CPU Upgrade and new mobo, recommendations?

[edvin.callheim3]

With my current CPU (i5 750) I'm having a pretty hard time gaming and stuff so I really need an upgrade. With the new generation of Intels CPU's I'm having a pretty hard time deciding what I should get. My budget is ~250 USD (210 euros) for the CPU and around the same for the Motherboard as well. I will probably also have to buy new RAM memories too. My current specs:

Processor: Intel Core i5 750 2.67GHz (needs an upgrade)

Video Card: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 970 (recently got it)
RAM: 12 GB (Will probably also need an upgrade)

So I'm looking for:

New CPU: ~250 USD
New Mobo: ~250 USD
New RAM: ~180 USD

Lower cost is of course better. I mostly do gaming but sometimes I like to edit videos and stuff like that. Hope you guys can help. Thanks!

 

[kanewolf]

I would suggest an i3-8350K for about $200. Then a Z370 motherboard, 16GB RAM (two DIMM matched set) and a 250GB M.2 SSD. Just a couple $$$ over your target but with an M.2 SSD.

Something like this

CPU: Intel - Core i3-8350K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($189.99 @ B&H)
CPU Cooler: Noctua - NH-U12S 55.0 CFM CPU Cooler ($57.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Asus - Prime Z370-A ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($167.89 @ OutletPC)
Memory: G.Skill - Ripjaws V Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-3200 Memory ($154.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung - 960 EVO 250GB M.2-2280 Solid State Drive ($127.89 @ OutletPC)
Total: $698.75
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2017-11-23 10:03 EST-0500

 

[edvin.callheim3]

I would suggest an i3-8350K for about $200. Then a Z370 motherboard, 16GB RAM (two DIMM matched set) and a 250GB M.2 SSD. Just a couple $$$ over your target but with an M.2 SSD.

Something like this

CPU: Intel - Core i3-8350K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($189.99 @ B&H)
CPU Cooler: Noctua - NH-U12S 55.0 CFM CPU Cooler ($57.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Asus - Prime Z370-A ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($167.89 @ OutletPC)
Memory: G.Skill - Ripjaws V Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-3200 Memory ($154.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung - 960 EVO 250GB M.2-2280 Solid State Drive ($127.89 @ OutletPC)
Total: $698.75
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2017-11-23 10:03 EST-0500

My friend reccomended the i5 8400. Would that one be better? I think it's around the same price. But thanks for your help!

 

[kanewolf]

Is an i5-8400 better? Yes and no. It has more cores (6 vs 4) but it is not "unlocked" so it is less easy to overclock. The "K" series CPUs have unlocked multipliers so they are easy to overclock. I recommend you read the review -- http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/intel-core-i3-8350k-cpu,5304.html They compare the i3 to the i5-8400. Make your own choice. It beats the 8400 in many things. Video rendering the 8400 is better because of the additional cores.

 

[edvin.callheim3]

Is an i5-8400 better? Yes and no. It has more cores (6 vs 4) but it is not "unlocked" so it is less easy to overclock. The "K" series CPUs have unlocked multipliers so they are easy to overclock. I recommend you read the review -- http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/intel-core-i3-8350k-cpu,5304.html They compare the i3 to the i5-8400. Make your own choice. It beats the 8400 in many things. Video rendering the 8400 is better because of the additional cores.

I do not really plan to overclock my cpu so I think I will go with the i5 8400. Does the motherboard and cpu cooler you mentioned work well with the 8400? Still thanks for your help I really appreciate it!

 

[kanewolf]

You didn't identify what case and power supply you have. You will need to be sure the cooler isn't too tall for your case. If you have a low quality power supply, you should consider replacement.

If you don't plan to overclock, then you might want to wait a little while until the lower cost 300 series motherboards become available. Right now only the Z series motherboards are available. They have a price premium since they cater to overclockers.

 

[edvin.callheim3]

You didn't identify what case and power supply you have. You will need to be sure the cooler isn't too tall for your case. If you have a low quality power supply, you should consider replacement.

If you don't plan to overclock, then you might want to wait a little while until the lower cost 300 series motherboards become available. Right now only the Z series motherboards are available. They have a price premium since they cater to overclockers.

