Intel 5520 chipset. CPU Upgrade?

[Adamski9807]

Hi all i have the above mobo currently with a xeon x5660. whats the best CPU I can upgrade for this board?

 

[Calculagator]

Probably an x5690, w3690, or i7 990x (the i7 only if using non-ecc RAM).

 

[Adamski9807]

Can i only use Xeon Cpus? to me these arent vastly different. But yet they are all supremely expensive. isnt the i7 4790k hugely superior but yet its only £260???

 

[Calculagator]

If you have ecc RAM then you need a Xeon unless you want to replace your RAM.
Why do you want to upgrade? Your current CPU is a great one.
They are expensive if you buy them new but used--$200 for a 6 core CPU is not bad.
The 4790k is mostly better (though it is has 2 fewer cores, doesn't support as many PCI-E lanes, dual processors, or as much RAM), but it is a new CPU. Intel makes it so that you always get the best performance for your money buying new CPUs. They pretty much never lower prices for older CPUs. Of course, buying a new CPU requires buying a new motherboard as well.

 

[Adamski9807]

I have 48GB of really old DDR3 ram, if i upgraded this ram would i notice a speed\performance increase? if so any suggestions? Dont get me wrong i love the x5660 it has served me well and still does.