Possibly making the switch from AMD to Intel.

[Cyrus9008]

Hey everyone, I am currently debating whether I should make the transition from AMD to Intel. I need some help whether or not I should do this. I use my computer for alot of gaming applications.

I am running an AMD Phenom II x4 920 @ 2.8GHz with 6gb of Patriot DDR2 6400 and a AMD 4890 GFX card.

For days now I have been making different combos or the FX series chips more specifically the 4 core one not the 8. But I have read many places on the internet that said it would not be worth the upgrade to do that. So I then looked at the 8 core cpus but I have been reading that the whole FX series is a bit flawed so far. I am on a bit of a budget meaning I can't spend 1000 on an intel chip either.

I don't really know anything about intel and I have been reading all the info I can but am running into trouble deciding if an upgrade from my current system would be worth it considering my budget. What would be a good combination of a CPU/MOBO/RAM I could buy that's intel that won't break the bank(CPU must be no less than 4 cores and no less than 8gb of RAM), but will greatly outperform my current system. Also I am currently not looking for a new video card, that's going to come later. I am willing to spend around ~5-6 hundred dollars

Thanks guys

 

[richierich1212]

Why don't you try overclocking? What games are you playing?

 

[Cyrus9008]

The cpu isn't unlocked so I can't mess with the multiplier. Everytime I OC to just 3.0GHz I would run into errors, BSOD and restarts. I have a great HSF so I know it isn't a heating issue it's always at around 30 degrees celsius. When I change CAS latency timings for the memory I also get BSOD and other errors. I play COD MW3 and BF3 mostly. I don't have trouble playing the games I get decent frame rates but not at full GFX settings. All around I just want a better computer I'm bored of this one haha.

 

[Cyrus9008]

Also I'm looking at the Intel Core i5-2500K Sandy Bridge 3.3GHz on newegg for 219 bucks but says it doesn't support hyperthread?!? are you kidding me? why have a multicore CPU if it doesn't support hyperthreading technology?

 

[NickR]

Hyperthreading means that each individual core can handle multiple threads simultaneously. The Quad-Core with HT is the i7, the i5 is quad core without HTR. AMD Phenom CPUs don't have hyperthreading at all.

 

[Cyrus9008]

Oh ok see what I mean I don't know much about Intel haha.... I thought hyperthreading had to do with the ability to run a program using multiple cores. Thanks for clearing that up.

Where in upstate NY do you live Nick? I live in Rochester

 

[NickR]

Oh ok see what I mean I don't know much about Intel haha.... I thought hyperthreading had to do with the ability to run a program using multiple cores. Thanks for clearing that up.

Where in upstate NY do you live Nick? I live in Rochester

Saratoga County. And no problem.

 

[Cyrus9008]

Ok, I searched online at products can I get some feedback how these parts would work out?

CPU: Intel Core i5-2500K Sandy Bridge 3.3GHz (3.7GHz Turbo Boost)
RAM: G.SKILL Sniper Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1866
MOBO: GIGABYTE GA-Z68MA-D2H-B3 LGA 1155 Intel Z68

A few questions, could I use that 1866 Ram at that speed with that processor? and would this be a big upgrade from my current system? thanks.

 

[richierich1212]

instead of that mobo I suggest this:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813157271

 

[Clinkster]

I'd get this memory if the sale is still on (should be for 2 more hours):

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...&SID=u00000687

 

[richierich1212]

The cpu isn't unlocked so I can't mess with the multiplier. Everytime I OC to just 3.0GHz I would run into errors, BSOD and restarts.

That's because when you increase the HTT speed, you have to lower the memory divider to match your memory's rated speeds. Try 242 HTT, and lower memory divider down one. Make sure your voltage is around 1.38v, cpu-nb voltage 1.25.

 

[Arkaign]

2500k is a great choice. For gamers, there is basically zero difference between that and the 2600k/2700k. Once overclocked to the relatively easy mid 4ghz range, any single GPU will be maxed out anyway

 

[Cyrus9008]

instead of that mobo I suggest this:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813157271

I do like the MOBO but what about the support for 1866? is it only supported with OCing?

 

[Cyrus9008]

That's because when you increase the HTT speed, you have to lower the memory divider to match your memory's rated speeds. Try 242 HTT, and lower memory divider down one. Make sure your voltage is around 1.38v, cpu-nb voltage 1.25.

I don't have much experience with overclocking, one of the reasons I'm on these boards I want to learn more about it, could I do all of this with AMD overdrive?

