Best CPU upgrade for Crosshair IV Formula or new Mobo?

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gazmatron

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Hi all

I built a nice PC about 4 years ago to do some casual gaming. I have not played much for a while but there are a few games around that I like the look of, so I want to spruce the PC up a bit. I am no hard core gamer so don't want to spend the earth. My current set up is this:

Mobo: Asus Crosshair IV Formula
CPU: Phenon II X4 965 BE
GPU: Asus R9 280x
Ram: 12gb 1600mhz Corsair Vengeance

I am happy enough with the graphics card and RAM. My question is around my motherboard and CPU. The mobo was a fine model in its day. I had only intended to upgrade the CPU but I am finding that tricky due to the chip set. I had planned to buy an FX-8350. I was under the impression that I could update the BIOS on my mobo to accept that CPU but apparently not. The most recent BIOS update '3027' only supports up to the FX-8150 according to Asus support website.

I have read some posts that people have made it work but there are issues with power and heat. Has anyone used an FX-8350 on the CHIVF successfully?

I suppose the bigger question is 'Is it worth the hassle?'. Should I just bite the bullet and buy a newer more modern mobo? I was thinking of buying the Sabertooth 990x R2.0 to use with a new FX-8350.

I would appreciate any suggestions please.

Cheers
 
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NightAntilli
The best CPU you can upgrade to is a Phenom II X6 1100T. However, it wouldn't be much of an upgrade and you'll have a hard time finding one right now at a good price. I have to agree that upgrading to Intel is your best choice right now. Upgrading to a Sabertooth wouldn't really be worth it either... The performance jump simply isn't that big to warrant getting a good enough motherboard plus another AMD CPU.

And because I despise Intel's shady business practices from the past, I would encourage you to wait a year for AMD's Zen CPUs to come out instead of upgrading to Intel right now. Besides, AMD really needs the money lol.
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faalin

faalin

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Feb 22, 2012
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If your going through the trouble of buying a new MB and CPU i would suggest going intel. Go with a ASUS Z97-A LGA 1150 Intel Z97 and an i5 4460 will last you for long time. You will also be able to move everything over from your last board to this one. Will run you in the neighborhood of $350, and leaves you the option of moving to a intel K series cpu to overclock in the future if you want to.
 
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locojovo

locojovo

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Aug 11, 2014
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for future upgrades and good looks in game you should invest in a new mobo + good average cpu which you could still upgrade in the future if needed
the combination of Z97-A + i5 4660 is great!
 
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NightAntilli

NightAntilli

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Jun 12, 2014
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The best CPU you can upgrade to is a Phenom II X6 1100T. However, it wouldn't be much of an upgrade and you'll have a hard time finding one right now at a good price. I have to agree that upgrading to Intel is your best choice right now. Upgrading to a Sabertooth wouldn't really be worth it either... The performance jump simply isn't that big to warrant getting a good enough motherboard plus another AMD CPU.

And because I despise Intel's shady business practices from the past, I would encourage you to wait a year for AMD's Zen CPUs to come out instead of upgrading to Intel right now. Besides, AMD really needs the money lol.
 
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G

gazmatron

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I am playing Hitman Absolution. I was trying to get a clean 60fps but was finding I had to lower down a lot of the settings to do so.

I am also playing Far Cry 3 which does seem to run a bit better. Both of these games are a little older which made me think if I tried to play a more recent offering that I might really struggle. For instance I would also like to play Far Cry 4 and the new Rainbow Six Siege

 
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G

gazmatron

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I understand the basic concept of overclocking but I have not delved into it too much in the practical sense, as in changing voltages, timings etc.

I have used the on baord 'idiot prrof' methods that the CHIVF has, such as the boost button. Maybe I should look into that area a bit deeper and see what I can find.
 
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F

FinneousPJ

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Sep 7, 2011
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Apparently Hitman is notoriously bad with CPUs:
http://www.techspot.com/articles-info/608/bench/CPU_01.png

However in Witcher 3 for example AMD has no trouble outputting over 60 FPS
http://www.techspot.com/articles-info/1006/bench/CPU_01.png

So, I wouldn't change CPUs based on one game with shitty coding.
 
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G

gazmatron

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That is quite interesting. I had not thought about it from that angle before. Never realised that how the game has been coded can have such an effect on FPS.

Thanks for the eye opener
 
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NightAntilli

NightAntilli

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Oh that definitely influences a LOT. Some games are absurdly CPU heavy. But basically any game from DICE will work fine with your CPU. Look at Star Wars Battlefront. Even a Celeron G1820 can mostly maintain above 60 fps. Makes you wonder wtf other developers are doing, considering that Star Wars Battlefront is a very action heavy game and has amazingly stunning graphics.

Look at this;

CPU_01.png


CPU_01.png
 
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