Is it worth upgrading my CPU?

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metal5890

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Sep 28, 2013
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I was thinking of upgrading my CPU recently, but I've been reading an article on the site that made me kinda have second thoughts.

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gaming-cpu-review-overclock,3106-5.html

I was mostly looking at the hierarchy section of the article because the recommended ones are mostly Intel and I have an AMD 3+ MOBO. Right now I have the phenom II X4 965 BE, and I WAS looking at the Fx-8350 seen here:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819113284

But the article I linked says that it wouldn't be worth the upgrade if it isn't 3 tiers above mine. Now I would think going from 4 core to 8 core would be a hell of a difference, but hey that's why I'm here. Also after reading some reviews about the 8350 I've seen a few say that instead of 8 cores its more like a "hyper-threaded quad-core", whatever that means. Once again I'm at the mercy of the almighty TH community. So is it worth the upgrade?
 
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E
Multiplayer games usually tend to benefit from a good CPU. A game like WoW is fairly CPU intensive, and favors Intel CPUs.

If you do overclock, it would likely hold you over, and you can hold off on buying a new CPU.

I believe the CM Hyper 212 EVO would work, comes to around $30-35, and is praised fairly often on these forums.
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enemy1g

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Oct 3, 2013
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Depends on the rest of your system as well. If you could upgrade to a high end GPU and a 8320 (recommended over the 8350 as you can easily overclock it past the speeds of a 8350 for cheaper), then it would likely be recommended that you upgrade.

If you simply upgrade to a high end GPU, you could possibly find a botteneck.
 
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enemy1g

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In another thread I was just in, someone mentioned they had issues with a CPU bottleneck using a 955 (I believe) and a 7850/7870, but lessened the bottleneck with a OC to 3.6 GHz.

The 7950 is a good card, and would pair well with a 8320. And if you choose to upgrade your GPU in the future, the 8320 should be more than adequate for your CPU needs. I would recommend upgrading.
 
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Wisecracker

Wisecracker

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I've got an HD7950 with a PhII 965BE at 3.9GHz and it does a bang-up job.

I might get X% more fps with a CPU upgrade, but other than benching I'm not so sure I would see that big of a difference (except in limited titles or the 'usual suspect' games)

If you feel you have to make the move, the FX-8320 would be the price/performance move ... or, you could wait and see if AMD releases a new stepping Piledriver.

 
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metal5890

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Well see I don't have mine over clocked ATM because I've got a buddy who has drilled it in my head that if I'm gonna over clock it I need more cooling. The main reason I wanna upgrade is to lighten the effect that big wide open areas in gaming has on my fps. It might just me being picky but I can see the difference when it drops fro 60-70 to 40-45. And I've noticed its always in areas that are from my vastly unexstensive knowledge CPU based. Let's say in MMO games in highly populated cities, skyrims over world (with mods), FC3 overworld, etc....
 
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enemy1g

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Oct 3, 2013
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Multiplayer games usually tend to benefit from a good CPU. A game like WoW is fairly CPU intensive, and favors Intel CPUs.

If you do overclock, it would likely hold you over, and you can hold off on buying a new CPU.

I believe the CM Hyper 212 EVO would work, comes to around $30-35, and is praised fairly often on these forums.
 
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metal5890

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Sep 28, 2013
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OK so maybe I will hold off on the upgrade and get some cooling instead. I'd be able to over clock my current CPU and wait out for maybe the next best thing to come out. Then when I am ready to upgrade I can use the cooling I get now to put on the new CPU. Thanks guys very informative and helped me save some money and I'll still get a decent performance boost it seems. Solution goes to enemy1g.
 
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beyondlogic

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Jun 6, 2013
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The stock cooling with amd hasnt gotten any better the coolers they provide are very poor quality

you should least get a aftermarket cooler 4 to 6 heatpipes ill look around for one
 
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Wisecracker

Wisecracker

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The stock cooling with amd hasnt gotten any better the coolers they provide are very poor quality
Click to expand...

My OC is on a 'stock' AMD double heatpipe cooler with a solid copper base using Arctic Silver TIM. Under-volted the CPU using PhenomMSRTweaker ...

HTPC_Fox790FX_load_1-3125v_05.png


That's 19x200MHz with the IMC/NB at 2400MHz. I'm now running 19.5x200MHz with the IMC/NB at 2200MHz and 1.3125v ... on a Foxconn 790FX AM2+

The mobo over-volts 0.025v +/-.


 
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