 

[Cyrus9008]

2500k is a great choice. For gamers, there is basically zero difference between that and the 2600k/2700k. Once overclocked to the relatively easy mid 4ghz range, any single GPU will be maxed out anyway

From the reviews I'm reading it's reletively easy to OC these CPUs as well, which is good news.

On the Intel chips it mentions Intel HD graphics 3000. What is this? basically a built in GFX into the CPU? Considering I have my own 4890 GFX card does this matter if I have a 2000 or 3000?

 

[Red Hawk]

If there's a Microcenter nearby, you can get the CPU for much less than from Newegg: http://www.microcenter.com/single_pr...uct_id=0354589

From the reviews I'm reading it's reletively easy to OC these CPUs as well, which is good news.

On the Intel chips it mentions Intel HD graphics 3000. What is this? basically a built in GFX into the CPU? Considering I have my own 4890 GFX card does this matter if I have a 2000 or 3000?

Yes, it is a graphics chip built into the CPU. But it's pathetically weak. You can only access while using your 4890 if you get a Z68 chipset motherboard. There's only two reasons you would want to do that: superfast h264 video encoding (only relevant with video conversion software that supports Intel's tech) and power savings when not using GPU intensive tasks.

 

[Uppsala9496]

Doesn't look like there is a micocenter near you. If so, the X6 1055t for $119 with a free mobo is tough to pass on. I have 2 of them running @ 3.36 with nothing more than adjusting the fsb to 240 to allow my ram to run at 1666 speed. Bumped the nb to cpu voltage to 1.2 from 1.1.

Looks like the 1055t is back to $139.99. Still a good deal.

 

[Smoblikat]

instead of that mobo I suggest this:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813157271

I agree on this mobo, im using it and it rocks.

 

[Idontcare]

Welcome to the forums Cyrus9008! :thumbsup:

 

[beginner99]

I'm not sure if a 2500k will do much if anything for BF3 gaming considering the 4890 isn't exactly new too. Meaning you are probably CPU and GPU bound and would need to upgrade both to notice any considerable difference.

And since you seem to be on a tight budget I would first try to read up on overclocking (use google or this forum) and see if that leads to any improvements.

 

[mrjoltcola]

The best chip on the market is Sandy Bridge, for per-clock performance. Overclocking your 920 is a good idea, but won't put you within striking distance of the 2500K. The 2500K is essentially a 4.2Ghz chip (ie. it runs that speed with stock voltage). At stock settings, the 2500K is like an 8-core Phenom 920, you'd have to overclock your 920 to 5Ghz to match, and that isn't realistic. So just get the 2500K. Your 920 will still sell well.

At stock speeds, with similar video cards you'll see a decent framerate increase moving to the 2500K.

All that said, your 920 would still push a better video card, so you may want to try a new GPU first.

 

[antisocialmunky]

The best chip on the market is Sandy Bridge, for per-clock performance. Overclocking your 920 is a good idea, but won't put you within striking distance of the 2500K. The 2500K is essentially a 4.2Ghz chip (ie. it runs that speed with stock voltage). At stock settings, the 2500K is like an 8-core Phenom 920, you'd have to overclock your 920 to 5Ghz to match, and that isn't realistic. So just get the 2500K. Your 920 will still sell well.

At stock speeds, with similar video cards you'll see a decent framerate increase moving to the 2500K.

All that said, your 920 would still push a better video card, so you may want to try a new GPU first.

Some of the sentences here don't make sense with the word's you've chosen.

 

[mrjoltcola]

Some of the sentences here don't make sense with the word's you've chosen.

Point them out and I'll address them.

 

[antisocialmunky]

At stock settings, the 2500K is like an 8-core Phenom 920, you'd have to overclock your 920 to 5Ghz to match, and that isn't realistic. So just get the 2500K. Your 920 will still sell well.

I don't think a 5GHz PII can even match a quad core Sandy and the 8-core thing is just kinda weird. The 2500 isn't exactly a server opteron...

 

[mrjoltcola]

I don't think a 5GHz PII can even match a quad core Sandy and the 8-core thing is just kinda weird. The 2500 isn't exactly a server opteron...

I was referring to IPC / total throughput. Not threads. If you compare the benchmarks for these two processors, at stock clocks, the Sandy has nearly double the throughput of the 920 Phenom II. The 8-core metaphor might not be the best, but I was trying to communicate the relative IPC to the OP.