[SOLVED] How do I determine the correct CPU for my system

[matthew.garciia]

The past year I've been earning for a new CPU for the past few months, budget wouldn't be a problem, but I want to keep it not too expensive. Currently, my pc specs are: i3-4160, GTX 1080, ASRock BTC Pro r2.0, and DDR3 2x8GB 1600 ram. I felt that it was important to note these so that my CPU wont overpower the other parts.

I am only looking for a CPU upgrade, but any suggestions on the other specs would be appreciated too!
I currently have my eye on the i7-4970, but I am not sure if it is compatible with my specs.

Any suggestions? Thanks!

 

[Aeacus]

ASRock BTC Pro r2.0

H81 chipset with LGA1150 socket. Any 4th gen consumer CPU will do, where BIOS update might be necessary.

i7-4970

There are no such CPU. What there are, are: i7-4790 and i7-4770, both at 84W TDP. While your current CPU, i3-4160 is at 54W DTP.

Now, i didn't find any DTP limit on your MoBo, regarding CPUs. So, you should be safe with i7-4770 or i7-4790. But these need beefier CPU cooler than you have. So, factor in the cost of aftermarket CPU cooler as well.

any suggestions on the other specs

I have only one: Go with new CPU-MoBo-RAM combo.

Haswell line is old and not much point to invest more money into it.

E.g with as little as $240, you can get the following combo:

PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: Intel Core i3-10100F 3.6 GHz Quad-Core Processor ($92.50 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock H570M Pro4 Micro ATX LGA1200 Motherboard ($94.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: ADATA XPG Z1 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3000 CL16 Memory ($49.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $237.48
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2021-11-16 07:57 EST-0500

And here's how much you gain CPU wise, from i3-4160 to i3-10100F,
comparison: https://cpu.userbenchmark.com/Compare/Intel-Core-i3-4160-vs-Intel-Core-i3-10100F/2816vs4082

Note: i3-10100F doesn't have iGPU and needs dedicated GPU to work.

A bit more money would get you i3-10105, which does have iGPU,
pcpp: https://pcpartpicker.com/product/Xht9TW/intel-core-i3-10105-37-ghz-quad-core-processor-bx8070110105

 

[geofelt]

Here is the cpu support list for your motherboard:
https://www.asrock.com/mb/Intel/H81 Pro BTC R2.0/#CPU

I might add that the i7-4790K might be some 10% faster than the 4790.

 

[John Chesterfield]

I might add that the i7-4790K might be some 10% faster than the 4790.

Was just about to write the same. With a boost speed of 4.4Ghz, that's 400Mhz faster than the non k chip. It's worth getting one of those even if you don't have an overclocking board.

 

[matthew.garciia]

H81 chipset with LGA1150 socket. Any 4th gen consumer CPU will do, where BIOS update might be necessary.



There are no such CPU. What there are, are: i7-4790 and i7-4770, both at 84W TDP. While your current CPU, i3-4160 is at 54W DTP.

Now, i didn't find any DTP limit on your MoBo, regarding CPUs. So, you should be safe with i7-4770 or i7-4790. But these need beefier CPU cooler than you have. So, factor in the cost of aftermarket CPU cooler as well.



I have only one: Go with new CPU-MoBo-RAM combo.

Haswell line is old and not much point to invest more money into it.

E.g with as little as $240, you can get the following combo:

PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: Intel Core i3-10100F 3.6 GHz Quad-Core Processor ($92.50 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock H570M Pro4 Micro ATX LGA1200 Motherboard ($94.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: ADATA XPG Z1 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3000 CL16 Memory ($49.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $237.48
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2021-11-16 07:57 EST-0500

And here's how much you gain CPU wise, from i3-4160 to i3-10100F,
comparison: https://cpu.userbenchmark.com/Compare/Intel-Core-i3-4160-vs-Intel-Core-i3-10100F/2816vs4082

Note: i3-10100F doesn't have iGPU and needs dedicated GPU to work.

A bit more money would get you i3-10105, which does have iGPU,
pcpp: https://pcpartpicker.com/product/Xht9TW/intel-core-i3-10105-37-ghz-quad-core-processor-bx8070110105

Hey! Thanks for the suggestions, I will take note these in mind, these are going to really help, I appreciate it!

My only concern is the iGPU part, I'm confused as to what an iGPU is / dedicated GPU is. Are these functions that come with the CPU? Or is it something that has to do with my graphics card? Thanks!

 

[logainofhades]

IGP is graphics on the CPU package. Dedicated graphics is a separate card, like your GTX 1080. Might want to look at Ebay for E3 Xeons 1230v3, or better. If it ends in 0, or 1, it lacks IGP, if it ends in a 5, or 6, it has IGP. For example 1231v3 and 1246v3, or 1230v3 and 1245v3. They are basically an i7, with some added functions, with regards to ram support, for workstation/server motherboards.

 

[Aeacus]

My only concern is the iGPU part, I'm confused as to what an iGPU is / dedicated GPU is. Are these functions that come with the CPU? Or is it something that has to do with my graphics card? Thanks!

iGPU (integrated GPU) comes with CPU and is part of it. It enables to use your PC without dedicated GPU (e.g GTX 1080). And is good to have when your dedicated GPU happens to die. Having iGPU is like having fail-safe. Also, iGPU is good enough for web browsing and light gaming. Anything more, and you need dedicated GPU since those are considerably more powerful.

When it comes to iGPU, none of the Ryzen CPUs have them. Only Ryzen APUs have iGPU, which can be clearly seen with G-suffix, e.g 3200G. With Intel CPUs, and if there is F-suffix then that means CPU doesn't have iGPU. Like the 10100F i suggested. And Xeon CPUs were explained above.