How do I find out the best CPU I can use with my mobo?

[rob.salewytsch]

The title pretty much says it all.

Also, how do I find out what mobo I have?

If I were to upgrade my mobo and cpu, what's the best I can do using my existing DDR3 RAM?

 

[R_1]

https://www.cpuid.com/softwares/cpu-z.html
download and install CPU-z, it will give you the models of most of the parts in the computer. memory speeds and brand, motherboard, gpu, etc.

once you get the model of the motherboard, on the motherboard tab in cpu-z, google that with "CPU support" and you should be led to the manufacturers page with a list of all the supported CPU's. find the fastest one there.
I would not suggest attempting to keep the old RAM. the only recent boards that may support DDR3L are the 6th generation board 100 with series chipsets. DDR3 cannot run with DDR3L memory controller like the one in the sixth generation chips, you would still need new RAM, DDR3L.

if shopping used look for 5th generation or 4th generation chips, the 4970k is still a great performer.

 

[rob.salewytsch]

So it is a Pegatron Eureka3 and my CPU is an Intel Core 2 Quad Q8300.

I think this clearly answers my question. New Mobo and CPU are 100% required lol.

 

[R_1]

good news is the coffee-lake i3's are basically last generation i5's. starting at @$120 for the 8100. the i3-8350K is over 200% faster than the quad you currently have, over-clock-able to boot. looks like the early 2000's when the performance would double/triple each upgrade. its a great time to upgrade.
results generalization only but you get the idea.
http://cpu.userbenchmark.com/Compare/Intel-Core-i3-8350K-vs-Intel-Core2-Quad-Q8300/3935vsm1930

 

[rob.salewytsch]

I was contemplating a Ryzen 1600. Then saw the Intel 8400 and nearly fell out of my chair for it's price to performance.

The only problem I see/read is that the Coffee lake architecture is one and done. Whereas AM4 will be supported for 3-4 years. So unless I go all the way to i7-8700k, it might not be that long before i need an upgrade.

Lastly, when does the 8600k get released? I feel like that might be my go to.

 

[R_1]

I was contemplating a Ryzen 1600. Then saw the Intel 8400 and nearly fell out of my chair for it's price to performance.

The only problem I see/read is that the Coffee lake architecture is one and done. Whereas AM4 will be supported for 3-4 years. So unless I go all the way to i7-8700k, it might not be that long before i need an upgrade.

Lastly, when does the 8600k get released? I feel like that might be my go to.

how many times did you upgrade the c2q system's CPU? in all likelyhood a new CPU, Ryzen or Intel should last for at least 5 years. I showed the i3 as a start because it is way way faster and a heckuva an upgrade from a C2Q and it can scale to the i7 with 6 cores and 12 threads. unless you shoot for the top chip now there is a future, they are all the current lineup but there is significant performance to be had.

I am in a similar boat in the same ocean, my phenom II 955 is desperate for upgrading. I could still throw a 6 core phenom II 1090T in there but I would prefer a newly designed chip, DDR4, m.2 support, much higher IPC, lower energy consumption etc.
my planned upgrade was ryzen, but intels 8th generation looks sweet.

 

[rob.salewytsch]

I was also 100% geared for Ryzen. Now I'm just like, "why the fuck did I doubt Intel".

Although Ryzen is a much cooler name lol.