Idiot needs help with cpu selection

[NixPC]

Hi, I am pretty embarrassingly unfamiliar with computers. I recently purchased a build with the components listed below. I currently have a bit of extra money and am under the impression that the only component I am lacking in is the cpu. Feel free to correct me. I am posting this, however, because I would appreciate help selecting a good cpu to upgrade to. I am an going into engineering(yes, and I am this clueless) and will be using my computer for coding and modeling on top of internet browsing and gaming. I prefer cheap but can probably go up to about $200. Thank you for your time.

 

Motherboard: ASUS Rampage ii GENE

 

RAM: 24GB DDR3

 

Power Supply: Corsair 750w

 

CPU: Intel(R) Core(TM) i7 CPU 970 @ 3.20GHz

 

GPU: Radeon RX 580 Series 8 GB

[Slottr]

Not going to find anything worthwhile with that budget. Stick to what you have and upgrade when you can afford a better selection

[CognizantPotato]

A new cpu would be good, but to get anything newer/better you would have to get a new motherboard and new RAM as well. I don't really see any way to upgrade from where you are with that amount of money.

[LIGISTX]

9 minutes ago, CognizantPotato said:

A new cpu would be good, but to get anything newer/better you would have to get a new motherboard and new RAM as well. I don't really see any way to upgrade from where you are with that amount of money.

This is absolutely correct.

 

If you can find a used PC with something like a 4770k for maybe ~300 bucks, and pull that mobo, CPU and RAM, then sell your old stuff, basically mix and match the best from both to recoup some of the money that could work. But to buy new, nothing would be close to that price bracket. Your best bet is to find something newer gen that is used. Even a 3770k for the right price would be a good bump up in performance for sure. 

[NixPC]

Ah. Damn. Well, ok. So, to be clear, price of CPU isn't the question because I currently have the best CPU I can have within the restrictions present because of my motherboard and type of RAM, right? So, I would, in actuality, have to start with buying/finding a better motherboard, then better RAM, and then finally a better CPU? I super apologize if my questions are dumb or redundant. I am learning.

 

Follow up question, would upping my price bracket help? If so, about what prices are we talking? 4 digits is definitely not likely to happen, but I can definitely work to upping my bracket passed $200 decently soon.

 

Also, thank you for your answers.

[Guest]

21 minutes ago, NixPC said:

Ah. Damn. Well, ok. So, to be clear, price of CPU isn't the question because I currently have the best CPU I can have within the restrictions present because of my motherboard and type of RAM, right? So, I would, in actuality, have to start with buying/finding a better motherboard, then better RAM, and then finally a better CPU? I super apologize if my questions are dumb or redundant. I am learning.

 

Follow up question, would upping my price bracket help? If so, about what prices are we talking? 4 digits is definitely not likely to happen, but I can definitely work to upping my bracket passed $200 decently soon.

 

Also, thank you for your answers.

That ASUS Rampage ii GENE Supports up to a 990X processor which is 6 cores and 12 threads. Next below that is a 980X.

 

These are the top two processors for that setup.