0ghz for 40 bucks more and I took it.  It meant having to wait an extra couple of weeks but it was worth it.  Now AMD never officially released the FX8170, but my supplier snaffled 2 and offered me one for being a loyal and long term customer... he kept the other for himself, as you would with something so rare.

I now have an AMD x8 FX8350 in my main rig and it is by far quicker than any other AMD CPU I've tried, and quicker than some Intel i5's and i7's according to benchmarks, so it would be worth waiting for IMHO.  I know you're anxious to upgrade, and 50 bucks seems like a lot to be short of $99, not to mention $300, but I don't know that the jump to a 1045T would be that noticeable.... at the least I'd go for the 1100T, given how well it fared in benchmarks against the newer FX8150 and even some Intel offerings.

Food for thought, me old mate, food for thought.

Can't seem to find that one. 

I have a mobo less than a year old, I can't afford to spend 300 bux when what I have is pretty new. Most of what you see above, came to me used. All but 2 monitors. Even the TV was used. I have to get deals when I can....lol.

The wife is the sole breadwinner, I haven't worked in 8 years, no disability check either. She'd have my nuts in a jar if I spent 300.00 on something I didn't need.

Been turned down for the disability twice, got a hearing in a few days. Cross yer fangers fer me.

I have been making a few bucks here and there via skinning that will buy me the 1045 6 core. A really good friend shot me a loan for the other 50 bux last night, so I ordered it. I'll have it in a week or less.

Thanks, good friend. You know who you are! 

That's a shame because it is a very good CPU and would have given you decent boost in performance.  The 1045T is a couple of models down, but it'll still be faster than your triple core, nevertheless.

I worked out one combination [based on prices at TigerDirect] that would have been $224 for the FX8350 and a MSI board, and another with a Gigabyte board for $234, but neither are in reach if you simply don't have the finances.  As for great deals, that's how I get the stuff I want.  I search out bargains and grab those which suit my wants/needs... plus being a total tight arse and keeping the cost of living down to an absolute minimum to save a few bucks here and there.

And my toes!  Good luck and I hope it goes well for you.