Any budget CPU to go with a GTX 970?

[Dus]

My CPU is an Intel i3 2100 3,1 Ghz. I manage to get 60+ fps with my GTX 970 in a vast majority of tests but minimum FPS does hit 20-30 fps on certain occasions. Obviously my CPU is suspect.

Are the only CPUs that can make an appreciable difference here the 4th generaiton i5s and i7s? I ask because my current motherboard is an Intel DH61WW and only supports 2nd generation and 3rd generation CPUs (LGA1155 socket). With only a budget of around $200 an Intel Core i5 3470 is what is within my reach now.

My question specifically is this - would an incremental upgrade to a CPU like the i5 3470 make any difference at all or is going for a new motherboard + 4th gen processor the only way out? (in which case I'm better off just saving the $200 for now)

PS: My primary usage is game development (Unreal Engine 4), 3D painting (eg: Substance Painter) and of course gaming A beefy CPU will also help me build lightmaps for levels faster and run Visual Studio better but for now I'll be happy with just a budget CPU to avoid bottlenecking the 970.

 

[cowboydude99]

Hi,
I have a 2nd gen - i7 3770 with my GTX970. I don't get drops that low. So a 2nd gen would be just fine. Probably even for SLI.

I'd just upgrade the CPU, however I don't really think that is necessary for gaming.

I hope that helps!

$230
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116504

$299
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116502

 

[boosted1g]

Upgrading to an ivy bridge i5 would be a noticable increase.

If it was me I would save to do the mobo and cpu though. While the i5 is a decent enough performance boost, for me it would still be a waste to spend that much money, when for $100 more I can get the newest one.

 

[k1114]

There isn't a large increase in performance from gen to gen. You'd be fine with just going up to a quad core. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819117286 I'd suggest e3-1230v2, it's pretty much an i7 at the price of the i5. It's on the cpu support list if you were wondering. http://processormatch.intel.com/Processors/CompatibleProcessors?componentName=DH61WW

 

[cowboydude99]

Take a look here.
http://www.cpubenchmark.net/cpu_list.php

Sort it based on 'rank' and then go down to #1. Take a look at the best ranked CPUs.

I'd go for the i7 3770 if I were you. Yes you could upgrade to a new MB and CPU (4th gen) but the increase will not be so great.
Rank is 69 overall.

 

[Dus]

Thanks all for the great replies, this forum sure is fast


@cowboydude99 - I'm looking at the cpubenchmark data now to get a sense of the cost-benefit payoff.

@k1114 - e3-1230v2 is not available in my part of the world unfortunately.

@boosted1g - agreed, A Gigabyte B85M-D3H with a 4th gen i5-4460 may also be within my reach if I push my budget a bit.

 

[cowboydude99]

Looks like that CPU ranks 188th.

 

[k1114]

What country? Take passmark with a grain of salt though. It's much better to look at real world software benchmarks than synthetics.

 

[Dus]

India. Looking at another thread on this site (3rd gen v/s 4th gen) it seems 4th gen o.nly offers improved integrated graphics with a marginal perf boost - this realization is suddenly making the i7 3770 an attractive proposition. It's about $329.99 of course but there's a festival sale going on over here that I may be able to leverage.

 

[cowboydude99]

Nice- grab it!! It is a great CPU.

 

[k1114]

http://www.primeabgb.com/intel-xeon-e3-1245-v2-server-cpu-processor.html Is this any cheaper than the i7? You can find xeons in india...

 

[Dus]

I'll sleep over it and pick a solution tomorrow thanks everyone for your great replies again, I'm continually in awe of how quick and helpful this forum is!

 

[Dus]

@k1114 - good catch! Apparently I fail at googling.

That said, discounts make the i7 cheaper than the e3 1245 right now.