H67 MOBO compatible with i7-3770 CPU

[Monkah]

I built a new PC back in September of 2007 and used the MSI H67MS-E23 (B3) MOBO partnered with an Intel Core i3-2100 Sandy Bridge. Recently, I've decided that I wanted to upgrade my CPU and GPU for better gaming. The CPU I'm looking at is the Intel Core i7-3770 Ivy Bridge.

I have heard that the new i7 Ivy Bridge needs a newer chipset (Z68). Is this true? Or will this CPU work with my existing MOBO?

 

[twelve25]

h67 should support an ivy bridge after a BIOS update.

However, I'd strongly consider going i5 instead if it is for gaming performance.

What video card do you have?

 

[Monkah]

Why do you recommend an i5 versus an i7? My video card right now is the SAPPHIRE Radeon HD 6850 1GB. I should clarify that I'm looking to future-proof my PC so that I won't have to make another upgrade relatively soon, thus the pull for the i7.

 

[twelve25]

Because an i7 is just an i5 with hyperthreading enabled. Every benchmark you will come across for games shows hyperthreading have zero effect on gaming performance. It really helps for video conversion and say CAD, etc, but not at all for games.

If you have $300 to put into the system, you are going to get a lot more bang out of upgrading the video card. i3 is still a very capable gaming CPU. 6850 is more of a bottleneck for games than the i3 at this point.

Selling your current CPU and GPU should net nearly $200. Add that to the $300 you would spend on the i7 and you have enough to go i5 + a very high end video card.

 

[Monkah]

Thanks for the help, Twelve25.

 

[Monkah]

Best answer selected by Monkah.