Buying new CPU

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Nardo777

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Jun 26, 2013
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Hi everyone. I find myself in the need of asking what CPU I should be getting, and if possible, you could educate me a little in the process so I can start doing my own research next time.

The only thing I know about CPU's that might matter is the core ammount (being that 2 cores can perform two tasks, 4 cores four tasks, etc), as well as the threads (which I believe translates into virtual cores?). I also know that the GHz indicate the speed at which the cores clock, which matter in terms of how fast they can perform their assigned tasks.

I however have no clue what the cache is, or how relevant that might be. I also don't know how to see if a certain CPU would be compatible with my motherboard or not.

Currently the CPU i have is an Intel Core 2 Duo E7600 (3.06 Ghz)
My motherboard is an Acer EG43M.


Considering I'm going to use my computer mostly for gaming, what kind of CPU should I get? I am not very demanding, though if I'm going to buy a new one, then I'd rather notice a substantial difference.


I've had my eye on the Intel Core i3-560 Processor ( 3.33 GHz, 4 MB Cache ) though I am not sure if the difference would be worth it/noticeable.


If there are better alternatives around the same price range (preferably not scaling over 160€) I'm also open to those choices.


I'm sure you get questions like this all the time, and so I wish to thank whoever can answer my own. I really appreciate it.
 
Solution
Fox_

I just ordered an i5-4670K and a MSI Z87-G45 Gaming motherboard to replace my ancient Pentium D 945 and generic crappy dell motherboard. I haven't received it yet as I just ordered yesterday, but that motherboard seams nice for the price. You never want to get...
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Nardo777

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Jun 26, 2013
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Moslty RPG's, though occasionally I might also play a shooter or two.

Games in the same line as TESV: Skyrim, or Fallout 4 (whenever that comes out).
A few MMORPG's like Tera or Guild Wars 2, though I'm really casual on them.

And Saints Row IV when it comes out this summer.
 
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Nardo777

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Well... I am currently capable of playing skyrim at 1920 x 1080 on high, mostly at 34 fps (and that is using those new enb mods which i am aware that cut fps in half as it is) (on close spaces it always go past 60)

When I said I am not very demanding, I really mean that if it can run at 32 fps + then i'm all for it. more is better, but I don't really find the need for it.

I was just wondering if the next step I should take should be in upgrading the CPU or not.

I don't mean to be rude, I just find it really hard to believe i need to build a computer from scratch when I can already play these games. Is there really no way to upgrade past this point? What am I lacking?
 
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Fox_

Fox_

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Mar 16, 2013
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First of all, if you are going to get a new CPU you will have to buy a new motherboard. You can tell which motherboards are compatible with which CPUs by the socket type. Intel's sockets are just numbers (such as 775, 1156, 1155, 1150, etc) while AMD's are a letter/number combination (AM3, AM3+, FM2, etc). Your CPU is socket 775, an older socket. When you look at processors on sites such as Newegg.com, they list what socket the processor is and then you match it with a motherboard that has that socket type.

CPU cache is the processor's own memory, its purpose is to reduce the amount of time it takes the processor to access the RAM. Cache amounts aren't very big, but they are faster than the RAM. They keep copies from frequently used data located in the RAM memory.

And as far as GHz, faster doesn't always mean better.
The CPU you are considering is not a good choice because it is old with a dead socket (socket 1156). You want to go with a cpu with socket 1150 or 1155. 1150 is the newest, but the Haswell i3s(Haswell is the name of the latest generation core processors) for that socket have not come out yet. The i5-4570 looks like it fits in your price range, but you will have to buy a new motherboard. Also what graphics card do you have for gaming?
 
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Nardo777

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Jun 26, 2013
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I currently have an Asus Radeon HD 7770 Direct CU.

Thank you for the explanation. So I'll have to go hunt for a new motherboard first then.
Do i need to worry about the new motherboard being compatible with the RAM I have installed on this one? Or is it irrelevant?
 
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Fox_

Fox_

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Is your RAM DDR2 or DDR3? DDR2 RAM is physically different and will not fit in a new motherboard.
 
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Fox_

Fox_

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Then it will be fine. how much do you want to upgrade, if just a little you might aswell wait until the Haswell i3s come out, if a lot you could get a new motherboard and an i5 now, but that is more expensive.

 
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Nardo777

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Jun 26, 2013
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You mean wait until the Haswell i3s come out, because it will cause a price drop on the i5 and corresponding motherboard? or is it that that new generation of processors would actually be cheaper when they do come out?

Whichever case, I can wait until it comes out. It looks to be the wisest thing to do.

Edit: or did you mean whether i want to have a better cpu or much better one (being the better/cheapest the I3, the much better one/more costly the i5?)
 
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Fox_

Fox_

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Yes, I meant that the i3 would be better than your current setup, but an i5 would be better than an i3. The release of the i3s won't make the i5 prices drop. The i3s will be cheaper than the i5s however.
 
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Fox_

Fox_

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If your most demanding task is casual gaming, I would recommend an i3. If you don't feel like waiting an Ivy Bridge i3 would still have a noticeable difference over your core 2 Duo.

 
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Nardo777

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Jun 26, 2013
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I think I'll probably just buckle my belt and go for the i5. Seems like a better investment in my eyes.
Thank you very much for your patience, and educating me a little about this.

One last question: Is there anything in particular I should worry about a new motherboard? (other than being sure it has 1150 socket)? Does a motherboard have a serious impact on how my computer performs on it's daily tasks? Or is there any specific motherboard that would better suit my needs?

 
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Fox_

Fox_

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Mar 16, 2013
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I just ordered an i5-4670K and a MSI Z87-G45 Gaming motherboard to replace my ancient Pentium D 945 and generic crappy dell motherboard. I haven't received it yet as I just ordered yesterday, but that motherboard seams nice for the price. You never want to get a cheap motherboard and have it die in 6 months. Also make sure it is 787 instead of any other chipset, shouldn't be something to worry about because the mid to high end range are all 787 I think. As for which specific i5, if you are not overclocking do not get the 4570K.
 
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Fox_

Fox_

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No problem, I'm happy to help, and sorry I don't know what I was thinking but yes it is Z87 not 787.
 
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