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Is it worth it to upgrade my Phenom II X4 955 BE processor to Core i5 4690?

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  • Processors
  • Phenom
Last response: in CPUs
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September 20, 2014 9:27:32 AM

My PC specs are
Phenom II X4 955 BE Processor with stock heatsink
ASUS M5A78LM-T/USB3 Motherboard
6GB DDR3 RAM
Cooler Master Thunder 600W PSU
BenQ GL2250HM Monitor
2 TB Storage

I am using Phenom since 2011 and it has served me good so far. But lately I have been experiencing random slowdowns and whenever I start Chrome browser my CPU usage shoots upto 90 all of a sudden. And when I play Dragon Age Origins, my CPU usage is in high 80s. All in all Windows 7 and general desktop performance doesn't feel so snappy anymore.

So should I upgrade to Intel Core i5 4590 and MSI B85 G41 PC Mate Mobo or simply get CM Hyper 212 EVO and oc my Phenom to 4GHz? I want to spend my money wisely and avoid spending unncessarily for marginal performance increases.

So can upgrading to core i5 really make a big difference in performance for me? Or should I stick with my current Phenom and add afm cooler and oc it?

More about : worth upgrade phenom 955 processor core 4690

September 20, 2014 9:32:08 AM

I would recommend the upgrade to the i5. You will notice a much faster overall experience and the boards are much newer. What I would suggest is if you want to overclock the intel in the future, get the i5 4690k. It is unlocked allowing for better OC potential.

Also, I would deter away from a B85 board if you are buying a high end i5 chip. The B85 is fine for cheaper i3's and even some i5's but with a good cpu like the 4690( or 4690k), it is a wiser choice to go for a Z97 board. If you buy the 4790k, the Z97 is a MUST since the B85 isn't really intended for any overclocking.

Also, the B85 will probably need a BIOS update for the 4690k to even work.

Hope this helps and let me know if you want Z97 board suggestions.
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September 20, 2014 9:45:46 AM

A Z97 board is needed for the i5-4690k or i7-4790k. Some Intel CPUs seem like overkill for gaming (i.e. i7-5930k), but have hidden potential to unleash extra performance in programs that process image creation, programming, and video editing. You could compare the CPUs with sports cars to get a better picture of pricing and performance.

Q6600 = Lamborghini Contach
i7-920 = Lamborghini Diablo
i5-2500k = Lamborghini Gallardo
i7-2600k = Lamborghini Murcielago
i7-2700k = Lamborghini Murcielago LP640
i5-3570k = Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4 Spyder
i7-3770k = Lamborghini Murcielago LP670-4 SuperVeloce
i7-3960x = Lamborghini Reventon
i5-4690k = Lamborghini Huracan
i7-4790k = Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4
i7-4960x = Lamborghini Sesto Elemento
i7-5960x = Lamborghini Veneno
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September 20, 2014 10:22:57 AM

Windows isn't less snappy today than it was when you first installed it due to your hardware. It just the nature of Windows performance to degrade as programs get installed/uninstalled over time. If you want it snappy again, do a fresh install.

Personally, I do not think the performance increase you'd get, going from the Phenom IIx5 955BE processor to any Intel platform is worth the cost. If Dragon Age plays well enough for you as your system sits now (or after a fresh OS install), then leave things as they are and do a full system over-haul in a year or two.

Just my opinion.

-Wolf sends
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September 20, 2014 11:24:17 AM

tambeshakunt said:
I would recommend the upgrade to the i5. You will notice a much faster overall experience and the boards are much newer. What I would suggest is if you want to overclock the intel in the future, get the i5 4690k. It is unlocked allowing for better OC potential.

Also, I would deter away from a B85 board if you are buying a high end i5 chip. The B85 is fine for cheaper i3's and even some i5's but with a good cpu like the 4690( or 4690k), it is a wiser choice to go for a Z97 board. If you buy the 4790k, the Z97 is a MUST since the B85 isn't really intended for any overclocking.

Also, the B85 will probably need a BIOS update for the 4690k to even work.

Hope this helps and let me know if you want Z97 board suggestions.


I can't afford an overclockable Intel build. But If I go with core i5 4570, then will MSI B85 G41 PC Mate Mobo be any good for it?
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September 20, 2014 1:24:09 PM

You're not trying to game with the HD 3000 integrated graphics on your motherboard are you? I have a secondary PC with an X4 955 BE @ 3.6 Ghz and paired with an HD 7850 2GB (also overclocked) it handles most modern games quite well on medium to high settings @ 1680x1050 resolution. Some even maxed. Reinstall windows and get a decent dedicated graphics card and I'm sure you'll notice a big difference.
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September 20, 2014 10:14:26 PM

Try just as wolf said, a fresh windows install can do wonders, also, a more significant upgrade would be a dedicated video card, i dont know how are you even playing dragon age origins on a igpu that old.
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September 21, 2014 2:25:47 AM

jeffredo said:
You're not trying to game with the HD 3000 integrated graphics on your motherboard are you? I have a secondary PC with an X4 955 BE @ 3.6 Ghz and paired with an HD 7850 2GB (also overclocked) it handles most modern games quite well on medium to high settings @ 1680x1050 resolution. Some even maxxed. Reinstall windows and get a decent dedicated graphics card and I'm sure you'll notice a big difference.


You are right. I know that integrated graphic sucks but I mostly used to game on a CRT monitor previously at 800x600 or 1024x768 resolution at low-med settings occasionally.

Now that I have got myself a 1080p monitor (finally), I am saving for GPU upgrade to ASUS R9 280 hoping that it will be viable for at least 2-3 years of gaming. It will be my first GPU as I have never used/installed discrete graphics before.
I will update this post soon after I have got my new GPU and then consider a CPU upgrade if needed.
Thanks for the help man.
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