[SOLVED] CPU upgrade worthwhile on socket 1155 system?

ljbrandt

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Currently have a Intel DH67BL motherboard with i3-3225 cpu and 8gb DDR3 ram. Recently put in a SSD and saw a large performance boost. This PC would be for my my kids are who only interested in Minecraft/Roblox and school stuff/web-browsing . I would rather not upgrade the MB/ram etc....the power supply is fine. I'd rather stick with onboard graphics and not use a gpu. Would going with a used i7-3770 for about $75 be a worthwhile upgrade or would I not really notice any improvement on the above listed applications?
 
Solution
Considering you're on an Intel made motherboard, that board's going to croak sooner than later. The other issue is that the board is very nitpicky with rams if you do decide to perform a ram upgrade on the motherboard/platform. If you think you really don't have any other option, to not spend and retain the current system for as long as you can, until you can amass the funds for an APU, make sure that the motherboard is on the latest BIOS update prior to dropping in the i7-3770. Please note that the processor will be running hot so the stock cooler on the i3 will not cut it, meaning you're looking at an aftermarket cooler, which is going to be another 20 or so USD.

I still say that you shouldn't invest anymore on that platform, save...

Eximo

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For light games, a cheap used GPU makes more sense. Doesn't take much to beat Ivy Bridge Intel HD graphics.

So maybe a GT730 or the like around $30-40. split out your system ram from the video ram.

Still, 3770 is not a bad choice, enough for all but the latest titles. Just depends on what you want to spend in total.

Keep in mind that something like a 11th gen i3 is going to have an iGPU about as fast as a GT730, and a Ryzen G APU will be, max, about as fast as a GT1030.
 

perrynick17

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i3-3225 and i7-3770might be from the same architecture sandy bridge, Haswell or something. the only thing that would change is how much you can do at once not how fast its going to do it, not going to do much for gaming performance recommend a low profile direct x 12 graphics card
 

Lutfij

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Considering you're on an Intel made motherboard, that board's going to croak sooner than later. The other issue is that the board is very nitpicky with rams if you do decide to perform a ram upgrade on the motherboard/platform. If you think you really don't have any other option, to not spend and retain the current system for as long as you can, until you can amass the funds for an APU, make sure that the motherboard is on the latest BIOS update prior to dropping in the i7-3770. Please note that the processor will be running hot so the stock cooler on the i3 will not cut it, meaning you're looking at an aftermarket cooler, which is going to be another 20 or so USD.

I still say that you shouldn't invest anymore on that platform, save the funds and migrate to an APU build.

Also, how old is the PSU in your build? Make and model of the PSU in question? Cases make and model?
 
Solution

need4speeds

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The i3 is ok, by far ditching the onboard graphics will improve the system the most.
HD - 7670, 1GB GDDR5 $50.
https://www.newegg.com/p/27N-000R-00178
GTX-650 1GB DDR5 $70
https://www.newegg.com/asus-geforce-gtx-650-gtx650-dc-1gd5/p/N82E16814121794?quicklink=true
HD-7850 2GB DDR5 $125
https://www.newegg.com/sapphire-radeon-hd-7850-11200-98-90g/p/N82E16814202200

Look locally for used cards too.. Thanks to mining this is all i could find that's not too bad. The GT1030 or RX550 could be ok too.

My Garage system is a i5-2500. I dropped in my old HD-4870, it's way faster and supports more games and programs too.
-You will want to get a DDR5 card, many of the low end cards are DDR3 and they are much slower.

https://www.tomshardware.com/uk/reviews/gpu-hierarchy,4388.html
 

ljbrandt

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The i3 is ok, by far ditching the onboard graphics will improve the system the most.
HD - 7670, 1GB GDDR5 $50.
https://www.newegg.com/p/27N-000R-00178
GTX-650 1GB DDR5 $70
https://www.newegg.com/asus-geforce-gtx-650-gtx650-dc-1gd5/p/N82E16814121794?quicklink=true
HD-7850 2GB DDR5 $125
https://www.newegg.com/sapphire-radeon-hd-7850-11200-98-90g/p/N82E16814202200

Look locally for used cards too.. Thanks to mining this is all i could find that's not too bad. The GT1030 or RX550 could be ok too.

My Garage system is a i5-2500. I dropped in my old HD-4870, it's way faster and supports more games and programs too.
-You will want to get a DDR5 card, many of the low end cards are DDR3 and they are much slower.

https://www.tomshardware.com/uk/reviews/gpu-hierarchy,4388.html
Thank you...I was thinking about getting an RX460 or 750ti to keep power draw/stress low on my PS for longevity sake.
 

need4speeds

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Your power supply has a single pcie plug on it. Your going to have to look up the wattage and the plugs first when looking at used cards. Yeah your gonna have to pass on that $40 GTX-580, HD-6970, ect. I tried to pick cards that are reasonable on power and have 1 plug in the picture. You can get a molex to pcie adapter or a pcie power plug splitter. For a lower wattage card like a HD-7870 or GTX660, that should be ok. A used GTX960 would be pretty good if you see one. Most of the 1 and 2GB cards don't have enough memory for mining so maybe you can find one.
 

ljbrandt

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I ended up getting a used RX 560D 2g, which is essentially a LP version of the regular 560 (probably about the same as a 460). Should be fine with the rest of the system for minecraft/roblox! I'm hoping that since it's 2gig that it wasn't used for mining.. the seller claims it wasn't.
 

need4speeds

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It sounds like a good card and should be faster than a HD-7850. It's also way better on power. Sapphire's version is claiming a 45watt TDP vs. the HD-7850's 130watts. Newer is better too, the fans, caps, ect. wear out and a older card has seen more use and wear and tear. Well im glad you found a card.