CPU for ATI 4850

[gaurmudit]

Hi!

I had bought ATI 4850 GPU couple of years back. Sadly then, I had Intel Pentium D, 2.8 Ghz, which actually never allowed my GPU to deliver to its true potential.
It's a bit down the lane, but can you help me find a CPU today that can be good enough for that GPU. I aim to get just the right CPU+Mobo for the GPU.

I had personally pinned down i2500K / AMD 1090T. But my knowledge of recent past is not that good about the performance and AMD vs Intel for ATI Radean. My budget would be not more than $200 for the CPU + Mobo, lower the better.


Objective: Get good CPU+Mobo for ATI 4580, which delivers its true potential for gaming, at minimmum cost. Or any better alternative you may suggest.

Thanks!!!

 

[jj463rd]

I see what you are saying.The Radeon HD 4850 was quite a nice graphics card back in the heyday of 2008.So what you are trying to do is have a balanced machine good for gaming yet you realize that the HD 4850 is not considered a high end graphics card today but still somewhat potent and useful.
You are trying to save some money.

I think that a good match would be anywhere between a AMD Athlon II X3 CPU like the Athlon II X3 455 (or any Athlon II X3 for that matter) up to a Sandybridge Intel Core i3-2100 (fairly potent yet inexpensive).

If you go too high in price for a CPU you might as well get a better graphics card.Either that or just consider using the HD 4850 temporarily until you can afford a better graphics card.

See the article here
Best Gaming CPUs For The Money: July 2011
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gaming-llano-processor,2989.html

and

Graphics Card Hierarchy Chart
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gaming-performance-radeon-geforce,2997-7.html

 

[simon12]

The 4850 Does not need an i5 or 6 core Cpu to get the most from it an Athlon x3 with a cheap board is fine. How about:
Athlon x3 445 $75 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103872
Cheap motherboard $40 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157202
I have used these components with a 4870 and it runs great.

 

[jj463rd]

I myself would now tend to avoid getting a AM2+ motherboard if you decide to get a AM3 type CPU like the Athlon II X3.Why? Because DDR3 memory is so much less expensive than older DDR2 memory and performs better.You could even consider getting a inexpensive AM3+ motherboard too if you desire a future (AM3+ Bulldozer) CPU upgrade.
A AM3 motherboard would be alright too if you stick with AM3 CPU's like the Athlon II X3's
However there are LGA 1155 motherboards for that Sandybridge Intel Core i3-2100 CPU at around the $70 price point so you could keep the CPU+ Motherboard costs under $200 if you want.

 

[simon12]

The board I recommended takes DDR3 Memory or DDR2 memory

 

[jj463rd]

My bad you're right it can take DDR 3 according to Asrock's website under the QV List of memory.

 

[simon12]

Its worth checking out the new Pentium G8XX series as well but the Athlon build should be cheaper.

 

[gaurmudit]

OK,

Great advice! It basically brings me down to ask you:

--> Is it advisable, as also suggested by jj463rd, that since I am upgrading I buy a good CPU and wait a bit to update the GPU later, when I can afford it. Since, I wouldn't like to update the CPU again then. That would make the decision right now a "bit future safe" as well.

OR

--> Buy the combination suggested by simon12 and if requried do complete upgrade few years down the line?

Just to add one more missing information: My current motherboard is Asus P5KPLM-CM.

Also, is it true that AMD CPUs are better companion for ATI Radean then Intel, esp when it comes to gaming? I see that as a reason you suggesting the AMD series, apart for them being definitely cheaper I have always landed up confused when making a choice between AMD and Intel!

@jj463rd: Thanks for understanding my situation so accurately, and nice article links!

@simon12: Since, you have used similar series GPU series and I presume, you have upgraded by now, so your advice also is really valuable.

Thanks for taking the time out !

 

[simon12]

You could just get a better motherboard that supports AM3+ CPUs and upgrade to a bulldozer CPU down the line when they are released something like this http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157262 $104.99 or get a 1155 board and a 2500K now and it should be good for any graphics card that comes up in the next year or so something like:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157229 149.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115072 219.99
All the boards I suggested support Crossfire and SLi if you don't need that there are cheaper options.

 

[jj463rd]

You should have mentioned before your current LGA 775 motherboard (Asus P5KPLM-CM)
which will take more potent Core 2 Duo and Core 2 Quad CPU's as a possible upgrade.Although now there are better CPU's on the market.
http://www.asus.com/Motherboards/Intel_Socket_775/P5KPLCM/#CPUS
Getting a inexpensive Core 2 Duo CPU like a Intel Core2 Duo E7500 Wolfdale 2.93GHz 3MB L2 Cache LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor just as an upgrade to your current board would be an alternative however the price on this CPU seems kinda high right now.

http://www.asus.com/Motherboards/Intel_Socket_775/P5KPLCM/#CPUS

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115056


"Also, is it true that AMD CPUs are better companion for ATI Radean then Intel, esp when it comes to gaming? I see that as a reason you suggesting the AMD series, apart for them being definitely cheaper I have always landed up confused when making a choice between AMD and Intel!"

No,either AMD or Intel CPU platforms are fine with your graphics card.

The $125 Intel Core i3 2100 performs about 50% better in gaming than a AMD Athlon II X3 450 (which is slightly faster than a 445) as seen in these benchmarks.

http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/289?vs=189

You can also compare other CPU's as well

Here are some under $75 LGA 1155 motherboards for it which together would total
$200 for the CPU+Motherboard.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100007627%20600093976%204026&IsNodeId=1&name=%2450%20-%20%2475

Still simon12 did list a CPU and Motherboard so inexpensive that with $200 you would easily be able to include the RAM in it and perhaps even a inexpensive DVD Burner all for under $200.Again though the Intel i3-2100 will get about 50% better frame rates in gaming according to the games under Anandtech's benches.

The i5-2500K is about a perfect gaming CPU right now but by itself the CPU is over $200 (which would put you over your $200 budget).There is a deal right now that ends today for the i5-2500K with $15 off of its $220 price at newegg.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115072

Still I'd opt for the i3-2100