Best CPU upgrade path for gaming?

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Dralsi

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Apr 30, 2016
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Hello,
I'm trying to help upgrade my friend's PC to be able to play Overwatch to at least a similar performance level as a PS4. We have a low budget, somewhere around $150 but preferably lower, so I'm trying to pick just one thing to upgrade. I think the CPU is the limiting factor, and the mobo limiting that on top. Here are some specs:

CPU: AMD Athlon(tm) 64 X2 Dual Core Processor 5200+
MOBO: ASUS M2N-E
GPU: MSI AMD Radeon HD 6850 1024 MB
RAM: 6 GB DDR2
Not sure the PSU, but I think it's somewhere around 400 W

What is the best path to upgrade? I love my i3 Sandy Bridge and i3 seems to be the go-to entry level gaming processor. Do we give in and replace mobo and buy an Intel? Is there a good value AMD cpu that could fit on this mobo? Thanks for any help provided
 
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geez, limited $150 with such an old base. You need to build a new cpu, motherboard and ram. Hoping the 6850 could hold against the current game. I used to have a 6850, so I know how limited it is.
For $150, nothing i could recommend because it would only hurt you in the long run.
For $200, you have 2 route to choose.

First is this combo:
Intel Core i3-6100 3M 3.7 GHz LGA 1151 BX80662I36100 Desktop Processor $124.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=2MN-0004-00002
ASUS H110M-A LGA 1151 Intel H110 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 uATX Intel Motherboard $49.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813132646
2x(Team Elite Plus 4GB 288-Pin DDR4 SDRAM DDR4 2133 (PC4 17000) Desktop Memory Model TPD44GM2133HC1501) 2x...
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Ecky

Ecky

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Feb 3, 2013
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Socket AM2 has some minor upgrade options, but I don't think they're worthwhile.

My thoughts: Either a socket 1150 (4th gen) Pentium G3258, H81 motherboard, and 8GB DDR3, or a socket 1151 (6th gen) Pentium G4400, H110 motherboard, and 8GB DDR4. The G4400 system will be a little more expensive, and can't overclock, but is faster at stock clocks and has a better upgrade path.
 
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Dralsi

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Apr 30, 2016
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I'm looking at the G3258 vs. the G4400 and the G4400 is cheaper but the boards seem more expensive. Would a B150 mobo work? Seems a bit cheaper than H81 or H110 and I don't think he'll ever need more than one GPU and more than 16gb RAM.
 
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Dralsi

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Apr 30, 2016
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Haha yeah I think I mis-used the term upgrade path. A skylake i3 would be awesome and set him up for a long time but convincing the wife to spend the extra money may be difficult. If only sandy bridge had a steep discount due to age I would do that.
 
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Ecky

Ecky

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Feb 3, 2013
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B150 is a better chipset than H110, and is generally more expensive.

H110 < B150 < H170 < Z170.

Any of these would work fine, really. B150 adds more RAM slots and things like onboard RAID. H170 often has a lot of goodies like improved sound, more LAN ports. Z170 allows for overclocking when paired with an i5 6600K or i7 6700K, but would offer no advantage over H170 for a Pentium.
 
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Archaic59

Archaic59

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Jan 6, 2015
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You could use the same setup I listed with a G4440 and upgrade the CPU later. This would bring you more on budget and preserve the upgrade path.
 
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schaft

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Jan 24, 2012
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geez, limited $150 with such an old base. You need to build a new cpu, motherboard and ram. Hoping the 6850 could hold against the current game. I used to have a 6850, so I know how limited it is.
For $150, nothing i could recommend because it would only hurt you in the long run.
For $200, you have 2 route to choose.

First is this combo:
Intel Core i3-6100 3M 3.7 GHz LGA 1151 BX80662I36100 Desktop Processor $124.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=2MN-0004-00002
ASUS H110M-A LGA 1151 Intel H110 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 uATX Intel Motherboard $49.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813132646
2x(Team Elite Plus 4GB 288-Pin DDR4 SDRAM DDR4 2133 (PC4 17000) Desktop Memory Model TPD44GM2133HC1501) 2x ($15.99)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820313509

Second route are:
AMD FX-6300 Vishera 6-Core 3.5 GHz (4.1 GHz Turbo) Socket AM3+ 95W FD6300WMHKBOX Desktop Processor $99.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819113286
ASRock 970M Pro3 AM3+/AM3 AMD 970 + AMD SB950 6 x SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 Micro ATX AMD Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130815 $64.99
$49.99 after $15.00 rebate
G.SKILL Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-1600C9D-8GAB $31.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231546

Technology wise, intel is the one you should go. Here some comparison of both i3-6100 and Fx-6300 on some popular games
http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/digitalfoundry-2015-intel-core-i3-6100-review
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G5ejBlynOV8
Please pick as best answer if your question has been answered
 
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Solution
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Dralsi

Commendable
Apr 30, 2016
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1,510
Thanks for the replies every one. Can I get a quick double check to ensure these 3 parts are compatible?
These three:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231546&ignorebbr=1
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813132469&ignorebbr=1
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819117374&ignorebbr=1

or these three:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819117625&ignorebbr=1
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813132646&ignorebbr=1
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231962&ignorebbr=1
 
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Archaic59

Archaic59

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Jan 6, 2015
10,038
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The second set of parts is compatible and has the upgrade path you need. That's the one. ;)
The board supports DDR4 2133 so the 2400 you picked will run at 2133. Here's a list-

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Pentium G4400 3.3GHz Dual-Core Processor ($59.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: Asus H110M-A Micro ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill NT Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR4-2133 Memory ($33.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $143.96
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-04-30 02:41 EDT-0400
 
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schaft

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Jan 24, 2012
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Don't get your first choice. Get the second choice. For the same price, why would you take the older model? It just not make sense. For ram, i suggest you take what i have suggested. For $4 difference, the heatsink will help you in the long run. I know ram has lifetime warranty, but a heated ram will slow performance although only a bit.
 
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