Fastest CPU and GPU for under 500$

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dexxterlab97

Estimable
Jul 4, 2016
2,148
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What are some options. I want an i7
Also might getting a new gpu too
My mobo is ASUS H81M-E
I have an ASUS GTX 760 192bit OEM. I want something with a similar size

Power: 500W

Both should not cost more than 500
 
Solution
geofelt
What do you do with this pc?
If you run multithreaded apps such as rendering then a I7 might be appropriate.
But, I suspect your usage is gaming.

Then, the most effective upgrade may be cpu or gpu or both.
If your games are strategy, mmo, or sims, then you are most likely limited by your cpu single thread performance.
Your i5-4460@3.2 has a passmark rating of 6614 and a single thread rating of 1948.
For those types of games, a I3-6320@3.9 would likely be the most effective cpu change. Passmark is 6073/2245.
If you can afford a Z170 motherboard, a I5-6600K with an overclock would be considerably better.

OTOH, if your games are first person shooters or fast action games, then a graphics card upgrade would be appropriate.
You would...
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Stallion__

Stallion__

Commendable
Jul 13, 2016
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1,560
This is the best you can get for $500.
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-6600K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($229.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon RX 480 8GB Video Card ($269.99 @ B&H)
Total: $499.98
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-07-15 11:23 EDT-0400

If you really wanted an i7, you'd have to sacrifice a lot of GPU power, and the i5 usually has more value for gaming. You might want to wait a week or two though, because the actual RX480s have not come out yet, and its pretty worth the wait in my opinion.
 
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Stallion__

Stallion__

Commendable
Jul 13, 2016
45
0
1,560
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D

dexxterlab97

Estimable
Jul 4, 2016
2,148
1
3,465
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Hlsgsz

Hlsgsz

Champion
Feb 29, 2016
8,003
5
51,415


Well the MSRP for teh 6 gig version is $250. I'd wait and see, especially since you should not be getting a reference RX 480 and teh aftermarket ones are yet to come out.
 
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Stallion__

Stallion__

Commendable
Jul 13, 2016
45
0
1,560
Yea, thats what I was thinking.. Looking at the specs of the GTX 1060, I would wait and buy that. It should be coming out later this month! I'd wait for the company specific versions, though.

Whether or not the case is mATX doesn't matter. :p
 
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beshonk

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May 26, 2011
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18,710
I7's for that socket run about $300. You'd be better off with a K series I5 like this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819117372&ignorebbr=1 and overclocking it, and then pick up a GTX 1060 when they're available for $250.

**Your motherboard will need a BIOS update to support the second gen 4 series CPU I linked. I also don't think your motherboard will overclock well due to the chipset. If it won't overclock, you could get a non-k series I5 or I7, but the cheapest I7 is $295
 
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Hlsgsz

Hlsgsz

Champion
Feb 29, 2016
8,003
5
51,415


Seriously? Skylake on H81? :)
 
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D

dexxterlab97

Estimable
Jul 4, 2016
2,148
1
3,465


How about a 4790?
edit: nvm you just posted that
 
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Hlsgsz

Hlsgsz

Champion
Feb 29, 2016
8,003
5
51,415


Just a 200Mhz diff in base and boost frequency. Not worth the extra $60 towards that Xeon.
 
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geofelt

geofelt

Titan
Oct 9, 2006
54,296
4,145
174,240
What do you do with this pc?
If you run multithreaded apps such as rendering then a I7 might be appropriate.
But, I suspect your usage is gaming.

Then, the most effective upgrade may be cpu or gpu or both.
If your games are strategy, mmo, or sims, then you are most likely limited by your cpu single thread performance.
Your i5-4460@3.2 has a passmark rating of 6614 and a single thread rating of 1948.
For those types of games, a I3-6320@3.9 would likely be the most effective cpu change. Passmark is 6073/2245.
If you can afford a Z170 motherboard, a I5-6600K with an overclock would be considerably better.

OTOH, if your games are first person shooters or fast action games, then a graphics card upgrade would be appropriate.
You would want a significant graphics card upgrade. That would be perhaps to a GTX970 class card such as GTX1060

How to tell??
Here is my stock approach:
------------------------------------------------------------
To help clarify your CPU/GPU options, run these two tests:

a) Run YOUR games, but lower your resolution and eye candy.
If your FPS increases, it indicates that your cpu is strong enough to drive a better graphics configuration.
If your FPS stays the same, you are likely more cpu limited.

b) Limit your cpu, either by reducing the OC, or, in windows power management, limit the maximum cpu% to something like 70%.
Go to control panel/power options/change plan settings/change advanced power settings/processor power management/maximum processor state/
This will simulate what a lack of cpu power will do.
Conversely what a 30% improvement in core speed might do.

You should also experiment with removing one core. You can do this in the windows msconfig boot advanced options option. You will need to reboot for the change to take effect. Set the number of processors to less than you have.
This will tell you how sensitive your games are to the benefits of many cores.

If your FPS drops significantly, it is an indicator that your cpu is the limiting factor, and a cpu upgrade is in order.

It is possible that both tests are positive, indicating that you have a well balanced system, and both cpu and gpu need to be upgraded to get better gaming FPS.
-------------------------------------------------------------






 
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