i5 3450 - do I need more?

[Goat-]

Hi folks, seeking CPU advice here.

I'm currently running the i5 3450 @ stock 3.1Ghz, all running fine, but I'm contemplating upgrading to make it more future proof. What CPU would you folks recommend in the Ivy bridge i5/i7 range? Is an upgrade even necessary at this point or will my current CPU good enough?

I'm a heavy gamer, so I typically stress the CPU out a lot with games like Battlefield 3, but would an overclock suffice or now?

I'm making some serious adjustments to my rig at the moment, so I thought why not see what other CPU's can be offered. I'll also be getting a HD 7970 soon, would my current CPU bottleneck it?

Rest of my specs are in my signature if they help.

Cheers for any help in advance folks.

 

[JonSmith]

No point upgrading.

 

[dave_beast]

On non K series 3450's you can up your multiplier to 41 and up the base clock a touch to give you 4.3ghz or so.

 

[BluSky]

I wouldn't bother upgrading, that processor is good for a while yet. the 7970 would only be slightly bottlenecked if at all, so I wouldn't worry, Hold on for haswell and overclock a little

 

[ColEx]

I think that CPU is good for another 2-3 years or so.

 

[CRO_T]

Makes little sense upgrading when the performance difference is minimal.

 

[JIM_BOB7813]

On non K series 3450's you can up your multiplier to 41 and up the base clock a touch to give you 4.3ghz or so.

I thought you could only change the multi on 'K' models?

 

[dave_beast]

I thought you could only change the multi on 'K' models?

The non K Intels do allow for some movement, only tried it on a rig I built on an MSI Z77 board, so couldn't comment whether it's possible on other boards.

 

[eddyr]

No 1st hand exp myself, but from what I have read from a number of other's posts you can select the highest turbo multi on the non K's