CPU for R9 270x

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martz456

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Oct 3, 2012
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Right now my eyes are set on the i5 3570k

My specs
Motherboard: H61M-P31(G3)
GPU: R9 270x Vapor-X
CPU: i3-3220
PSU: SeaSonic M12II 620 Bronze

Should I get another CPU or is the i5 fine?
 
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Obnoxious

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As mentioned by logainofhades, your motherboard does not support overclocking, where the "K" edition CPU's are designed for overclocking, hence have an unlocked CPU multiplier. The "K" suffix on the i5 you desire to purchase denotes it's for overclocking: i5-3570K. The i5-3570 is not for overclocking, notice it does not have a "K" on the end.

Your motherboard does not support overclocking the CPU either, so it would be pointless to purchase a K edition CPU whilst paying more for it too. Your motherboard has the H61 chipset, which is not overclockable. If you had a P67 or Z68, then you could overclock (motherboard's with the prefix "Z" are designed for overclocking, i.e. the Z97.)

Since your motherboard's chipset is H61, it was released with Sandy Bridge (2nd generation CPU) support. The i5-3570K is Ivy Bridge (3rd generation), which is still supported with your motherboard only if you update your BIOS. You can tell the i5-3570K is Ivy Bridge by looking at the first number after the hyphen; i5-3570K, the 3 denotes third generation which is Ivy Bridge.

As mentioned Ivy Bridge is supported with your motherboard, only after you update to the latest BIOS released by your manufacturer, in this case MSI. You can find more details about your motherboard over at MSI here, and you can also downloaded the latest BIOS from MSI too here.

Also as mentioned by logainofhades, if you're willing to spend that much money on an i5, you'd be better off purchasing the Intel Xeon E3-1230 v2; which provides similar performance of an Intel i7-3770, but at a lower cost. Again to use the Xeon you'll need to update your BIOS. It's worth noting that the Xeon does not have an integrated GPU, so you'll need a dedicated GPU to use it; your R9 270x will work great. With that said, you won't be able to boot up your system with the Xeon if you do not have a GPU installed; regardless the Xeon is still worth the price per performance.

All the best. :)
 
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Obnoxious

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The Intel Xeon CPU's are originally designed for servers (hence why no integrated GPU), but it's not actually a problem; the Xeon E3-1230 v2 has been released for socket 1155, which is a mainstream socket for general consumers/public. To conclude, if the retailer states it's a server CPU then it's not an issue. As long as the CPU is the Intel Xeon E3-1230 v2, then there are no problems.

All the best. :)
 
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logainofhades

logainofhades

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Xeon is technically a Server CPU. The E3 1230v2, is a nothing more than an i7 without IGP and some added features you won't use. They work in regular desktop boards and it is on your CPU support list. ;) New motherboard would require new copy of windows as well. You are best sticking with the 1230v2. The cost involved to change platforms isn't worth it, as Haswell, the successor to Ivy, is only about 5-10% faster at best.
 
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logainofhades

logainofhades

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With the cost of windows, plus hardware, you are not really going to improve upon the 1230v2 enough to justify the cost. The current gen of chips are not fast enough to justify a total platform upgrade. Just get the 1230v2 and enjoy your system till at least skylake.
 
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Obnoxious

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Personally I too think that the Xeon E3-1230 v2 is the best upgrade path; it is effectively an i7-3770. It will most likely run GTA V no problem, remember the Xeon is providing a similar performance as the i7, whereas we often recommend i5's for gaming. Of course I cannot guarantee anything, since the specifications for GTA V have not yet been released.

The Xeon should handle any game no problem however; if anything it'll be your GPU or RAM that'll need upgrading. Of course the R9 270x is pretty much a high-end card anyhow.

It's not worth upgrading to Haswell/Broadwell if you're already on Ivy Bridge in my opinion; as mentioned by logainofhades, I'd wait for at least Skylake which is to be released next year/2015. You could however get more performance out of a CPU if you're willing to overclock; which would require a new motherboard and CPU. Overall I think the Xeon E3-1230 v2 in your current system should last you a few years; and it'll be able to play any game currently released with ease.

All the best. :)
 
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Obnoxious

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I'd just install the latest BIOS update. You don't need to install the earlier versions with your motherboard; you can simply install the latest one and you're good to go.
 
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Obnoxious

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No problem at all! Glad you were able to update the BIOS. Yes, when updating the BIOS the SATA mode is often changed; changing it manually should allow you to boot into Windows (often AHCI), as you have successfully done. :)

You should now be able to install any supported CPU into your motherboard without worrying about BIOS updates.

All the best. :)
 
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