A4-5300 Upgrade decision help

bisonfan

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Jan 6, 2015
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Hi First time poster, frequent reader.

I built my own PC about 1.5 years ago with the intent of it being a HTPC/Media player/DVR only. Welll the pc gaming bug has hit me and now I would like to upgrade.

My MB is an MSI FM2-A75MA-E35. I don't recall my RAM speciics but I do have 8GB (2x4gb). I am running a 64gb SSD with a 250GB and 3TB HDD for storage.

My reason upgrade is two fold. Would like a little more HP for ripping dvd and compressiong (handbrake, makemkv, etc... Mostly DVD's) as well as light gaming HP...Currently big into Farming Simulator 15. Other games - Sim CIty and Age of Empires III. I don't care for first shooter person sort of games so the big titles don't interest me.

I do have a GT730 graphics card so a discrete CPU like a 760K or switching to Intel would be possible.

MY computer usage is probably 70% DVR/Live TV, 30% Gaming.

I like the 760K but wonder how that would do with power consupmtion when I am just watching live tv or recorded shows as I wouldn't be pushing it much.

I am open to say an G3258 but wonder how much that would really help me. I know that it would provide a better pathway for upgrades inthe future.

My budget is $125-$140.

Thanks!
 
Solution


If you go the Intel route, and if you don't care about OC'ing, you could instead choose the faster i3-4130. It too is a dual core, but has Hyper Threading that allows it to run 4 threads simultaneously. I'm on one now. My little HTPC turned office PC has that CPU in it. Quite fast and cool. I think it would be just outside your budget you set, though.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116946
If this is your board: http://us.msi.com/support/mb/FM2A75MAE35.html#support-cpu
...the CPU compatibility list shows you can use almost any APU or Athlon available. You may need to update the BIOS to a later version, but that is easy with MSI's Live Update right from Windows. The Athlon X4 760K would be the single fastest processor since you have a discrete card that is at least as fast if not faster than the best on-die GPU that the APUs have.

Moving to an Intel platform would require a new MB and CPU. These would be a budget priced combination that would allow OC'ing the G3258 and be well under budget. You would also have the option of upgrading to a faster processor in the future, whereas you are at the top of the food chain with the FM2+ socket and the Athlon.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819117374&Tpk=g3258
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130730
 
Yes that is my MB.

I keep wavering on the right upgrade path. I like the idea of a quad core but not the 100W part. I like the G3258 for 54W but not sure about a dual core for my next step up. I also have never overclocked anything so I am a bit reluctant to say I would.
 


If you go the Intel route, and if you don't care about OC'ing, you could instead choose the faster i3-4130. It too is a dual core, but has Hyper Threading that allows it to run 4 threads simultaneously. I'm on one now. My little HTPC turned office PC has that CPU in it. Quite fast and cool. I think it would be just outside your budget you set, though.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116946
 
Solution
I like the 4130 (I believe quiksync is enabled) but is a bit over budget unless I went with an ultra cheap h81 motherboard. Which is probably acceptable for my usage. Think I might save some more and aim for one of these instead. EDIT - after looking at the motherboard options I am leaning towards a B85 board instead.
 
Hers' a good quick reference to help determine the differences between Intel chipsets for the Haswell CPUs. It will allow you to decide what features are necessary for your use and which you may never use.
http://www.pugetsystems.com/labs/articles/Z87-H87-H81-Q87-Q85-B85-What-is-the-difference-473/
 
Just a quick update. I found a used Athlon 760K in the town I live for a very reasonable price and picked it up. I am happy with the CPU as it is night and day difference from the a4-5300.

Thanks to clutchc for all the help.
 


Since you've swung back to the CPU upgrade option instead of the full platform change, you can ay least rest comfortable in the knowledge that you have the best CPU for that board. One that will allow future gfx card upgrading when you decide you want to play those games at near max/max settings.