What CPU should I get?

[techguru]

http://ca.msi.com/support/mb/H61MP31W8.html#down-bios

bios updates for your board

[runit3]

Hi there, thanks for the reply, it helped a lot for me to understand.

 

I only have a couple of questions. Firstly, what can you tell me about this CPU? 

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Intel-I5-3470-Processor-3-20GHZ-Socket/dp/B0087EVHVW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1432647490&sr=8-1&keywords=Intel+Core+i5-3470+Quad-Core+Processor+3.2+GHz+4+Core+LGA+1155+-+BX80637I53470

Since it's a 1155 socket processor, it will work with my motherboard right? And will it work with all my other components as well? Also, does it have HT? Because it doesn't say anything about hyperthreading on the product details.

 

Secondly, is this generally a good CPU for the money, or should I look at other ones? I'm not too sure if this would be the best bang for my buck, and I don't know if I want to go with this one or a better i7 one. I could maybe spend another £50-75 more to buy a better CPU, but does this one seem plenty good? If this one seems good enough, then there would be no need to buy a different CPU.

 

Cheers!

There is no hyperthreading on any i5 processor of the 1155 socket, they are all quad cores, no HT. The i7 line are quad cores with hyperthreading. Really the only thing that differentiates i5's from i7's aside from negligible differences in base clock speed.

 

If you want my opinion, I'd pick up a 3470 for £100 or a 3770 for ~£180 on Ebay. Buying a new locked processor from last gen makes very little sense. Used locked processors are very unlikely to have any abuse thrown at them, as you cannot overclock them. They should run just fine for years, despite being used, and you're picking up an i7 for what you would pay for a new i5.

 

Really, I would address the RAM first before looking into a new CPU. Minecraft should run on a potato. I would open your Windows resource monitor and look at the RAM usage for Minecraft when it is giving you problems. If you're slamming into the 4GB physical ceiling, that is where your problem is, not the CPU.

[Kherm]

I guess I should have been more clear, the FX8350 would be better for the budget. And no, its not outdated.

It's from 2012, it's 32nm, and its single-core power is very low. It's outdated except for extreme budget editors who need as many threads as possible. And even then, the Xeon e3 1231-v3 is a much better but

[Constipated Crow]

There is no hyperthreading on any i5 processor of the 1155 socket, they are all quad cores, no HT. The i7 line are quad cores with hyperthreading. Really the only thing that differentiates i5's from i7's aside from negligible differences in base clock speed.

 

If you want my opinion, I'd pick up a 3470 for £100 or a 3770 for ~£180 on Ebay. Buying a new locked processor from last gen makes very little sense. Used locked processors are very unlikely to have any abuse thrown at them, as you cannot overclock them. They should run just fine for years, despite being used, and you're picking up an i7 for what you would pay for a new i5.

 

Really, I would address the RAM first before looking into a new CPU. Minecraft should run on a potato. I would open your Windows resource monitor and look at the RAM usage for Minecraft when it is giving you problems. If you're slamming into the 4GB physical ceiling, that is where your problem is, not the CPU.

Okay, I will definitely upgrade my RAM to 8gb before proceeding to the CPU then. Do you think 8GB would be plenty, or should I go with 12 (even though it's kind of an odd number to have)? 

 

Is the 3770 a lot better than the 3470? I also hears that the 3470 can be overclocked, while the 3770 can't. I won't really be overclocking anyway, but will this have an effect over the general performance? 

 

Also, what does 'locked' mean in a processor? I don't really understand the 'K' either (like the 3770 and 3770K).

 

Thank you for your patience with me

 

Cheers!

[Constipated Crow]

http://ca.msi.com/support/mb/H61MP31W8.html#down-bios

bios updates for your board

Okay, thank you!

[ThomasD]

I heard somewhere that if you change motherboards, your entire PC's data gets erased if you don't have a compatible one or something like that. It might be one of those PC myths though. Although, I don't really understand how motherboards work, could you explain why I would need to change motherboards if I want to get a current gen, high end CPU? Note that I am a complete newbie when it comes to motherboards, I simply followed a build on of my friends did.

 

Cheers!

You will not lose any data.

 

Operating systems can be a problem when changing motherboards though - it will still be there, it just might not work.  At the very least you will need to re-install the operating system (and back up your data prior to doing so.)

 

If your operating system was OEM, it could be restricted to the old motherboard.

 

Personally I'd go looking for a 3470 or 3570 or maybe even a 3770, used at a decent price.

 

That, and more RAM.

[Constipated Crow]

You will not lose any data.

 

Operating systems can be a problem when changing motherboards though - it will still be there, it just might not work.  At the very least you will need to re-install the operating system (and back up your data prior to doing so.)

 

If your operating system was OEM, it could be restricted to the old motherboard.

 

Personally I'd go looking for a 3470 or 3570 or maybe even a 3770, used at a decent price.

 

That, and more RAM.

Yeah, I'm definitely adding more RAM, however, I think I'm going to try and find the best CPU I can for my current motherboard, since I don't really want to go through the whole hassle. Do you have any suggestions of any good Ivy Bridge CPUs for 1155 sockets for around £200? Thanks in advance.

[ThomasD]

Yeah, I'm definitely adding more RAM, however, I think I'm going to try and find the best CPU I can for my current motherboard, since I don't really want to go through the whole hassle. Do you have any suggestions of any good Ivy Bridge CPUs for 1155 sockets for around £200? Thanks in advance.

http://uk.pcpartpicker.com/part/intel-cpu-bx80637i53570k

[Constipated Crow]

http://uk.pcpartpicker.com/part/intel-cpu-bx80637i53570k

Thanks, I'll look into that!

[Nena Trinity]

FX-8370 or a i5-4690K!