Which CPU?

nitr0uk

nitr0uk

nitr0uk

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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.
 
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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.
 
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You really need that phenom II at 3.8ghz minimum with a cpu-nb of 2400-2600.
Your board is a great board for overclocking, and in hitman and farcry 3 a i3 3220 would be a sidestep to a 4.0ghz phII x4 just more energy efficient.

Either get hold of a new 955/965be c3 stepping cpu for cheap and clock it to 3.8ghz+.
Or save and get an i5 2500k or ivy equivalent.

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/productlist.php?groupid=701&catid=1967&subid=1943
 
Intel is the way to go as all the forum guys will say for gaming...could u not save a little at a time and go for a i5 and a Z77 motherboard...u probably need another 100 quid tho and if u want to play future stuff aswell i would have thought i5 is the way to go..3.40ghz out the box no need to mess with settings if u dont want to.http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/83?vs=701 have a look at the diffrence between the 2
 
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?
 
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nitr0uk said:
Would it be worth picking up a second hand 2500k?
Click to expand...

A 2500k is pretty much the top of the line you need for gaming, anything over that does very little in gaming and will only affect you if you video edit for rendering.

You could probably pick up a bargain on the MM if you have access to it
 
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.
 
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I got a Phenom II x2 705E overclock to 3.7Ghz and runs Hitman absolution at 31-60FPS on medium+ settings
All coors are usead at 80-90% and on a AM2 motherboard having a hard time feeding the video card it has usage of 60%
So overclock 3 coors at 3.8Ghz or more and u should be ok until you have enough cash go get a proper board and CPU do not go half way
3.75Ghz at 1.45Volts for me but an awful motherboard for oc
 
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
 
You have black edition so OC is easy as a walk
What settings do you use as voltage and frequency?
And for gaming go for a i5 3570K the best CPU for games value/buck
 
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)
 
You could always sell the motherboard and cpu you have and get some extra cash
CPU 40-50pounds
MB 35-40pounds shipping is expensive
1.47V is the maximum i will feed a Phenom II with excellent cooling
Check in bios for settings like
Voltage offset +50mv and enable
It gives freedom to 0.05V more voltage and great for oc
And other settings you might have
 
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.
 
If the phenom II 720 is not enough for your needs the X4 965 not worth upgrading
Phenom II X4 saves you a lot of cash but without OC not worth is
Try to OC 3 coors on the 720 take it to 3.7 on 1.45V or less Voltage and see the difference
Wait until you have 200£ sell it and the motherboard and get a i5 3570K
It is a 4+ year investment
 
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If your Phenom isnt cutting try overclocking it.
If then it still isnt cutting it think about a move to a 2500K (second and) or a 3570K.
If its still working fine just wait till Haswell in Q2/3 next year.
 
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.
 
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If it is stable at 3.6Ghz with 1.45V and temperature dose not go over 55 celsius after 30min in testing you are ok
If Temps over 55 reduce voltage and multi
Also do you have Voltage offset +50mv?
Increase front bus from 200mhz to 210mhz and X17 multiplier get it stable at lowest voltage
set 1.45 test 30min
lower to 1.44 test 30min
get it as low as you can until crash so u can find out from were to start to increase to obtain stability
EX: crash in testing at 1.4V so go to 1.415V and start testing for 12howers if crash go to 1.425V and test for 12howers
The moment it can do 12Howers it is ok
But get Stress Prime 2004 and start Bleed test priority 10 on core 0 and 2 other priority 10 small fps on core 1 and 2
It is important temperature to be below 55 degrees that is the limit in temperature and voltage 1.45V max 1.425V should be your aim
Temperature in stress testing are ok to 57-58max
 
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