CPU for non-gaming

[tiresomediggers]

Hi guys 

I am looking for advice regarding CPU upgrade and (maybe) motherboard.

 

I currently have an AMD Athlon II X4 640 CPU and a GA-MA770T-UD3 motherboard installed (really old hardware).

I recent upgraded my PC with new SSD hard disk as well as new RAM, though occasionally I encounter some lack in CPU power – I want the workflow to be as smooth as possible.

I use the PC for work; I do not run one program that requires a lot of power but instead many "smaller" processes. Multiple Chrome browsers each with one or two handfuls of tabs open, some music, multiple Skype clients, text editing etc. (a lot of multitasking). So no heavy video editing or rendering.

 

I have seen a lot mention Intel 4460 and 4690k, are these also the go to CPUs for non-gaming?

In addition, what about motherboard to fit the CPU? (ATX/Micro ATX to fit my case)

 

Any help will be greatly appreciated.

[OAcesync]

Hi guys 

I am looking for advice regarding CPU upgrade and (maybe) motherboard.

 

I currently have an AMD Athlon II X4 640 CPU and a GA-MA770T-UD3 motherboard installed (really old hardware).

I recent upgraded my PC with new SSD hard disk as well as new RAM, though occasionally I encounter some lack in CPU power – I want the workflow to be as smooth as possible.

I use the PC for work; I do not run one program that requires a lot of power but instead many "smaller" processes. Multiple Chrome browsers each with one or two handfuls of tabs open, some music, multiple Skype clients, text editing etc. (a lot of multitasking). So no heavy video editing or rendering.

 

I have seen a lot mention Intel 4460 and 4690k, are these also the go to CPUs for non-gaming?

In addition, what about motherboard to fit the CPU? (ATX/Micro ATX to fit my case)

 

Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Honestly I would get a 8300 

[don_svetlio]

for non-gaming your Athlon II X4 is fine

[manikyath]

well, i'm gonna suggest you swap motherboard because SATA 3.

 

i'm gonna suggest something along the line of i5 4460, with a semi-decent, maybe workstation grade motherboard.

maybe an i3 if budget is a tad lower.

--

i'd also not go for any form of overclocking for workstation use, because of stability and lifetime issues.

[tiresomediggers]

for non-gaming your Athlon II X4 is fine

I don't feel like it's enough anymore.

I want the experience to be 100% hassle free and no hiccups.

 

A bit overkill is fine, but I do not wanna go mad crazy.

[don_svetlio]

I don't feel like it's enough anymore.

I want the experience to be 100% hassle free and no hiccups.

 

A bit overkill is fine, but I do not wanna go mad crazy.

i3 is more than enough then.

[Fate]

I don't feel like it's enough anymore.

I want the experience to be 100% hassle free and no hiccups.

 

A bit overkill is fine, but I do not wanna go mad crazy.

The i5-4460 is a great processor that will last a long time for your needs. An i3 isn't a bad option either. I'd recommend you look at some H97 motherboards http://pcpartpicker.com/parts/motherboard/#c=100&sort=a8&page=1

[manikyath]

http://pcpartpicker.com/part/asrock-motherboard-h97performance

i'm gonna toss this idea.

with either this i5: http://pcpartpicker.com/part/intel-cpu-bx80646i54460

or this i3: http://pcpartpicker.com/part/intel-cpu-bx80646i34160

 

also would make sure to have at least 8GB ram availabe.

if you only have 4GB (or less) pick up a kit of these: http://pcpartpicker.com/part/gskill-memory-f312800cl9d8gbxl

[tiresomediggers]

well, i'm gonna suggest you swap motherboard because SATA 3.

Great point with SATA 3. I bought a Samsung 850 EVO, so I should really get a new motherboard.

 

http://pcpartpicker.com/part/asrock-motherboard-h97performance

i'm gonna toss this idea.

with either this i5: http://pcpartpicker.com/part/intel-cpu-bx80646i54460

or this i3: http://pcpartpicker.com/part/intel-cpu-bx80646i34160

 

also would make sure to have at least 8GB ram availabe.

if you only have 4GB (or less) pick up a kit of these: http://pcpartpicker.com/part/gskill-memory-f312800cl9d8gbxl

I plenty of RAM, just bought some Kingston 16GB DDR3 1866 MHz.

 

I feel like going for a dual core i3 is a downgrade - though benchmarks says otherwise.

Isn't buying a i5-4460 more "future proof" than the cheaper i3?

[manikyath]

Great point with SATA 3. I bought a Samsung 850 EVO, so I should really get a new motherboard.

 

I plenty of RAM, just bought some Kingston 16GB DDR3 1866 MHz.

 

I feel like going for a dual core i3 is a downgrade - though benchmarks says otherwise.

Isn't buying a i5-4460 more "future proof" than the cheaper i3?

well, the i5 will be approx. 40% faster, if you end up using all of it.

look at it like this: you're spending 40% more money for a 40% faster part.

do you need that extra speed, or would you rather save that money for something else?

 

as for why it seems like a downgrade but really isnt: the name of the game is IPC "instructions per cycle"

both parts have a number of cores, and a speed in gigahertz, but no where do you find the IPC, which basicly decides how efficient those cores use their clock speed.

it just so happens that the 4th gen intel parts just have a mindblowingly higher IPC compared to current AMD parts. (we'll see what ZEN does with that)

[Nena Trinity]

I vote for Athlon X4 860K or if you need a iGPU then a A8 or A10!

[tiresomediggers]

Thanks a lot for the help everyone :-)

 

I ended up buying an Intel i5-4460, ASRock H97 Performance and a new cooler (CM Hyper 212 EVO).

Hopefully it'll get the job done.

[Nena Trinity]

Thanks a lot for the help everyone :-)

 

I ended up buying an Intel i5-4460, ASRock H97 Performance and a new cooler (CM Hyper 212 EVO).

Hopefully it'll get the job done.

Erm why 212 Evo for locked CPU?

[tiresomediggers]

Erm why 212 Evo for locked CPU?

Extra cooling never hurts  :blush:

 

I got the parts today - I am surprised how much a motherboard with SATA 3 did with a SSD hard disk, the results are amazing.

Once again, thanks for the help everyone.