I don't think the case will be a problem. Got it for free so if it actually doesn't fit later on I'm more than happy to switch from this old black piece of metal to something more appealing. I also got an EVGA 500W power supply so I don't think it will be a problem, but I might be wrong. And how long will I have to wait (I don't really want to wait for like 6 months if that is the case)

 

[kanewolf]

"Early 2018" is all I can find for release of the non-Z motherboards. You might not want to wait.

 

[edvin.callheim3]

"Early 2018" is all I can find for release of the non-Z motherboards. You might not want to wait.

Yeah I don't really want to wait. I'll survive paying some extra cash. So the Asus - Prime Z370-A ATX LGA1151 Motherboard is the "best"? I don't know if a motherboard have that much of an impact at performance but want to have a good one if I'm going to pay more anyway. Will probably do most gaming but sometimes video editing and stuff like that. Ram you recommended will probably work fine and I've decided on the CPU, everything is clear except for the mobo.

 

[kanewolf]

Best motherboard is a very subjective thing. Some people wouldn't have a motherboard without WIFI. Me, don't care. Asus motherboards are usually solid. You will have to review what features are important to you to pick a "best".

 

[edvin.callheim3]

Best motherboard is a very subjective thing. Some people wouldn't have a motherboard without WIFI. Me, don't care. Asus motherboards are usually solid. You will have to review what features are important to you to pick a "best".

What are some of the features I should be looking after? I do know I want to have ethernet but every mobo has that, right?

 

[kanewolf]

Yes, EVERY motherboard has at least one gigabit ethernet port. I would recommend YOU look at some Z370 reviews. You will see the types of things that manufacturers use to differentiate their boards.

Here is an article on how to choose a motherboard. You already know the CPU and REQUIRED motherboard choice. -- http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/motherboard-buying-guide,4596.html But which Z370, I can't specifically give you a recommendation.

 

[edvin.callheim3]

Yes, EVERY motherboard has at least one gigabit ethernet port. I would recommend YOU look at some Z370 reviews. You will see the types of things that manufacturers use to differentiate their boards.

Here is an article on how to choose a motherboard. You already know the CPU and REQUIRED motherboard choice. -- http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/motherboard-buying-guide,4596.html But which Z370, I can't specifically give you a recommendation.

I think I will go with the one you mentioned first. Just one last question. Can the memory be 2666 instead of 3200? And how much will the difference in performance be? (If there even are a difference)

 

[kanewolf]

Yes, 2400, 2666 any of them will work. Your performance differences with be a few percent in most applications. If you save some $$$ on the RAM, get a bigger M.2 SSD. 250GB is the minimum I would recommend. The Samsung EVO are some of the best.

 

[edvin.callheim3]

Yes, 2400, 2666 any of them will work. Your performance differences with be a few percent in most applications. If you save some $$$ on the RAM, get a bigger M.2 SSD. 250GB is the minimum I would recommend. The Samsung EVO are some of the best.

Yeah I almost forgot. My current CPU cooler is an Cooler Master Hyper something. Can I use it for the i5 8400 too?

 

[kanewolf]

I would check Coolermaster's website. You may have to buy an installation kit because you may have lost some of the necessary parts (I know I probably would have)...

 

[edvin.callheim3]

I would check Coolermaster's website. You may have to buy an installation kit because you may have lost some of the necessary parts (I know I probably would have)...

Thank you really much for today!! I've had asked the same question for 2 weeks now from time to time and you are the first that actually helped me. I really appreciate it! 😀

 

[kanewolf]

There are so many threads, many of which ask the same question. I am not a gamer, so I don't usually get involved in threads asking about improving gaming performance because I don't know anything about gaming.

 

[edvin.callheim3]

There are so many threads, many of which ask the same question. I am not a gamer, so I don't usually get involved in threads asking about improving gaming performance because I don't know anything about gaming.

Still thank you very much. I have a better understanding about everything now. Everything got down to 628 usd which I think is pretty good. If you want I can update you when the upgrade is done. Have a great day sir

 

[kanewolf]

Glad I could help. If you had asked me how many FPS you would get in CSGO, I would have bailed out

 

[edvin.callheim3]

Glad I could help. If you had asked me how many FPS you would get in CSGO, I would have bailed out

I get around 90 fps with kg current specs. Only that with CPU heavy games like EU4 I'm having a hard time getting over 20fps. Even tho my cpu is 1st generation it still works really well and it's kinda surprising. But i still think that a new one would be a lot better