Upgrading my CPU - Advice needed!

UnleashTheBeast

Hi all,

My Current system:

Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo CPU E6850 @ 3.00GHz (2 CPUs), ~3.0GHz
4 gigs CORSAIR Ram
XFX Radeon HD5870 1GB
700 watt PSU
WINDOWS 7 32bit


I'm looking for a CPU that will compliment my system nicely, I don't have a ton to spend, but maybe a few of you might know a few decent processors.

The computer is basically only used for gaming, I'd be able to spend circa €250....ish, maybe €300... at a stretch. I know that isn't a lot but It will probably be an improvement on my current CPU.

At the moment, I'm not really running games as they should be, a few people have told me my CPU is bottle-necking my 5870.

I'd be more inclined to go for an INTEL, any suggestions/link to processors would be very much appreciated.

I only purchased my computer 2 years ago (off PCSpecialists), so I assume the socket is fairly recent, some of you may know the socket just from looking at my current processor.

As I said, absolutely all suggestions/advice is very much appreciated,

Thanks in advance! :pac:

massy086

well you have loads of choice,s with 250-300 you could sell your current board and ram and go i3 or i5 with new board and ram or you could just buy an aftermarket cpu cooler and overclock your current cpu or you could buy a q6660 and aftermarket cooler and over clock the quadcore to 3.6 can you tell us the make of your psu its quiet important to know if overclocking is possible

Solitaire

i3-530 + H55 mobo + 2x2GB DDR3 = €300. Add shipping and cooler and you'll be lucky to stay under €350

UnleashTheBeast

massy086 wrote: »

well you have loads of choice,s with 250-300 you could sell your current board and ram and go i3 or i5 with new board and ram or you could just buy an aftermarket cpu cooler and overclock your current cpu or you could buy a q6660 and aftermarket cooler and over clock the quadcore to 3.6 can you tell us the make of your psu its quiet important to know if overclocking is possible

Sell my board/memory? Is that necessary? Is my board out of date or not compatible with the latest chipsets?! feck! All I'm looking to do is upgrade the CPU, not the board or memory, I already have a cooler for my CPU.

Also, I'm not an overclocker. I just never bothered doing it. I'll tell you the PSU straight away when I get home from work.

Solitaire wrote: »

i3-530 + H55 mobo + 2x2GB DDR3 = €300. Add shipping and cooler and you'll be lucky to stay under €350

Is all that needed though? All I'm trying to do is upgrade my CPU.

Thanks for the replies, lads.

Deano12345

Pick up a Q9550, they cost around €190, they definitely have a bit of life in them yet...and no need to change your motherboard

after_shock3000

If you just want to upgrade the CPU, you'll have to stick with socket 775.
Core2duo or core2quad are your only options. I agree with the overclocked q6600, that's what I have myself at 3.6ghz with a prolimatech megahalems cooler. You'll almost definitely get 3.4ghz with a g0 q6600, probably 3.6. If you don't want to go down the overclocking route then you could just buy a higher end quad, but it'll be more costly that way.

UnleashTheBeast

Deano12345 wrote: »

Pick up a Q9550, they cost around €190, they definitely have a bit of life in them yet...and no need to change your motherboard

I was looking at that particular CPU... does it definitely suit my MOBO?

I ordered my GFX card off misco.ie, would this be the model you're talking about? http://www.misco.ie/productinformation/~138529~WW~/Intel%20Core2%20Quad%20Q9550%20Socket%20LGA775%20processor.htm

Specifications look good, would it considerably improve my performance?

after_shock3000 wrote: »

If you just want to upgrade the CPU, you'll have to stick with socket 775.
Core2duo or core2quad are your only options. I agree with the overclocked q6600, that's what I have myself at 3.6ghz with a prolimatech megahalems cooler. You'll almost definitely get 3.4ghz with a g0 q6600, probably 3.6. If you don't want to go down the overclocking route then you could just buy a higher end quad, but it'll be more costly that way.

I never tried overclocking and I don't really think I will. Thanks for the replies though. I assumed that I'd have to buy a higher end quad. How does the one I linked above compare to the high end processors nowadays?

UnleashTheBeast

This would be pushing it a little... but how good would this chip be?

http://www.misco.ie/productinformation/~153930~WW~/Intel%20Core%202%20Quad%20Q9650%20Socket%20LGA775%20Processor.htm

massy086

what i was saying about going i5 or i3 is it is the latest tech there for it will mean you wont need another upgrade for a long while here,s what i think its not much more then what you are already thinking about spending and it should be much better

massy086

also what is the speed of your ram and what motherboard do you have the socket you have is lga775 and it is nearly dead as there not making any new cpu,s for it but 1156 is only new and on your next upgrade in a few years you could still be able to upgrade your cpu to i7

Bob_Harris

massy086 wrote: »

what i was saying about going i5 or i3 is it is the latest tech there for it will mean you wont need another upgrade for a long while here,s what i think its not much more then what you are already thinking about spending and it should be much better

The Q9650 which he linked to is faster than the i5 750 :pac:

Deano12345

UnleashTheBeast wrote: »

This would be pushing it a little... but how good would this chip be?

http://www.misco.ie/productinformation/~153930~WW~/Intel%20Core%202%20Quad%20Q9650%20Socket%20LGA775%20Processor.htm

In my opinion, not worth the extra money. And about it suiting your board, it should, but I'd need the exact model to make sure

massy086

Bob_Harris wrote: »

The Q9650 which he linked to is faster than the i5 750 :pac:

not with ddr3 ram its not or overclocked do you really not see the upgrade deano even after he sells his 775 gear for all we know he could have a g31 horrible mobo it was a pre-built jobby after all lol

Bob_Harris

UnleashTheBeast wrote: »

This would be pushing it a little... but how good would this chip be?

http://www.misco.ie/productinformation/~153930~WW~/Intel%20Core%202%20Quad%20Q9650%20Socket%20LGA775%20Processor.htm

Use this site to help give an overview of where each CPU stands to help you with the decision

http://www.cpubenchmark.net/cpu_list.php

Solitaire

massy086 wrote: »

for all we know he could have a g31 horrible mobo it was a pre-built jobby after all lol

Or a 945G :eek:

Actually, that's a good point - what chipset is the existing mobo? Older ones can't take 45nm Core2s!