Upgrade suggestions - Phenom II Platform

[Auryx]

Hello there,

I am currently looking to upgrade my PC, I have listed my configuration in my profile if you can't read it please let me know, I am new to this awesome forum but not a stranger to TPU.

So my budget is around 350 euro and I was looking at the following:

- Upgrade processor & mobo since it is getting a little old and recently I can't get it to 3.6Ghz anymore without instability or without modifying the voltage ( even though I had it this way for some time ). Ivy 3570k or wait for Haswell maybe?

- Upgrade graphics card but on my current monitor I believe the 6950 is still a high-end card.

- Bigger monitor? But then again i would start getting limited by the processor and graphics card because when I play a game I like to play it on max settings on max possible resolution.

I am a Computer Science student and I do play demanding games from time to time but mainly light gaming for example League of Legends.

Thank you all for your time and looking forward to your suggestions.

[Melvis]

Id just go with the 3570K with some nice mobo and possibly upgrade ya monitor (1920*1080), the rest is fine

Nice avatar by the way!

[Auryx]

Thank you for your suggestion and compliment!

If not too much can you guys also recommend me a good mobo that can help me push the 3570K into the 4-4.5+Ghz range if I decide to go with the CPU upgrade ?

[Fourstaff]

If you only do light gaming I don't see why there is a need to upgrade. Of course, its always upgrade time in TPU so 3570K+motherboard of your choice is a good starting point. No need to wait for Haswell.

[Aquinus]

How has your computer been performing for you? Knowing what you're happy with and what you're not happy with could help us point you in the direction for new hardware.

[BarbaricSoul]

agreed, 3570 and a decent board

[Auryx]

Originally Posted by Aquinus

How has your computer been performing for you? Knowing what you're happy with and what you're not happy with could help us point you in the direction for new hardware.

Thank you all for your suggestions!

Well I'm getting a little worried that my current CPU fails to clock past 3.2 Ghz without causing instability, I am afraid that it will die soon that's why I am leaning more towards a CPU upgrade. I think an 3570k will help out with the little video processing I do and also with Visual Studio and other similar software and lastly better FPS in CPU-intensive games like Starcraft 2.

Should I go with the 3570K or wait for Haswell? Also can you guys recommend me a good motherboard that can help achieve 4.5Ghz overclock if I decide to go with 3570k?

[Fourstaff]

Originally Posted by Auryx

Thank you all for your suggestions!

Well I'm getting a little worried that my current CPU fails to clock past 3.2 Ghz without causing instability, I am afraid that it will die soon that's why I am leaning more towards a CPU upgrade. I think an 3570k will help out with the little video processing I do and also with Visual Studio and other similar software and lastly better FPS in CPU-intensive games like Starcraft 2.

Should I go with the 3570K or wait for Haswell? Also can you guys recommend me a good motherboard that can help achieve 4.5Ghz overclock if I decide to go with 3570k?

Wait for it to die and then get something new.

No, no need to wait for Haswell. If you need to upgrade now, do it. If not, then ask the question again when you need to. Any old Z77 board will get you to 4.5Ghz, just up the multiplier to 45x. Overclocking is too easy with SB/IVB.

[Auryx]

Well it's not like it's urgent but I have the so called upgrade "itch" that won't go away unless I buy some new hardware

[Jack1n]

I just upgraded from a phenom 2 940 to a 3570k and my mind is blown,i am an intel fan for life.

[Aquinus]

Originally Posted by Jack1n

I just upgraded from a phenom 2 940 to a 3570k and my mind is blown,i am an intel fan for life.

I'm not going to disagree with you since I moved from a Phenom II 940 to an i7 3820 and it was quite the upgrade, but if the his PII is doing everything he needs it to, I would wait for something newer to come out. In the interim you can save money to get something nicer down the road. I'm definitely not disappointed going with SB-E instead of SB or IVB. I upgraded because I needed more memory than 8Gb and I was bottlenecking on memory more than anything else with my Phenom II. I also tend to use a lot of ram.

[Fourstaff]

Originally Posted by Jack1n

I just upgraded from a phenom 2 940 to a 3570k and my mind is blown,i am an intel fan for life.

Don't be so shallow, you have at least half a century of life in you. Half a century ago Intel is not even around.

[Crap Daddy]

Keep the CPU. Get a HD7950 with some nice bundled games. Save the rest of the money. The difference you'll see by upgrading your GPU vs. the CPU will be greater than the other way around as far as gaming is involved. You can also think of a new monitor.

Just a hint:



Also take into account the excellent overclockability of these cards.

[Auryx]

My next question is as follows, should I go for the FX 8320 , clock it to 4-4.4 Ghz and save 100 euros for a potential GPU upgrade? Or go with the 3570 and keep my current GPU ( 6950 )

[Melvis]

Originally Posted by Auryx

My next question is as follows, should I go for the FX 8320 , clock it to 4-4.4 Ghz and save 100 euros for a potential GPU upgrade? Or go with the 3570 and keep my current GPU ( 6950 )

If your going to do that then either would be fine in my eyes.

The choice is yours!!

[Jack1n]

At the ress your using a 6950 will be able to max mostly anything so no point in upgrading that with your current monitor.

[Crap Daddy]

Originally Posted by Auryx

My next question is as follows, should I go for the FX 8320 , clock it to 4-4.4 Ghz and save 100 euros for a potential GPU upgrade? Or go with the 3570 and keep my current GPU ( 6950 )

You should check this thread:

http://www.techpowerup.com/forums/sh...72#post2777072

Pretty consistent 8320 improvement over PII.

[Auryx]

Thank you all for your suggestions ! I have decided on the 3570K but will not exclude the other options if I get a super offer on black friday. Will post back after i have bought something