Looking to upgrade my CPU

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xilliance

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Jun 15, 2017
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I was thinking about upgrading my CPU from Intel(R) Pentium(R) CPU G3260 @ 3.30GHz (2 CPUs), ~3.3GHz to a i5 cpu but im not sure what model to get with my current pc build, and please mention anything I have to do when upgrading, like installing any new software etc.

My current build:
System Manufacturer: Gigabyte Technology Co., Ltd.
System Model: B85M-D3H
BIOS: FB
Processor: Intel(R) Pentium(R) CPU G3260 @ 3.30GHz (2 CPUs), ~3.3GHz
Memory: 8192MB RAM
Available OS Memory: 8088MB RAM
Page File: 5255MB used, 5063MB available
Card name: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960
Manufacturer: NVIDIA
Chip type: GeForce GTX 960



 
Solution
imsqam
First, I think you are fine for the PSU, you should have plenty of headroom for upgrades.

I think the other posters hit the nail on the head, the i5-4460 is a good match for the GTX 960. The 4430 and 4440 are good choices too. As geofelt stated, even an i3-4170 or i3-4150 is a good match if it fits the games you play. Last suggestions are either a...
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imsqam

imsqam

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Mar 25, 2011
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We need a budget, make and model of PSU, RAM and case.

The G3260 is a socket FCLGA1150 CPU so a new platform CPU like an i5-7600K will not be compatible. Here is the list of socket 1150 i5's that are available new from various vendors in the PCPartPicker database. Be aware that these CPU's have a higher wattage than the G3260, PSU replacement might be an issue.
https://pcpartpicker.com/products/compare/F63RsY,DNrG3C,ZDx9TW/

If you want something newer then you will need to replace the mobo and mostly likely the RAM as well.

if you wish, download this program (its free)
http://www.cpuid.com/softwares/cpu-z.html

It will extract information on your CPU (CPU/Caches), mobo (Mainboard), memory timings (Memory), installed RAM model and standard timings (SPD) and video card (Graphics)
http://imgur.com/MIbyAYX

As well, open up the case and look at the Power Supply Unit (PSU), there should be a label which gives you make and model. If you want, just take a picture and upload it to the Imgur website, it is free to join.
http://imgur.com/

Once you have this info (plus the case make/model) then provide it along with a budget, country of purchase and any local online vendors you wish to use.
 
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geofelt

geofelt

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Oct 9, 2006
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When you replace with a compatible cpu, you need do nothing.
It will boot and recognize the new cpu.

Perhaps of more importance is why do you need a cpu upgrade.

If your games tend to be single threaded like sims, strategy and mmo then concentrate on an upgrade with a higher clock rate.
I3-4170@3.7($133) will give you 4 threads and might be a good budget upgrade.
The strongest would be a I7-4790K$380) with 8 threads and a 4.0 clock at stock(no OC will be possible)

OTOH, if you simply need 4 full cores, a I5-4460@3.2($203) will give you that without any increase in single thread performance.

 
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xilliance

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Jun 15, 2017
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Hey imsqam, thanks for replying, my psu is a GX II Pro 550 W, I have 8 GB RAM installed and a Corsair CCSPEC-03 Carbide SPEC-03 Black USB3.0 Mid Tower Case. My budget is ~$300. I was thinking of getting a i5 4590 link: https://www.pccasegear.com/category/187_1490/cpus/intel-socket-1150 but I am still unsure if it will be compatible. I live in australia aswell.






 
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D

dontlistentome

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Sep 5, 2016
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You'll need to upgrade your motherboard bios to F12. Gigabyte usually includes a fairly pain free way to do this. You can then use from i5 4430 on up to i7s.

If it were my choice, I'd look for something like an i5 4460. Not too slow, not too fast, not unlocked so it shouldn't cost as much. It'll use about 30W more than your current CPU, so it shouldn't be a problem.

You will need to reapply thermal paste, so you'll need some of that and something to clean the old paste off just in case there is some residue left over. Depending where you buy the CPU, it may or may not come with the stock heatsink/fan. If it doesn't, you'll need to buy one. It shouldn't cost much as long as you're not going to overclock it. You may also need to reactivate or reinstall Windows, back up important data first just in case.
 
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imsqam

imsqam

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Mar 25, 2011
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First, I think you are fine for the PSU, you should have plenty of headroom for upgrades.

I think the other posters hit the nail on the head, the i5-4460 is a good match for the GTX 960. The 4430 and 4440 are good choices too. As geofelt stated, even an i3-4170 or i3-4150 is a good match if it fits the games you play. Last suggestions are either a Xeon E3-1231 v3 or a Xeon E3-1240 v3, just make sure it is a v3 version. The 1240 actually has a faster single core speed than the 4460.
http://cpu.userbenchmark.com/Compare/Intel-Core-i5-4460-vs-Intel-Xeon-E3-1240-v3/2310vsm4602

All these CPU's are on the list of supported CPU's and run on BIOS F12 (released 02-May-14).
https://www.gigabyte.com/Motherboard/GA-B85M-D3H-rev-10-11#support-cpu

You might want to consider picking up at used one, since these are not overclocking CPU's they will be pretty safe bet that they it haven't been abused. You might be able to get an even faster CPU on the cheap, like these. That might let you upgrade your GPU at a later date.

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Intel-Core-i5-4690K-3500-MHz-Processor-CPU-/201956076306?hash=item2f05852b12:g:EVsAAOSwFqNZQpfX
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/INTEL-i5-4460-LGA-1150-3-2Ghz-QUAD-CORE-CPU-PROCESSOR-/302349193486?hash=item46656a910e:g:FDUAAOSw~e5ZQKMO
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Intel-Xeon-E3-1240v3-SR152-3-4GHz-8MB-Smart-Cache-Quad-Core-Processor-LGA-1150-/391810635502?hash=item5b39bbd6ee:g:at8AAOSwurZZNq~d
 
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Solution
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xilliance

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Jun 15, 2017
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Would this also be compatible? https://www.pccasegear.com/products/27549/intel-core-i5-4590




 
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Memphisto

Memphisto

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May 6, 2017
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I think it would be better to go with something new... New CPU new Motherboard and DDR4 Ram.....
Something like this:
https://pcpartpicker.com/list/XmmyQV
The 16Gb Ram is a bit overkill but well... :)

Still under 300$ tho!

The CPU is still only a 2 Core but it is around 30% faster as much as i know... and good enough for most games!

The other Parts you could use from your old build
Greetz Memphisto
 
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imsqam

imsqam

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Mar 25, 2011
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The 4590 is compatible with your mobo. If it is on this list it is compatible.
https://www.gigabyte.com/Motherboard/GA-B85M-D3H-rev-10-11#support-cpu

The 4590 is about equivalent to a 7th gen i5-7400, more than enough to run the 960. It will run a GTX 1060 or RX 580 no problem and only marginally bottleneck a GTX 1070.

But I would hesitate at spending 300 AUD on a 4th gen CPU, the Haswell platform is getting old. To me the better choice is to look at a used CPU or go to a new platform. Here is a i5-4440 that was just listed.
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/INTEL-i5-4440-LGA-1150-3-1Ghz-QUAD-CORE-CPU-PROCESSOR/302356261478

 
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