CPU advice required

[Veskitt]

Hello all.

I'd like some advice, if you would be so kind, on a new CPU that would work well with an Asus M5A 78L-M USB3. Also some new RAM. I'm not overly knowledgeable when it comes to PC's so, any help would be greatly appreciated.

Extra info to bear in mind... The motherboard was a gift, as I've been looking to upgrade for a while now but the extra parts are needed quickly as I'm due to start a Graphic Design degree at the end of the month. So, a new system and OS would be nice. I also use my PC for gaming a fair bit, nothing too demanding SWTOR, Nosgoth beta, Skyrim and a few others. For the CPU, I'm looking to spend around the £60.00 mark. RAM, I have no clue.

Thanks in advance!

 

[cmndr_andi]

He there and welcome to the OCUK forums

Looking at the CPU support list for that board you will be able to use a new Piledriver CPU with it. Therefore, with your budget an FX-4300 (£72) or FX-6300 (£80) are the ones to be looking for. Of these the FX 6300 is the best bet as it has two more cores than the FX 6300 and is generally regarded as a decent all-round budget chip.

As for RAM, considering your subject will likely use some memory-heavy applications then I think 8GB of DDR3 would be a minimum. A kit like this would be my pick.

 

[JonSmith]

I can recommend the 6300. You will however want to overclock it but this is very easy to do so. At a stock voltage of around 1.35V the majority of these chips will clock over 4 GHz, sometimes as high as 4.5GHz. It'll also help with gaming a fair bit.