What CPU should I get?

[Constipated Crow]

Hi there,

 

Before I go on, this is my current build:

 

-XFX FX-777A-ZNF4 Radeon HD 7000 Series; AMD; Radeon HD 7770; 1000 MHz; CrossFire; 2048 x 1536 pixels; 2560 x 1600 pixels (FX-777A-ZNF4)

-Intel Core i3-3220 3300GHz 3MB Cache Socket LGA1155 Desktop CPU

-Corsair CMX8GX3M1A1333C9 XMS3 8GB (1x4GB) DDR3 1333 Mhz CL9 Performance Desktop Memory Module

-MSI LGA1155 u-ATX Motherboard (Intel H61, 2x DDR3, GBE, LAN)

-500 WATT ATX POWER SUPPLY QUIET 20-24 PIN with SATA

-LiteOn IHAS124-04 24x SATA Half Height Internal DVDRW Drive

-Seagate Barracuda 3.5 inch 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB 6GB/S Internal SATA Drive

-Fractal Design Core 1000 Series Micro ATX Case

 

Okay, so before anyone says it, yes I'm going to upgrade my PSU within a few days from now. I'm also going to upgrade my current GPU to a Gigabyte GTX 970 G1 Gaming at Christmas, however, I don't want my CPU to bottleneck it, so I want to upgrade my processor before Christmas to compensate. I don't want to spend too much (a maximum of £200 ideally), and I only want a CPU which would be enough not to bottleneck the GTX 970. I'm looking to get at least 60fps in most games at medium-high setting after I upgrade my GPU at Christmas. I play Battlefield 4, Battlefield Hardline, GTA 5, Cities Skylines, Empire Total War, and a lot of Minecraft (which is CPU and RAM intensive, and barely uses any GPU power), and Payday 2. 

 

My current motherboard is an Ivy Bridge supportive motherboard, and it doesn't allow CPU overclocking (so a 'K' version of a CPU would be pointless), and I don't want to upgrade my MOBO to a Haswell motherboard (and I don't want to wait for Skylake either), so I want to get the best CPU possible (for the price) for my current motherboard (Ivy Bridge, 3rd generation Intel processors). 

 

I was originally thinking about upgrading to the i5 3570 (because the i7 3770 was a lot more expensive and would not give any gaming improvements, and would only be useful for video editing, rendering and livestreaming - none of which I do much of), and I think that an i5 would be sufficient. If you think an i7 would be better, then please let me know (because I'm still kind of a noob). Thanks in advance to everyone who helps.

 

Cheers!

[hhamama66]

intel core i5 4690k: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Intel-4690K-Processor-LGA1150-Socket/dp/B00KPRWB9G/ref=sr_1_1?s=watch&ie=UTF8&qid=1436547248&sr=8-1&keywords=intel+core+i5
just a heads up, I have a 970 (specifically the EVGA one) and I'm maxing out graphics settings in many of the games I play

[Constipated Crow]

just a heads up, I have a 970 (specifically the EVGA one) and I'm maxing out graphics settings in many of the games I play

Hey there, the CPU you posted is a Haswell, Intel 4th generation, 1150 socket CPU which won't be compatible with my Ivy Bridge, Intel 3rd generation, 1155 socket motherboard. Thanks for the into on the GTX though!

Cheers!

[TylerLovekeeper]

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Intel-Generation-i5-3570K-3-40GHz-Technology/dp/B007SZ0E1K/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1436548424&sr=8-2&keywords=i7+3570k

 

 

but i would recommend  just getting a new cpu and mobo  

[Constipated Crow]

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Intel-Generation-i5-3570K-3-40GHz-Technology/dp/B007SZ0E1K/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1436548424&sr=8-2&keywords=i7+3570k

 

 

but i would recommend  just getting a new cpu and mobo  

Why is that? I'm only curious as to why you think that that would be a better option.

 

Cheers!

[Bangflop]

Please for the love of god wait till Skylake... you could get something that may or may not cost the same as another 1155 but have much better performance... just saying

[mata-pombos]

If you can live with medium-high settings at the latest AAA titles and ultra fps on most games currently a gtx 960 would do just fine.

For your 970 i think a great pair would be the i5 4460 (no bottleneck whatsoever)

[PC owner with questions]

Please for the love of god wait till Skylake... you could get something that may or may not cost the same as another 1155 but have much better performance... just saying

^^^^^

this

[TylerLovekeeper]

Why is that? I'm only curious as to why you think that that would be a better option.

