Best CPU to pair with a HD5870

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Skumbo

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So, I just got BF3 and sadly.. my old core 2 duo is bottlenecking me now, I believe. (running 100% cpu on both cores in bf3 and even sometimes in Rift even when reducing the resolution to 800x600), i normally run at 1920x1080

I recently had a gpu fry on me, but luckily it was an XFX, and they replaced it with a (hearty) upgrade in an HD5870.

I'm running it with a E6550 overclocked to 2.97 ghz with a tuniq 120 air cooler, it never gets close to hot, but was never stable above 3 ghz for some reason. I'm not an expert (my brother helped me build this rig, as it was my first, about 4 years ago), but have since built a few setups for friends.

i have ~$300 for a new mother board/CPU.


Basically, im wondering what would be best to avoid bottlenecking the 5870?

Would I be fine with a FX 4100 (i know how "crappy" bulldozer turned out to be) overclocked to 4.8 or so (i see a ton of people getting this easily, apparently)? I ask this because i can grab a 4100 for $100 shipped from amazon right now, and that would open up my options for a nice mother board.


If not, the i5 2500k is obviously a proven processor, but what mother board could i use to keep it around $300?


thanks! Ive always read reviews/etc here but havent upgraded or had questions enough to have to make an account until now :kaola:
 
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Skumbo

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No kidding! A big reason i though i was being bottlenecked is i saw the benchmark results from this site on BF3, the 5870 was averaging 59.12 fps on high on 1920x1080 (which is what i tried first, and got a dismal ~20-30 max on any decent sized level)

Nothing else would hamper my performance that badly, I wouldnt think. I recently upgraded ram as well (as i blew a 4 year old stick randomly when changing PSU's)
 
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pro-gamer

pro-gamer

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Skumbo

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Hmm..

What about the 4100 (since i can get it for literally half the price of a 2500K) overclocked? Or would a good enough mobo to OC it significantly negate the price difference? I wouldnt think it would bottleneck my 5870 even stock, would it? Thats all im trying to avoid, as i just got it, and wont be going for another gpu for a few years, realistically.


As for the 2500k and upping the budget, it's possible, but might take a bit (poor college student all)

why would I need new ram on a new mother board?

edit: thanks for the really fast replies :O
 
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Skumbo

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Ah. yeah. crap... true. So, with that in mind.. would the 4100 suffice? assuming $100 for the processor, ~$150 for a good motherboard and $40 for new ram, that a bit under my $300.
 
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Skumbo

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Well, BF3, according to the tomshardware article, if you have a decently modern CPU, there really isnt a difference.. is there a better option at the price range, amd or intel? Like i said, I probably wont be upgrading until i consider a complete system rehaul in a few years, so what would work to "un-bottleneck" my 5870 for now?

..or should i just wait a while and get a 2500k?

I think the big thing for me is that i have the gpu for BF3, but its running like crap cause of my cpu :(
 
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simon12

simon12

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I don't think BF3 is held back much by the CPU as "Battlefield 3's single-player campaign doesn’t care if you’re using a £100 Core i3 or £300 Core i7. It doesn’t care if you come armed with two Hyper-Threaded cores or four Bulldozer modules. It just. Doesn’t. Care.

In fact, after getting a little overzealous swapping out Lynnfield-, Clarkdale-, and Sandy Bridge-based chips, I tried one AMD CPU and decided to call it a day. Any reasonably-modern processor is going to be held back by graphics long before hamstringing performance itself."
I suggest you consider the i3 2100, the FX4100 is unlikely to be better than a 955BE for gaming.
 
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Skumbo

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Thanks again for all the replies guys. I think it might be smarter to just go with the proven 2500K.

I'll save up a bit and go for that, as I'd rather upgrade and spend ~$100 more now and have it last a few years rather than go for the AMD or i3 and have to upgrade again in a year from now.

so lets say im at the i5. I only plan on ever running one GPU slot, is this my best value option, seems like everyone uses it to pair with the 2500k?

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00518M74I/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER
 
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Skumbo

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I have ~$200 left on an amazon gift card (i traded in the last 3.5 years worth of textbooks and got a huge amazon gift card lol) which will cover that board +ram. I hate to sound noob again but since im here.. should i go for any specific ram, or will "basic" 1333 or 1600 work, without it being a fast timing "gaming" specific ram.. I've always just used basic corsair line
 
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Skumbo

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If only someone would buy my extra bass, I'd have $800 to throw into this XD

anyway..

edit: that gskill looks perfect, it's even "optimized for the sandy bridge platform" and lower power consumption is always nice.

thanks!

I guess ill be getting these asap, lol

edit: whats the difference between the X and these: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231277

looks the same except it says its "optimized for intel" essentially
 
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haimengt

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300 budget, I recommend a I5 system. You need change mobo+ cpu+memory. 8g memory around 40-50, a decent mobo will around $110(z68). today the I5 2500 is $195 after 15$ coupon. so your total is around 340. 20 more dollar will bring you to I5 2500K.
AMD is still good and price/performance is ok, but not for gaming.
 
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Skumbo

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wow durp. I think my computer heard i was talking about this, it just started having issues (i have been running a big OC for about 4 years straight) and it only wants to post about half the time suddenly.. hmm..
 
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toneekay

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If you're going the 2500K route, I would look at this board:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813138319

Pretty basic, but enough to run that 2500K; pair it up with that G.Skill Ripjaws X series, and you're good to go!!!



I know that'll run you passed your budget to around $350-360, but if you can find them... there are Intel's Core i5-2400 that would be plenty enough to run BF3 that can be had for around $150 or so (which would bring you within budget).
 
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HEXiT

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currently you have a socket 775? then a q9550 would be a great choice. as would a q8400 anything less would be a waste of money. i know most would say jump platform, but you on a tight budget. so why not just upgrade the cpu for about $150
both chips wil have enough grunt to handle the 5870. but you will have to oc the q8400.
 
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