Upgrading CPU. Is it worth the upgrade?

Guest · Apr 6, 2013

I'm looking to upgrade the CPU in my desktop.
My desktop currently has an AMD Phenom II X4 965 BE quad-core (stock 3.4GHz) CPU installed.
I'm looking to buy an AMD FX-8320 eight-core 3.5GHz CPU to replace my X4 965 BE. The FX-8320 will cost me $110.
Is it worth the $110 to upgrade from an X4 965 BE to an FX-8320 in terms of raw gaming performance?
My current graphics card is an ASUS Radeon HD 6770 1GB GDDR5 card, if that helps.

ASHISH65 · Apr 6, 2013

yes it is worthwile upgrade for sure.but you will not get huge differnce due to your gpu - 6770

wdmfiber · Apr 6, 2013

Overall you likely won't even notice a difference. Marketing indicates you'll be gaining 4 more cores. But it's a 4 module shared resource system. It's not a true 8 core system, like say... an Intel LGA 2011 Xeon workstation CPU.

Tom's CPU Hierarchy Chart, you're only one tier group from the top(not considering Intel CPU's). Plus you only have an entry level GPU, this is where you need an upgrade.
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gaming-cpu-review-overclock,3106-5.html

swilczak · Apr 6, 2013

It would be more worth it to upgrade the graphics card. I have an 8320, and it would improve your performance with some games, others there will be no difference.

logainofhades · Apr 6, 2013

Money would be better spent on a better graphics card. If you feel the need for more CPU power after that, get a quality cpu cooler and overclock your 965 a bit. 965 owners, I believe, should wait for steamroller for their gaming rigs.

Guest · Apr 6, 2013

I understand that I won't gain huge performance from this kind of CPU upgrade, but for $110 is it still worth the upgrade? I paid $120+ for my X4 965 BE.

swilczak · Apr 6, 2013

I would do it because it's a good CPU especially when overclocked and it goes for $175 normally.

wdmfiber · Apr 6, 2013

Depends on what $110 is worth to you. You might make that well before lunch on a Monday... Personally I won't buy anything below a new i7. I remember my old Q6600; decent mid-level CPU back in "the day". Release price was $850, lol.

PC's have certainly hit the floor in component costs! $110 for a 8320, I didn't even know it was that inexpensive!
_________
edit, for some work hyperthreading is of benefit to me

cmi86 · Apr 6, 2013

Yes for $110 buy the thing. Simple as that.

logainofhades · Apr 6, 2013

It isn't a bad deal on CPU, but you would get more gaming performance spending that $110 on this.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161402

swifty_morgan · Apr 6, 2013

if you game at 1200 resolution or below don't change anything. if you game above that buy a new graphics card.

Guest · Apr 6, 2013

I want to be able to say that I have an eight-core gaming machine, and I was originally going to get the FX-8350 which's about $220, for $110 less I can get an FX-8320 (which is basically an FX-8350 with a lower clock speed) and still be able to say that I have an eight-core machine

swifty_morgan · Apr 6, 2013

so the size of your swagger is more important than real performance...

Guest · Apr 6, 2013

No, but I'd much rather pay $110 for a CPU than pay $220 for basically the same CPU. You guys have made it clear that there will be a performance gain, which is definitely good, and I was planning on upgrading to an FX-8000 series CPU anyway, so...

swifty_morgan · Apr 6, 2013

ask them this. will it give more performance in the things you specifically use the pc for? or will having that near useless video hold you back more than replacing the cpu?

Guest · Apr 6, 2013

I probably should've mentioned this earlier, but I actually have two HD 3870X2 1GB dual-GPU graphics cards, and an HD 4870X2 2GB dual-GPU graphics card that I use part-time.

swifty_morgan · Apr 6, 2013

the 6770 is faster.

jitpublisher · Apr 6, 2013

So I guess the real issue here is, what will the extra cores net you in gaming performance over the 4 cores you have now? Absolutely none. Zip. Ziltch. Zero. Nada. $110 is indeed a great price. But if you realize no performance advantage over what you have now, then it is $110 tossed into the garbage can, right? You would indeed notice a bigger improvement with a better GPU than what you have now.

Guest · Apr 6, 2013

Okay, so what's the cheapest graphics card upgrade that will give me noticeably better performance over my HD 6770?

swifty_morgan · Apr 6, 2013

got $200?

Guest · Apr 6, 2013

Looking at under $130.

swifty_morgan · Apr 6, 2013

be patient. save another 20-40 dollars. you'll be glad you did.

logainofhades · Apr 6, 2013

@ 110: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161402

@130: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125447

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gaming-graphics-card-review,3107-3.html

swilczak · Apr 6, 2013

The fx 8320 will make your computer start up faster, it will make your games load faster and you may see some minor improvements in frame rates on some games that are CPU hungry, like I know the COD black ops games are CPU hungry. If you can get it for $110 as a one time deal, I would do it and sell your Phenom II on craigslist, ebay, amazon, or facebook then save money for a better GPU.

wdmfiber · Apr 6, 2013

Get a GTX Titan too, then go around telling everyone you have 2696 cores and lizzard people control the world.

Upgrading CPU. Is it worth the upgrade?

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