Need Help with Upgrading My PC

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Scotta1212

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Feb 18, 2013
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So I am upgrading my PC but I'm looking at just the CPU and the motherboard (if needed). I am also going to get a new graphics card soon so any suggestions on that would be great.
Here are the Specs:
Processor - AMD PHENOM II X4 QUAD CORE 970 (3.50GHz/8MB CACHE/AM3)
Motherboard - ASUS® M5A78L-M/USB3: M-ATX, USB 3.0, SATA 3.0Gb/s
Memory - 4GB SAMSUNG DDR3 DUAL-DDR3 1333MHz (2 X 2GB) + ADDED 2X4GB CORSAIR RAM FOR A TOTAL OF 12GB RAM
Graphics Card - 1GB NVIDIA GEFORCE GTX 550 Ti - DVI,HDMI,VGA - 3D Vision Ready
Memory - 1st Hard Disk 1TB SERIAL ATA 3-Gb/s HARD DRIVE WITH 16MB CACHE (7,200rpm)
1st DVD/BLU-RAY Drive 24x DUAL LAYER DVD WRITER ±R/±RW/RAM
CORSAIR 600W PSU + 120mm Case Fan
Processor Cooling STANDARD AMD CPU COOLER

So, there are multiple things I was thinking to do:
- Replace the CPU with an updated AMD CPU like the 'AMD FX8350 Black Edition 8 Core Processor'.
-Replace the CPU with an Intel i5/i7 Processor which will be more expensive but the performance increase may be worthwhile?

I have also seen somewhere that certain new processors will not be compatible with my current motherboard which will require me to upgrade it so any insight/suggestions towards that would be helpful. My budget for the CPU+Motherboard is £300 at the most.
If there are any other improvements you think I should make to the system first, please let me know.
 
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beyondlogic

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Jun 6, 2013
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since your using pounds im assuming your in uk which is fine if your energy conscious like me intel is way to go if your going to go with amd get a fx 6350 this may be the best route in terms of power comsumption on amd side

as for intel youll see a drastic increase i would suggest broad well if you dont have windows 7 disc and key it will still be under 300

as all your old parts will be compatible

performance jump via intel haswell upgrade path to broadwell later
http://cpuboss.com/cpus/Intel-Core-i5-4570-vs-AMD-Phenom-II-X4-Black-970


via amd note you would need windows 8 for best results.

http://cpuboss.com/cpus/AMD-Phenom-II-X4-Black-970-vs-AMD-FX-6350

http://gpuboss.com/gpus/Radeon-HD-7870-vs-GeForce-GTX-550-Ti
old psu can be used for new graphics card especially with intel as the processors dont draw much

processor
motherboard
and os under the 300 mark
cooler is recomended and graphic card
http://uk.pcpartpicker.com/p/2gvHP
 
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Scotta1212

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Feb 18, 2013
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So, if I was to upgrade with these parts, would I require any extra software/downloads or would I be able to switch the parts and be ready to go? Also, do you know if the stock CPU cooler is sufficient?

Thanks
 
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beyondlogic

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your going to have to reinstall the os and i would def recomend a aftermarket cooler

 
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ganon11000

ganon11000

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Jul 21, 2012
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Actually A re-install of windows vista/7 is not needed. and the stock cooler works perfectly for my friend.

Just remember to uninstall every driver and motherboard utility and you'll be fine!
 
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dj2b4life

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Oct 26, 2013
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As an important note

If you're going to get an AMD FX 8320 or 8350, you will NEED to get an after-market cooler. This processor runs hot, and to be honest, the stock cooler will decrease it's life dramatically (especially when slight OC'ing).

As many will suggest, the Cooler Master Hyper 212 Evo is the way to go :)
... or if you have extra money to spare, the Noctua.

EDIT: Also, if you're going for a FX series, you'll need to upgrade your MoBo to a 970 chipset. AMD recommends a 970 chipset (or higher)

The AsRock 970 Extreme3 2.0 is currently on sale on NewEgg for about $70. Killer deal.

 
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beyondlogic

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um actually you will lol that doesnt actually work with every single motherboard thats why its recomended you do a clean install otherwise you will be greeted by a nice frozen screen even and windows 7 is prone to needing a reinstall
 
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ganon11000

ganon11000

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Jul 21, 2012
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I would uninstall all the drivers and utilities, especially the storage controllers (in device manager). Then do the ACHI enable mod just in case and finally OOBE (http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/135077-windows-7-installation-transfer-new-computer.html) then shut down, move the drive and it should boot.
 
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