Need help deciding on an upgrade!

Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar
Status
Not open for further replies.
B

Bzoucha

Honorable
Oct 4, 2012
22
0
10,510
Hey guys, I am having a hard time deciding on an upgrade solution for my pc. Right now I have a core2duo E7400. I am only upgrading my CPU, motherboard and ram. My price limit is $299 for all three of those components. I do have discrete graphics already (gtx460). I have been mostly looking at the new amd apu's although I don't really need the graphics I hear they preform well. Another option would be either fx 6100 or 8120. I am looking for a pretty good gaming build but everyday performance is most important.

Thanks!
 
Solution
N
This utility website might help: http://pcpartpicker.com/ But shop for around for deals..


The top notch would obviously be an i5 3470 but i'm not sure if i'm willing to spend that much since i don't do THAT much gaming. i just want something good thats easy on the wallet unless going intel is REALLY worth it in every day tasks
Click to expand...

What is your "everyday task"?

A10 is reviewed to be a good-enough processor, and the graphics can be shut off. Your processor is already better than the one I have btw.
Sort by date Sort by votes
jay_nar2012

jay_nar2012

Distinguished
Jun 15, 2012
3,224
0
21,160
Upvote 0 Downvote
Sakkura

Sakkura

Illustrious
Aug 22, 2011
8,129
3
37,965

There's a small problem with that combination, you'd have to use another CPU to flash the motherboard with a new BIOS to support the core i5-3450.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
B

Bzoucha

Honorable
Oct 4, 2012
22
0
10,510
What's the best solution for $250? I'd rather not get up around $330 if I don't have to. I don't need the best of the best just a solid upgrade over my core 2 duo
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
jay_nar2012

jay_nar2012

Distinguished
Jun 15, 2012
3,224
0
21,160
Upvote 0 Downvote
B

Bzoucha

Honorable
Oct 4, 2012
22
0
10,510
looks pretty solid, do you think the $50 mobo would do? and what do you think about fm2 vs am3+? since i already have graphics im just looking for processing power

feel free to state your opinions!
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
jay_nar2012

jay_nar2012

Distinguished
Jun 15, 2012
3,224
0
21,160
Piledriver and i think 'Vishera' or whatever and steamroller its called will be on AM3+, Trinity will be on FM2 and i am not sure about either Socket's future.

The AM3+ boards have a better upgrade path for now.

If you can wait for piledriver (not long away), then wait and in the mean time get a AM3+ board and RAM.

http://www.amazon.com/GIGABYTE-GA-970A-D3-AM3-SATA-Motherboard/dp/B0056G10WK/ref=sr_1_9?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1349368533&sr=1-9&keywords=am3%2B+cpu
http://www.amazon.com/Corsair-Vengeance-240-Pin-Platforms-CMZ8GX3M2A1600C9/dp/B004CRSM4I/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1349365933&sr=1-1&keywords=ddr3+ram
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Onus

Onus

Titan
Jan 27, 2006
37,037
12
89,965
Overclocking an existing S775 CPU is one thing, but buying another S775 CPU is money wasted.
Since processing power is your focus, you want Intel. Until Piledriver is out and benchmarked, I wouldn't count it for squat. Of course, I'm one of those who bought in to the BD hype, and I still feel burned about buying a premium AM3+ board. With AMD saying they're not going to compete with Intel, they're no longer worth my time in the high-end market. If PD is great, maybe I'll upgrade to it; if not I'll be happy with my i5.
I would not buy a MSI board, especially for AMD, as they have a history of VRM problems: http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/315963-30-phase-control-mosfets-motherboard-safety (read the linked material).
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
B

Bzoucha

Honorable
Oct 4, 2012
22
0
10,510
yes intel is definiately the best in processing power but not as good in cost effectivness. I only have about a $250 budget and upgrading to a processor with the same number of cores as the one i already have seems dumb. The top notch would obviously be an i5 3470 but i'm not sure if i'm willing to spend that much since i don't do THAT much gaming. i just want something good thats easy on the wallet unless going intel is REALLY worth it in every day tasks
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
N

NoUserBar

Distinguished
Nov 1, 2011
305
0
18,810
This utility website might help: http://pcpartpicker.com/ But shop for around for deals..


The top notch would obviously be an i5 3470 but i'm not sure if i'm willing to spend that much since i don't do THAT much gaming. i just want something good thats easy on the wallet unless going intel is REALLY worth it in every day tasks
Click to expand...

What is your "everyday task"?

A10 is reviewed to be a good-enough processor, and the graphics can be shut off. Your processor is already better than the one I have btw.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Solution
B

Bzoucha

Honorable
Oct 4, 2012
22
0
10,510
thanks ill check that out, and my everyday task include playing music, transfering large files, watching videos, compiling programs in visual basic 10, browsing the internet, multitasking like a champ, opening complex programs etc.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
N

NoUserBar

Distinguished
Nov 1, 2011
305
0
18,810
The only ones I can think of are some I looked at last year are out of stock lol

Here is one: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=13-131-724&SortField=1&SummaryType=0&Pagesize=10&PurchaseMark=&SelectedRating=-1&VideoOnlyMark=False&VendorMark=&IsFeedbackTab=true&Keywords=%28keywords%29&Page=1#scrollFullInfo

I like look at most helpfull lowest rated and date posted to get a good view of the feedback..

Cheapish, and you should be able to find some 1333 speed ram on newegg too. (if worried about compatibility you could go to crucial home website)


bah nevermind just look at the choices lol: http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100006519%2050001315%2040000280%204026&IsNodeId=1&name=%2450%20-%20%2475
There are some 1600 mhz ram ones there, but they don't have much feedback. You can always try to google for a review of a particular board using the model number.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Onus

Onus

Titan
Jan 27, 2006
37,037
12
89,965
With an Ivy Bridge CPU, get a H77 or B75; a H61 will either not work at all, or will require a BIOS flash (using a Sandy Bridge CPU) first.
Asus IS a good brand though; my first choice. ASRock is a distant second, then Gigabyte, with Biostar and ECS fighting for last. Anything else doesn't interest me.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
N

NoUserBar

Distinguished
Nov 1, 2011
305
0
18,810
Seems good.. That board has integrated graphics you'll have to not use lol

Ram looks great.
Otherwise the ram might be too high for some aftermarket heat-sinks, but that is probably a non-issue.

There are cheaper asrock boards there though. (if you care by now) Make sure not to install any of the programs you don't want to when putting in the drivers.. ha
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Onus

Onus

Titan
Jan 27, 2006
37,037
12
89,965
That board looks reasonable. As NoUserBar says, you may want to find some low-profile RAM if the Ripjaws are too tall, but you'd need a pretty big heatsink (only needed if you plan substantial overclocking) for that to be a possible issue.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Sakkura

Sakkura

Illustrious
Aug 22, 2011
8,129
3
37,965

Neither can overclock the CPU. The H77 adds a few little things, while the B75 comes with some business-oriented features. You would most likely never notice the difference.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Status
Not open for further replies.

TRENDING THREADS

Latest posts

Moderators online

Share this page

COMPANY
RESOURCES
FOLLOW
Top Bottom