Change Cpu or Overclock?

[Artic]

Hello Everyone,

As I already posted on another thread, I´m building a new (and my first) Pc, due to my desktop, a "prebuilt?" HP M8150 got some problems, probably with the GPU.


http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=c01127384&tmp_task=prodinfoCategory&cc=us&dlc=en&lc=en&product=3459837



Until today I considered only to change CPU, Motherboard, GPU.

But in my budget I can only get either a i3 2120/2130, or a Phenom II X4 965, and another user told me I am better off with the i3.

My main use for the desktop is autocad, but I will also play Mass Effect, Dead Island, etc... if possible on high settings.

Can you tell me if it is advisable to instead buy a new LGA775 motherboard, and overclock the Q6600, or I´m better off with a new processor? ...and save a few euros!!.... My new Gpu will be a EVGA GTX 560 Ti


Or is it better just to get the new i3....?


Thanks In Advance!

 

[samuelspark]

No point in buying a new 775 motherboard.

I would wait about 3-4 months until the Ivy Bridge i3's come out in the very least. I think they will offer better stock performance since you can't overclock them. Your CPU will be fine for Mass Effect, Dead Island, etc. I don't see any CPU intensive games on there.

Also, downgrading from a quad core to a dual core is undesirable even if the performance/core is much higher. I would try to save up for an i5 if possible especially if you're going to use Autocad..

 

[Artic]

Ok, Thanks for the advice, will do so and wait for the Ivy bridge I3´s.


Checked the I5 Ivy bridge´s prices and the cheapest I5 (i5-3450)(€175) is a bit more as the best I3 (i3-3240)(€132), so I´ll probably go for one of the I3, maybe the 3240.

Started using I7 laptop for Cad rendering, so I will only use desktop now as casual Cad, and gaming pc, so the I3 will do the job well, and save some euros.


Thanks again for the reply.

 

[samuelspark]

Please pick a best answer. It helps me out a lot.

 

[Artic]

I´m a bit new around here ... looked around where do I pick the best answer?

Is it the green thumbs up? if so alredy did it.7

Update: Already found it.

 

[Artic]

Best answer selected by artic.