Upgrading CPU and Mobo

[ramj70]

My current rig is in my sig and I will keep everything except the CPU and mobo. I have around $500 to upgrade. My rig is used for 1920x1080 gaming, FPS, RTS games mostly. I was planning on switching to Intel and going with the I5-2500k as I might try to OC a little bit. I don't know much about Intel motherboards, so I'm not sure what type to get

 

[lehtv]

In FPS games you won't see much of an improvement with 2500K. In RTS games maybe it'll be somewhat worth it. Have you overclocked your 965?

2500K $220
Z68 mobo $120-160, e.g. Asrock Z68 Pro3 Gen3, Asus P8Z68-V LE, Gigabyte Z68X-UD3H

If I had $500 to use on upgrades I'd buy Crucial M4 128GB SSD for $185 and wait for Ivy Bridge to be released in April.

 

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

Make sure your Ram is voltage compatible if you go with the i5/Intel

 

[ramj70]

In FPS games you won't see much of an improvement with 2500K. In RTS games maybe it'll be somewhat worth it. Have you overclocked your 965?

2500K $220
Z68 mobo $120-160, e.g. Asrock Z68 Pro3 Gen3, Asus P8Z68-V LE, Gigabyte Z68X-UD3H

If I had $500 to use on upgrades I'd buy Crucial M4 128GB SSD for $185 and wait for Ivy Bridge to be released in April.

I haven't tried to OC the 965 I do have. It's the 140W version and I just have the stock heatsink so I was a little weary about the heat and with the 480 I have it can get kind of toasty in there during heavy game play.

The SSD sounds like a good idea though, I might get one and wait for the Ivy Bridge. Thanks.

 

[monkeydelmagico]

Your CPU may have as much as 20% untapped potential (stock 3.4Ghz - typical OC 4ish). You got some time and like to mess around with your computer settings? Check your CPU temps using HWmonitor and Prime95. If you temps stay under 60 celcius you could probably overclock it a bit. I would not advise increasing voltages on a stock cooler though. Some AMD coolers are not that great. Your stock cooler should at least be the heatpiped version. If it's the all aluminum tiny version with no copper heat pipes go to next paragraph.

If you really wanted to see what the max OC on your 965 is you would probably need a new cooler. The plus side on that deal is most decent coolers can transfer over to the i2500k.

If you don't want/need/like the idea of spending a few hours farting around with it then go to microcenter and grab a bargain on a 2500k and new mobo. Folks are walking out of there with new setup for under $250.- It's a drool worthy combo deal.

 

[tweakboy]

Stick with your Phenom quad core.

Wait for Ivy Bridge then make your upgrade. Also include SSD in the upgrade. gl

Your not going to see a noticeable difference in games. Its the 480 that is pushing the pixels not the CPU. As long as you got a quad core CPU your fine for gaming. You have no reason to upgrade, plus the fact you haven't untapped and OCed your CPU.

Your fine for now, Wait until Ivy Bridge or Haswell and also put in a SSD and your set.