Cheap LGA1150 CPU upgrade advice

[Whiffle]

Hi there.

I am currently running the two following PCs:

1. My desktop - MSI H67MA-E35 (B3), with 2x4GB Ram, an i3-2105, and running Windows 10

2. My backup server - MSI B85M-E45, with 2x2GB and 2x4GB Ram, G1850 and running Openmedia vault.

I literally use the server for back ups only - i.e. turn it on, run RSnapshot, and turn it off again.

I am currently working at home and have noted that my PC reaches 100% a lot, on the CPU.

It then suddenly occurred to me that I should swap the PCs over, which would give me the following benefits:

1. The server MOBO supports a USB3 header
2. The server MOBO supports Windows 11
3. Extra 4GB Ram to play with

The only thing I need to do, however, is swap out the G1850 for something a bit better.

What do you think I should go for?

At first, I was hoping to put in a Broadwell CPU (as the MSI B85M-E45 uses the LGA1150 socket).

However, based upon this:

https://uk.msi.com/Motherboard/B85M-E45/support#support-cpu

I am a bit gutted to see that the board supports only Haswell and Haswell(Refresh).

With a bit of luck, a newer generation CPU might help a bit with electricy as well - have noticed that that has gone up, a bit, whilst working from home as well.

Any advice would be much appreciated.

 

[mickyflinn]

A 4770 4 cores 8 threads can be had for about £50 would be a decent uograde , do you have an ssd ?

 

[pastymuncher]

A 4770/4770k/4790/4790k would be the logical upgrade but don't over pay for one. 4790k's can still hit £150+ on Ebay and personally I would rather put that money towards a up to date system than spend that much on a outdated platform. Electricity use will increase along with heat so you will need a decent cooler as well.

 

[Whiffle]

Thanks very much for the response - yes, am currently using a 1TB Crucial SSD for the OS.

 

[Whiffle]

Thanks - totally agree about a new system (something that I probably cannot think about for the time being).

I have found an i5-4460 for only £5 to £10 - I wonder if that would suffice.

Hmm - hadn't reallised that energy use would actually go up. I thought the new generation CPUs would use less energy.

 

[mickyflinn]

Thanks - totally agree about a new system (something that I probably cannot think about for the time being).

I have found an i5-4460 for only £5 to £10 - I wonder if that would suffice.

Hmm - hadn't reallised that energy use would actually go up. I thought the new generation CPUs would use less energy.

2 more cores is going to help.

 

[Armageus]

A 4770/4770k/4790/4790k would be the logical upgrade but don't over pay for one. 4790k's can still hit £150+ on Ebay and personally I would rather put that money towards a up to date system than spend that much on a outdated platform. Electricity use will increase along with heat so you will need a decent cooler as well.

The Haswell Xeons can often be found cheaper than the equivalent i7 but with the downside that most don't have an iGPU.

e.g
4 Core / 8 Thread
4770 - £58 (3.4Ghz base / 3.9Ghz turbo)
E3 1230v3 - £30 (3.3Ghz base / 3.7Ghz turbo) (no integrated graphics)
E3 1240v3 - £35 (3.4Ghz base / 3.8Ghz turbo) (no integrated graphics)
E3 1245v3 - £45 (3.4Ghz base / 3.8Ghz turbo)
E3 1270v3 - £60 (3.5Ghz base / 3.9Ghz turbo) (no integrated graphics)
4790 - £65 (3.6GHz base / 4.0Ghz)
E3 1271v3 - £65 (3.6Ghz base / 4.0Ghz turbo)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Intel_Haswell-based_Xeon_microprocessors
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haswell_(microarchitecture)

 

[Whiffle]

Thanks for that.

Can I just ask something TDP, please?

Is this an accurate rating for how much electricity a CPU will use?

The reason I ask is that I remember reading that many CPUs have similar idle levels, when it comes to energy usage.

However, a CPU (with a higher TDP) will use a higher amount of energy but for a shorter time, because it will get the task done more quickly.

Therefore the net usage is about the same - is that accurate?

 

[Oblivion007]

I'm still using a 4770k that I got from overclockers yonks ago in my livingroom pc. Still plays up to date titles without much sweat (been playing It Takes Two recently). So if it can be had for a decent price well worth it.