Need help choosing a new CPU for some upgrades I am planning.

weishar · Nov 18, 2013

I have been doing my best to research this for weeks since my knowledge on CPU's is very limited and I would appreciate some help on the matter. I want to upgrade the RAM, motherboard, video card, and processor. The hardware I have decided to go with when it comes to the other upgrades is:

Motherboard: Asus Crosshair V Formula-Z ATX AM3+ Motherboard
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 780 Ti WindForce 3X OC
RAM: (2) G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 16GB

However I need some help deciding what processor I should get. I will be playing a lot of high end games like Crysis 3 and Battlefield 4 in 1080p and I want to be able to play those games lag free while maxed out. I also do a lot of HD recording, editing and rendering. Any help you could offer would be greatly appreciated.

maurelie · Nov 18, 2013

Well since you have picked AM3+ motherboard, the best you can do is FX 8350, avoid FX9370 and FX9590. If you were just gaming, FX8350 is good enough. But for rendering and video editing, there is nothing like intel's i7

weishar · Nov 18, 2013

maurelie :

I currently have an i5 in my computer and my clock speed is 3.4Ghz, I am aiming for a clock speed of 4Ghz or higher, thanks for the reply.

maurelie · Nov 18, 2013

weishar :

Well that is great, but you will need Z87 motherboard if you have intel processor, not an AM3+ one.

jinayhvora · Nov 18, 2013

if u already have an i5 don't go to an 8350

weishar · Nov 18, 2013

maurelie :

How about using the Gigabyte GA-Z87X-UD4H ATX LGA1150 Motherboard instead then if I went with an i7? If I went in that direction would I be good getting a Intel Core i7-4820K CPU for high end gaming as well as HD video editing and rendering? It's base clock is 3.7Ghz, could I overclock it to past 4Ghz?

Thanks for all the help so far!

jinayhvora · Nov 18, 2013

a Z87 board is incompatible with that processor, u need an LGA2011/X79 board for it, i would rather u got the 4770k with the Z87 as it's newer and it can be overclocked to make up for the difference in base clock

maurelie · Nov 18, 2013

-Gigabyte Z87X is fine board, Asus Z87-A is even better.
-For i7 4820k you will need X79 board
-Better get i7 4770k and Asus Z87-A, and you can overclock it pretty much past 4Ghz and more.

weishar · Nov 18, 2013

jinayhvora :

What could I overclock that processor too.

weishar · Nov 18, 2013

maurelie :

What makes the Asus Z87-A better? If I can overclock it past 4Ghz I am beyond happy with that!

So I guess the final results for my upgrades will be:

Motherboard: Asus Z87-A ATX LGA1150 Motherboard

RAM: (2) G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 16GB

Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 780 Ti WindForce 3X OC

Processor: Intel Core i7-4770K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor

How does that look? Any idea what the highest stable overclock speed is for that processor?

maurelie · Nov 18, 2013

weishar :

Couple of friends of mine oveclocked their i7 4770k, both of them are running stable at 4.5Ghz, one is using the Asus Z87-A the other is using Gigabyte Z87UD3H
But you will need good cooling, water cooling is preferable if you go past 4-4.1 Ghz

weishar · Nov 18, 2013

maurelie :

Will it make any difference if I am using a Cooler Master Haf X case with 3 large fans? In other words will I be able to get away with using that type of cooling instead of going with water cooling?

Also thanks for all the help so far, I have been having difficulty with this for close to a month now.

maurelie · Nov 18, 2013

Well big case with good airflow is always better, but you will need also cooling for the processor. If you are planing to overclock it to 4.0 Ghz, you can get air cooling , something like Cooler Master Hyper 212 Evo. But beyond 4.0Ghz better get water cooling, Corsair H100i will do the job just fine.

Btw,where are you from, and what is your budget?
Maybe we can help you in picking all the parts for you.

weishar · Nov 18, 2013

maurelie :

I am in Regina, SK (In Canada) and there is no budget limit really, as long as it isn't insane. I have never used water cooling but having water in my PC makes me paranoid of a random leak that destroys everything...

maurelie · Nov 18, 2013

Here is something with the parts you like, if it is too much we can change something.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i7-4770K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($319.99 @ Memory Express)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($28.79 @ DirectCanada)
Motherboard: Asus Z87-A ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($139.79 @ DirectCanada)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance LP 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($155.98 @ Newegg Canada)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($99.79 @ DirectCanada)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($64.79 @ DirectCanada)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 780 Ti 3GB Video Card ($710.35 @ TigerDirect Canada)
Case: Cooler Master Storm Enforcer ATX Mid Tower Case ($86.26 @ DirectCanada)
Power Supply: SeaSonic 620W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($74.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NS95 DVD/CD Writer ($17.00 @ Vuugo)
Total: $1697.73
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-11-18 15:12 EST-0500)

weishar · Nov 18, 2013

maurelie :

Thanks for the awesome list! I really appreciate this However I don't want to build a whole new PC I just want to upgrade the current one that I have. If I chose the cooling system, motherboard, CPU, and video card from this list would that work for upgrades instead of building a whole new PC?

maurelie · Nov 18, 2013

Which intel i5 do you have?

weishar · Nov 18, 2013

maurelie :

I would have to get onto my computer to check but unfortunately I am not going to have my computer in Regina until December at some point. I haven't touched the computer in about 3 years when it comes to upgrades so I don't remember exactly what is in it.

I just researched that EVGA video card and it looks friggin awesome!

maurelie · Nov 18, 2013

Sorry, but you need to be more specific so we can choose the best parts for your upgrade.

weishar · Nov 18, 2013

maurelie :

Damn, I'm really sorry. I just don't have any form of access to that right now. Guess I will just have to take the suggestions I got here and wait till my computer makes it here.

maurelie · Nov 18, 2013

Yes, better wait for your pc. It will be really bad if you buy the parts and they don't fit

Btw i'll keep track of this tread, so when you got your pc you can inform me about your processor.

weishar · Nov 18, 2013

maurelie :

Thanks a lot! I am very happy to have you ready to help me when I need ya! I can finally stop stressing over this too haha.

Need help choosing a new CPU for some upgrades I am planning.

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