Upgrade my CPU; Will it work, and which one?

VincentRustico · Nov 18, 2015

I bought a PC prebuilt from HP almost 1 month ago. I didn't plan on turning it into a gaming computer, I would have built my own but I decided to modify this one into a Gaming PC anyway. So far, I've already upgraded the GPU to a beautiful Strix 4GB GTX 960 and a 725 watt PSU. Unfortunately, the CPU that came prebuilt with the computer is heavily bottlenecking my performance with games. It is really crappy, only 2 cores. With Christmas approaching, I expect to get a decent amount of money which I will spend on a new processor, but I am not too aware of the difference between CPUs and how they have to work with certain mobos. I do not want to upgrade my mobo because that is a royal pain, so I plan on sticking with AMD. I was looking at the AMD FD8320FRHKBOX FX-8320 FX-Series 8-Core Black Edition Processor which is well within my price range, but I am not sure if this is the best choice, or even if it is compatible with my motherboard. I am gladly open to any suggestions. My PC specs are below. Thank you!

CPU: AMD A6-7400K dual-core 3.5 ghz
GPU: ASUS Strix GTX 960 4GB
Motherboard: HP Model 2B35
RAM: 8GB RAM 1600
HDD: Seagate 1TB
PSU: Sentey 725w

VincentRustico · Nov 18, 2015

The socket for the motherboard is FM2+, whatever that means.

SPgamer007 · Nov 18, 2015

Hello,
A FX 8320 is required AM3+ socket motherboard,hence no,your mobo is not compatible to it.
So,i'd suggest to go for Intel.
Also,you PSU needs to be changed,that PSU is cheap and made by an unknown manufacturer,new PSU is a must.

Seamz · Nov 18, 2015

Hey Vincent,

Motherboards come with a Socket type. Think of it like a designed lego piece and only matching pieces and fit in that socket. You will need a CPU that is designed for the FM2+ socket which is what the a6 7400k uses. The 8 core 8320 you're looking at uses an older but still efficient socket type called AM3+. They are not compatible and you should not spend your money on that CPU because it will not fit in your computer.

The best CPU you can fit into your FM2+ Socket on your motherboard is a AMD A10 7850 or 7870K. Although this CPU isn't as powerful as the 8320 by a large margin. Compare here http://www.cpubenchmark.net/high_end_cpus.html

You should be removing your current bottleneck. If you want to completely remove the bottleneck you will have to do a mobo+cpu swap which isn't too difficult if you plan it out and watch some youtube tutorials.

Best of luck!

Rogue Leader · Nov 18, 2015

That processor won't work, and if you can return that PSU its junk too. TBH even the best AMD APU isn't a huge jump here. You really need to replace the motherboard and then get a better processor (Such as the FX-8320, or if you go Intel you can get an i5 for example). However unfortunately then you also need to replace the ram you have (as it may not be compatible with your new motherboard).

You can see where I am going here.

If you want a processor upgrade this is the fastest one you can get that will most likely work with that PC:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819113372&cm_re=a10_65w-_-19-113-372-_-Product

You need a 65w processor, as that was the fastest available in that PC and I don't know that it will handle a higher TDP processor. Its really not an enormous performance jump at all. IMO I would save the money for a full upgrade as I mentioned above. I can't recommend spending money on any AMD APU especially not that one.

VincentRustico · Nov 19, 2015

Seamz :

Hey Vincent,

Motherboards come with a Socket type. Think of it like a designed lego piece and only matching pieces and fit in that socket. You will need a CPU that is designed for the FM2+ socket which is what the a6 7400k uses. The 8 core 8320 you're looking at uses an older but still efficient socket type called AM3+. They are not compatible and you should not spend your money on that CPU because it will not fit in your computer.

The best CPU you can fit into your FM2+ Socket on your motherboard is a AMD A10 7850 or 7870K. Although this CPU isn't as powerful as the 8320 by a large margin. Compare here http://www.cpubenchmark.net/high_end_cpus.html

You should be removing your current bottleneck. If you want to completely remove the bottleneck you will have to do a mobo+cpu swap which isn't too difficult if you plan it out and watch some youtube tutorials.

Best of luck!

Thank you sir! Makes this a lot more understandable now. I like the lego analogy.

Seamz · Nov 19, 2015

VincentRustico :

Seamz :

Thank you sir! Makes this a lot more understandable now. I like the lego analogy.

Anytime

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