 

Cheers!

 

im sorry i missed the part about not wanting to overclock, the 3570 should do you the trick

[Constipated Crow]

 

Please for the love of god wait till Skylake... you could get something that may or may not cost the same as another 1155 but have much better performance... just saying

 

^^^^^

this

Really? What does Skylake offer which Ivy Bridge/Haswell wouldn't? Also, when does it come out? What kind of motherboard would I need for Skylake?

 

Cheers!

[Nyandaful]

Skylake will just allow you to have the latest and allow a longer longevity of your platform. I personally would recommend waiting for a bit until then. If Skylake isn't a huge upgrade in performance, prices on Haswell based parts will see a decrease in price and you can upgrade to that for cheaper. Skylake will use the new LGA 1151 platform. 

 

Though, if you really want to keep the board, step up to the i7 3770. If you are picking up a used one off eBay, the i7 will be only a little more. I think it will last you just a bit longer than an i5 in the long run if you plan to keep it a couple years. 

[Statecat]

Hi there,

Before I go on, this is my current build:

-XFX FX-777A-ZNF4 Radeon HD 7000 Series; AMD; Radeon HD 7770; 1000 MHz; CrossFire; 2048 x 1536 pixels; 2560 x 1600 pixels (FX-777A-ZNF4)

-Intel Core i3-3220 3300GHz 3MB Cache Socket LGA1155 Desktop CPU

-Corsair CMX8GX3M1A1333C9 XMS3 8GB (1x4GB) DDR3 1333 Mhz CL9 Performance Desktop Memory Module

-MSI LGA1155 u-ATX Motherboard (Intel H61, 2x DDR3, GBE, LAN)

-500 WATT ATX POWER SUPPLY QUIET 20-24 PIN with SATA

-LiteOn IHAS124-04 24x SATA Half Height Internal DVDRW Drive

-Seagate Barracuda 3.5 inch 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB 6GB/S Internal SATA Drive

-Fractal Design Core 1000 Series Micro ATX Case

Okay, so before anyone says it, yes I'm going to upgrade my PSU within a few days from now. I'm also going to upgrade my current GPU to a Gigabyte GTX 970 G1 Gaming at Christmas, however, I don't want my CPU to bottleneck it, so I want to upgrade my processor before Christmas to compensate. I don't want to spend too much (a maximum of £200 ideally), and I only want a CPU which would be enough not to bottleneck the GTX 970. I'm looking to get at least 60fps in most games at medium-high setting after I upgrade my GPU at Christmas. I play Battlefield 4, Battlefield Hardline, GTA 5, Cities Skylines, Empire Total War, and a lot of Minecraft (which is CPU and RAM intensive, and barely uses any GPU power), and Payday 2.

My current motherboard is an Ivy Bridge supportive motherboard, and it doesn't allow CPU overclocking (so a 'K' version of a CPU would be pointless), and I don't want to upgrade my MOBO to a Haswell motherboard (and I don't want to wait for Skylake either), so I want to get the best CPU possible (for the price) for my current motherboard (Ivy Bridge, 3rd generation Intel processors).

I was originally thinking about upgrading to the i5 3570 (because the i7 3770 was a lot more expensive and would not give any gaming improvements, and would only be useful for video editing, rendering and livestreaming - none of which I do much of), and I think that an i5 would be sufficient. If you think an i7 would be better, then please let me know (because I'm still kind of a noob). Thanks in advance to everyone who helps.

Cheers!

I agree with flop. Wait for skylake. They have some sexy processors and motherboards coming. I honestly wish I would of waited when I built my first system but I do have a very happy 4790K in my system so I won't complain. x)

[hhamama66]

Hey there, the CPU you posted is a Haswell, Intel 4th generation, 1150 socket CPU which won't be compatible with my Ivy Bridge, Intel 3rd generation, 1155 socket motherboard. Thanks for the into on the GTX though!

Cheers!

Since you can't get the 4690k on this socket, I would recommend this one instead http://m.newegg.com/Product/index?itemnumber=19-115-234

If that doesn't fit your budget, get any quad core AMD. What ever you do, don't get the i3 many games out there simply refuse to run on a dual core processor