Which CPU?

nitr0uk · 7 Dec 2012 at 20:57

Hello,

Currently thinking about upgrading my CPU and motherboard but not sure which way to go, AMD or Intel, and which model?

My current system is as follows;
AMD Phenom II X3 720BE
Gigabyte MA-790XT-UD4P Socket AM3
Radeon HD 7850 2GB
8GB Corsair XMS3 1600Mhz RAM
Antec TruePower New 650W PSU

Only a small budget of between £150-£180 for both CPU and Mobo. I was thinking about an i3 3220 and a Z77-D3H Mobo or is second hand better?

Hope you can help, thanks.

nitr0uk · 7 Dec 2012 at 22:54

It's with the newest games like Hitman Absolution and Farcry 3 there is FPS lag.

I'm pretty sure the CPU is holding back the graphics card.

I did have mine unlocked to 4 cores and slightly overclocked to 3.2Ghz but Hitman would'nt run with any overclocking so I had to take it back to default.

nitr0uk · 8 Dec 2012 at 10:31

Thanks for moving the thread JediFragger and thanks for the replies.

If my Phenom II is unlocked to 4 cores the most I can get out of it is 3.2Ghz. I haven't tried to overclock with just the 3 cores, however, any overclocking at all and Hitman won't run for some reason

Would it be worth picking up a second hand 2500k?

nitr0uk · 8 Dec 2012 at 10:46

Luckily I do have access to the MM. I only really use the computer for gaming and general use.

Would it still be a capable machine and get the most out of my graphics card if I just upgraded to the X4 965? or still worth going to the i5?

I'm just thinking with Haswell and Socket 1150 apparently next year, should I just upgrade my CPU for now and change to Socket 1150 when available.

nitr0uk · 8 Dec 2012 at 11:34

I'm not very clued up when it comes to overclocking. All i did with mine was up the multiplier and slight increase on the vcore by following instructions, apart from that I don't really know what i'm doing when it comes to overclocking

nitr0uk · 8 Dec 2012 at 11:54

I had mine unlocked to 4 cores and had it at 3.2Ghz with 1.375v, this was the most i could get out of it even with upped vcore as it kept crashing.

I've never tried to overclock it with just the 3 cores.

I understand the i5 3570K is the one to go for, however, budget constraints lead to needing the cheapest upgrade possible. I only have around £180 for both a CPU and motherboard (both I would need if I was to change to Intel)

nitr0uk · 9 Dec 2012 at 00:40

So you think keeping my current CPU is the best idea?

Forget about upgrading to the X4 965, or even to the 2500k with a new mobo?

The problem is I'm not a confident overclocker, so looking really for a good chip out the box.

nitr0uk · 9 Dec 2012 at 14:43

I've changed the multiplier to 18.5x (3.7Ghz) and the vcore to 1.425v and it just kept restarting.

Changed the vcore to 1.45v and its now running, is this safe?

Also, it runs at 18x (3.6Ghz) and vcore 1.4v

Edit:
At 3.6Ghz and 1.4v vcore, within seconds of running Intel Burn Test it BSOD.

Also tried 3.6Ghz at 1.425v and still BSOD. It's a C2 stepping.