Need help upgrading: AMD or Intel

Brendan_14 · Apr 28, 2014

Calm your inner fan boy, please. I'm not here to argue nuances, I just need a straight answer, because searching tom's and the internet hasn't helped clear the picture too much.

I'm looking to upgrade to a GTX 770 OC, but I currently have a Phenom II X4 975 BE OC @ 3.95 (running on an AsRock 970 extreme3 w/ a Swiftech Polaris 120 Heatsink). I have a feeling that I'm going to bottleneck myself, and I don't want to do that, especially since I want to be able to play Watch Dogs (feel free to correct me if I'm wrong about my assumption).

I need to know, either should I upgrade to a higher AMD, or should I switch my Mobo over to Intel and get a CPU that can run a 770? I'm looking for the best price for performance option here please, not what fan screams the loudest.

Links:

770 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125463)
CPU - Current (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103923)
Mobo (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157394)
PSU (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371048)

PS.

I'm looking to upgrade to an AIO liquid cooler since I'm doing CPU only, so I might be able to increase the OC on my current CPU a bit. I got to 4.2, but it wasn't constantly stable (would run for hours, but eventually it'd kick out. I think it needed more voltage).

Cooler (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103181)

Any and all help is greatly appreciated

Xtwargodtx · Apr 28, 2014

Whats your budget

wh3resmycar · Apr 28, 2014

a lot of improvement can be seen when you upgrade to an 8320/i5. the i5 will yield better results though.

Brendan_14 · Apr 28, 2014

Xtwargodtx :

GAH, I knew I was forgetting something. Right now I want to shoot for under 800. I'm at $559.88 atm due to this

http://prntscr.com/3eef4a

JOOK-D · Apr 28, 2014

Watch Dogs is asking for an i7.

If you can squeeze it into your budget I'd grab a Xeon 1230v3 (almost the equivalent of an i7 4770, but much cheaper) and B85 or H87 motherboard.

Danbuscus25 · Apr 28, 2014

for a budget of $800 go for the i5 4670k, or xeon E3-1230 v3.

Danbuscus25 · Apr 28, 2014

if you go for the xeon E3-1230 v3 then you wont be able to afford a Z87 board

leeb2013 · Apr 28, 2014

There is no single answer as there are too many variables. Every thread you read about Intel vs AMD will have mixed opinions, you'll never find a thread in which everyone says AMD is best or Intel is best at doing whatever you want to do on your PC.

"Performance" is subjective too. Do you mean "best fps in watchdogs" or best performance in something else, best temps, lowest power consumption?

Typically, AMD has best performance/$, but there are reasons why they have to charge less and reasons why most people (according to the Steam survey) still choose, the generally more expensive Intel.

Xtwargodtx · Apr 28, 2014

Intel i7 4770k is your best bet. U should also consider an aftermarket cpu cooler because it is haswell based ( correct me if I am wrong but I think the i7 4770k is haswell) something like a Corsair H60, Noctua D-14, and if your on a tight budget Cooler master evo 212 are all great choices

leeb2013 · Apr 28, 2014

Danbuscus25 :

why would you need a Z87 mobo, a cheap B85 would be fine.

Xtwargodtx · Apr 28, 2014

OH SH1T didn't see the seidon ur buying forget what I said about the heatsinks just make sure u buy some good thermal paste. ( My fav thermalpaste is Arctic cooling mx4)

Brendan_14 · Apr 28, 2014

leeb2013 :

I guess, I'm looking for a balance between performance and price honestly. Temps and noise don't bother me as much. I just want my games to be smooth and fast.

Xtwargodtx :

And That's what I've got in my computer tool kit haha.

Danbuscus25 · Apr 28, 2014

well, if you were going with the i5 4670k then you would want a z87 board to overclock. and the i7 4770k is not the best bet, that wont leave much room for the gpu. i would go with i5 4670(K), if you dont get the K version then get a b85 board. if you specifically want high performance in watchdogs, the the xeon E3-1230 v3, because it is an i7 4770 without the graphics, and is much cheaper.

CTOAGN · Apr 28, 2014

Like other people said go for either an FX-8320 or intel i5 3570k but both have same overall performance (CPUBOSS) and the 8320 is about $60 as cheaper

Danbuscus25 · Apr 28, 2014

eh, if you want to go intel over amd, go with socket 1150, as socket 1155 has no upgrade path. fx 8320 and hyper 212 evo cooler for $170 is a great pair, and will leave more room for a gpu, but i would still suggest intel.

Brendan_14 · Apr 28, 2014

CTOAGN :

That and I won't have to buy a new mobo/ Windows license.

Danbuscus25 :

But I'm curious, what's your reasoning for taking the intel over the fx 8320?

Danbuscus25 · Apr 28, 2014

it has better performance than the 8320, uses less power so it saves on your electric bill, doesnt get quite as hot (well, the 8320 wont with the 212 evo) and it has an upgrade path.

Brendan_14 · Apr 28, 2014

What about this?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819113346

leeb2013 · Apr 28, 2014

regarding a socket 1150 mobo having an upgrade path, I don't think it's been confirmed that Broadwell will use 1150 and even if it does, I've read reports that it will need a new chipset anyway ie. 9x chipset.

CTOAGN · Apr 28, 2014

@Danbuscus The i5-3570k only outperforms in single core performance but overall the 8320 performs slightly better at a better cost. Also the 8320 has 7 more mb in the l2 cache for later quick access, Higher clock speed, Better overclocking capabilities (if op wants to OC) twice as many cores so he can run more programs, slightly better l3 cache (same benifits as l2), twice as many threads, and has a better passmark and passmark OC scores along with cinebench r11.5

CTOAGN · Apr 28, 2014

The only place the 3570k is better in passmark and cinebench scores is in single core perfomance and the passmark is only marginal

Brendan_14 · Apr 28, 2014

So after much consideration, it looks like the 8320 is a better price for marginal performance drop. I won't be OCing much, but I don't want to have to spend more on intel just to have to buy another mobo anyway. I'll consider another route if AMD doesn't work out next time I look to upgrade. Thank you all so much for the help.

Danbuscus25 · Apr 28, 2014

ok

so an fx 8320 and a cooler right? the hyper 212 evo is only $30 and is much quieter and will run cooler to allow more overclocking

and regarding broadwell, it will be socket 1150, however yes it will be chipset 9 and z97, but haswell-E will run a z87 i believe.

CTOAGN · Apr 28, 2014

The Hyper 212 Evo at most should be a little more than hearing a whisper 6ft away in a quiet library but it is a good pick for any build

Danbuscus25 · Apr 28, 2014

^nice profile pic lol and yeah the hyper 212 evo is almost unnoticeable, and depending on your case, is completely unnoticeable at low rpm's.

Need help upgrading: AMD or Intel

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