CPU + Mobo Upgrade

jamief · 27 Nov 2014 at 13:09

I'm currently running

Gigabyte GA-X58A-UD3R Mobo
i7 920 CPU
Corsair XMS3 6GB (1600Mhz) RAM

I've also got an overclocked 3GB 7950 which I'm quite happy with.

Would it be worth upgrading my CPU and mobo? Could I do anything worthwhile for about £200? Play BF4, ARMA3 etc. Have OC the CPU but been having a lot of stability issues, and the lack of full SATA3 on the mobo is holding my SSD back a lot.

HalfBakedJake · 27 Nov 2014 at 13:43

I would get this

YOUR BASKET
1 x Intel Core i5-4690K 3.50GHz (Devil's Canyon) Socket LGA1150 Processor - Retail £179.99
1 x Asus Z97-K Intel Z97 (Socket 1150) DDR3 ATX Motherboard £89.99
Total : £279.58 (includes shipping : £8.00).

You get the latest haswell, z97 motherboard (incase you decide to go for a broadwell cpu in the future)

jamief · 27 Nov 2014 at 13:46

Thanks. Anything comparable for a bit less? (near £200??)

HalfBakedJake · 27 Nov 2014 at 13:48

I swear that was priced at £224 when I was in the shopping cart.

I would advise keeping that MOBO and having a look at the other i5's.

You should get at least a boost in FPS etc from running the z97 chipset.

jamief · 27 Nov 2014 at 13:56

Its £224 excluding VAT

I'll have a look at some of the other i5 processors. Anything to avoid?

HalfBakedJake · 28 Nov 2014 at 16:16

Avoid the bottom end ones. Sometimes its better to have high i3 than a low i5 although I would very much recommend the i5.

If not you could go the AMD route.

jamief · 31 Dec 2014 at 18:37

OK - I've got a bit more cash to play with. What would be a worthwhile upgrade from a i7 920 for £350? (partnered with an OC 7950).

I need CPU, RAM & Mobo.

stulid · 31 Dec 2014 at 18:45

YOUR BASKET
1 x Intel Core i5-4690K 3.50GHz (Devil's Canyon) Socket LGA1150 Processor - Retail £179.99
1 x Gigabyte G1.Sniper Z97 Intel Z97 (Socket 1150) DDR3 ATX Motherboard £124.99
1 x TeamGroup Vulcan RED 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 PC3-19200C11 2400MHz Dual Channel Kit (TLRED38G2400HC11CDC01) £59.99
Total : £374.57 (includes shipping : £8.00).

Plenty of boards and ram to pick from, the Sniper has a good onboard sound via a Creative Core3D chip.

Little*Freak · 31 Dec 2014 at 19:10

Hi, they have many bundles available, take a careful look around the site.

Here is one to consider:- http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=BU-006-MS&groupid=2833&catid=2836&subcat=2861

It is not the latest unlocked i5 but is unlocked.

If you go AMD, just make sure you go for a good Motherboard, this is a good starting point as it has very good 8+2 phase CPU VRM power handling which is needed for overclocking the 8 core AMD CPU's. http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MB-471-GI&groupid=701&catid=1903&subcat=2046

So you could get this for £350:-
CPU £140 http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CP-382-AM&groupid=701&catid=1967&subcat=1825
Motherboard £72 Or £103 http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MB-471-GI&groupid=701&catid=1903&subcat=2046 (as a starting point, could go with this instead) http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MB-559-AS&groupid=701&catid=1903&subcat=2046
Ram £66 http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MY-035-TG&groupid=701&catid=8&subcat=1387
Cooler £28 http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=HS-007-RT&groupid=701&catid=2330&subcat=2666

So from approx £306 to £337 +Shipping.

Danny75 · 31 Dec 2014 at 19:23

Arma3 appears to love fast RAM. 2400MHz sounds good. Beyond that there are diminishing returns.

jamief · 31 Dec 2014 at 21:12

stulid said:
YOUR BASKET
1 x Intel Core i5-4690K 3.50GHz (Devil's Canyon) Socket LGA1150 Processor - Retail £179.99
1 x Gigabyte G1.Sniper Z97 Intel Z97 (Socket 1150) DDR3 ATX Motherboard £124.99
1 x TeamGroup Vulcan RED 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 PC3-19200C11 2400MHz Dual Channel Kit (TLRED38G2400HC11CDC01) £59.99
Total : £374.57 (includes shipping : £8.00).

Plenty of boards and ram to pick from, the Sniper has a good onboard sound via a Creative Core3D chip.

Thanks for that. What is a decent cooler for that setup?

Little*Freak · 31 Dec 2014 at 21:21

Hi, jamief, the one i linked to will work well.

Cooler £28 http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=HS-007-RT&groupid=701&catid=2330&subcat=2666

Danny, most AM3+ boards won't support anything faster than 2000MHz ram. Some will but not very many.

stulid · 31 Dec 2014 at 21:32

Check the height of the cooler and what your case can take.

Idleman · 31 Dec 2014 at 21:34

What cooler are you using on the 920?
How long has it been since you reseated your cooler, as in new thermal paste.

Danny75 · 31 Dec 2014 at 23:45

Little*Freak said:
Hi, jamief, the one i linked to will work well.

Cooler £28 http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=HS-007-RT&groupid=701&catid=2330&subcat=2666

Danny, most AM3+ boards won't support anything faster than 2000MHz ram. Some will but not very many.

I did see one or two Intel builds recommended.

jamief · 1 Jan 2015 at 07:23

I've got an old titan fenrir v2 but not sure if it would fit the new mobo?