I need some help with potential CPU upgrade..

[FieldyGB]

First of all hello all, Ive managed to upgrade a number of basic components of my PC over the last couple of years, (GFx card and RAM upgrades for example) but I am pretty much stumped with identifying what kind of CPU will be compatible with my computer, or motherboard.. I humbly ask for your collective wisdom in helping me out.

This is all coming from wanting to ensure my PC is fighting fit to handle Occulus (mainly for Elite!) and anything else I throw at it for a year or so.. Im ok with spending a good amount of money with Overclockers obvs!) for something but my main worry was that I would buy something that I would then find is wholly incompatible!

I currently have an Intel i7 Extreme 990X, Socket 1366 LGA, I have an ASUS P6X58D-E motherboard.. But I got so damn confused with trying to see what would work and what wouldnt that I thought I would try and ask people that know a damn sight more than me, ie you!

A million thanks in advance for any help!
Simon

 

[pastymuncher]

If you want a new cpu then you will have to replace the cpu, motherboard and move to DDR4 memory as well.

 

[Scurburg]

You already have one of the best CPUs compatible with your mb. The only thing you can do is OC it as far as possible (if you haven't already), which should still offer acceptable performance at 4ghz+ (especially considering its a 6c/12t cpu), that or you are going to have to have to upgrade mb,cpu and possibly ram and psu.

 

[FieldyGB]

thanks for the feedback guys, much appreciated. The CPU is currently OC so not a lot more I can do on that front, so I may have to bite the bullet at some point this year with a large scale overhaul..

thanks!

 

[FieldyGB]

I realise this may be a very contentious question, but if i was to upgrade the MB and CPU, to say near to top end spec what would you recommend?? Is it worth waiting for the Broadwell or is that just massive overkill for 4k gaming/VR?

Also would a clutz like me be able to install it??

cheers

 

[Jono8]

Best bet at the moment high end wise is X99 as you could stick the pretty well priced 5820k in for now and still be able to upgrade to Broadwell E at some point in the future.

It seems silly to get a 6700k set up at the moment when you can get a 5820k set up for similar money. You might lose 10% IPC or so but you gain 2 cores/4 threads.

Most of the modern 5820k's seem to be able to get to 4.5ghz or close with not too many volts so shouldnt be too far off an overclocked 6700k in single threaded stuff either.

 

[Scurburg]

It depends, do you actually think your cpu is holding you back atm?

A GPU upgrade maybe more beneficial. What the spec of the rest of the system and what OC are you running (cooler?).

I agree with the above though, if I was upgrading now, especially from a 6c/12t cpu, I would be looking at a 5820k/x99/ddr4

 

[FieldyGB]

thanks again all, my current spec is as follows:

Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM) i7 CPU X 990 @ 3.47GHz
Speed: 4.2 GHz
Number of Cores 6
GFX: Sapphire AMD Radeon R9 295 X2 8192MB
15 GB RAM

Im running games in 3840 x 2160 and getting pretty good FPS but I want to make sure Im all set for VR

 

[Scurburg]

Recommended VR specs (Not min) are like:

Intel 4590 or equiv
At least 8gb ram
970/290 or better
Hdmi 1.3
2 usb 3.0 ports

I think you have all that covered pretty well. I doubt the cpu will be any sort of bottleneck at the required res anyway (Will be mainly GPU), you have plenty of threads already and its not like it will not run VR at all.

I would see how your system handles it, then upgrade if needed, but I doubt its necessary.

 

[FieldyGB]

Ok thanks Scurburg, I will do just that and see how it runs!

Thanks for all your help!