Looking for advice on core components(CPU+Mobo) upgrade. $300 Budget

Ekmod · July 19, 2014

I'm looking to upgrade my CPU + Mobo, and then maybe my GPU because it will be the new bottleneck(and then also my PSU to accommodate all the changes). ANYWAY, here's what I have currently:

AMD Phenom II X4 945 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103809
MSI 870A-G54 AM3 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130275
FirePower Fatal1ty 550W 80Plus Semi-Modular http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341022
MSI R7850 Twin Frozr http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127663

The CPU, Mobo, PSU are coming up on around 4 years old and it's time to upgrade now that I have some expendable cash. I'm looking to upgrade the CPU + Mobo first and will then deal with the others later, but suggestions are welcome.

I've been out of the loop a little so that's why I'm here.

Budget: I want to keep the CPU + Mobo under $300, the closer I can get to $200 the better. Currently I'm looking to buy an unlocked i5 and a quality overclocking capable Mobo used.

So my questions are:

1. Is 3570k the right choice? Or should I look at the newer unlocked i5 or possible go back another generation to the 2500k? (It's gone 2500k, 3570k, 4670k right?) Or should I go with something like the 3820(might be out of budget)?

2. Depending on which CPU I get, what corresponding Mobo should I get? To me, motherboard are one of the most confusing things...

Computer is used for gaming and web browsing, and will be my desktop for college this fall. I'd like to be able to throw most anything at this machine and have it do decently well, that's why I'm thinking unlocked i5.

Levent · July 19, 2014

2500K or 3570K get whatever is cheaper you wont regret it ,as a motherboard you either need to get Z68 or Z77 board and you will be good ,your graphics card is good as it is i have one in my rig

Ekmod · July 19, 2014

Is there much of a reason to go with the 3570k as opposed to the 2500k? I know the 3570k has support for PCIE 3.0 and better power consumption. Also, on the motherboard, are there any specifics I should look at? I want to have overclocking as an option. These questions are open to anyone.

Levent · July 19, 2014

Is there much of a reason to go with the 3570k as opposed to the 2500k? I know the 3570k has support for PCIE 3.0 and better power consumption. Also, on the motherboard, are there any specifics I should look at? I want to have overclocking as an option. These questions are open to anyone.

you arent missing that much with pciex2 and 2500k overclock generally around 200mhz better on air cooling compared to 3570k and 5ghz is not hard on 2500K like it is on 3570K

if you are getting 3570K with a Z68 board make sure board supports 3570K (bios update is usually required) make sure board is Z series and read comments on the board on sites like newegg