Decent CPU Upgrade

stravencroft

Distinguished
Apr 15, 2010
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While my i-5 2500 has served me well over the last 4 years I believe it's time to upgrade to the i-7 series. While I would like to get a whole new motherboard as well and case my current funds do not allow for this at the moment.

What would be the best i-7 processor I would be able to put in my machine as it is?

I was also thinking of a GPU upgrade in a little while but I don't think anything else will fit into my current case/motherboard setup as this one barely made it in as is. Thanks for any and all help!

Specs:
Motherboard - Asus P8 P67-M Pro (Rev 3.0) socket: 1156/1155 https://www.asus.com/us/Motherboards/P8P67M_PRO/
Processor- Intel i5-2500 3.30
RAM - 8 gb (2x4gb)
Graphics- Nvidia GeForce GTX 660
HDD- 250 gb ssd 1tb (standard) 500gb (standard)
PSu- Antec EarthWatts 650w Extra Quiet ATX Power Supply SLI & X-fire ready
Case: Antec Sonata IV
 
http://www.asus.com/us/Motherboards/P8P67M_PRO/HelpDesk_CPU/

Core i7-3770/3770K will work with your board, & should show some performance improvement.

Beyond that, you're looking at a new motherboard, as you're on the old LGA 1155 socket (which predates the Haswell LGA 1150 socket, which itself is being replaced by Skylake's LGA 1151 socket).
 
Yes I'm in the US. At the moment things are extremely tight I'm looking to spend 400-500 at most. In a few months I will be in a better spot. I was thinking of putting off upgrading until I can afford a better case/board as well but depending on how low I can find the processor at was wondering if this would be worth it not. Think I saw the 3770 going for 450 or so new hoping I might make out better if I go used.