Is a CPU upgrade worth it for better stream quality?

[yeahbuddy28]

My computer is probably considered a low end PC by today's specs but this is what I have to work with,
AMD FX 4130
AMD Radeon 7950
8GB DDR3-1866 RAM
I'm currently under the assumption that my CPU is the part bottle necking everything else. I'm currently able to stream games in 720p 30 FPS but my game will only run around 30 FPS and needs to be on low settings. I don't have the money to upgrade anything other than 1 or two parts right now. So i'm wondering if getting a different AM3 CPU would help or if it would be better to save that money so I can do a full system upgrade sooner. Also I am not currently overclocking but I would consider it as an alternative or in addition to any other advice.

 

[QwerkyPengwen]

yes. for playing your games and streaming using the same PC you need a beefier CPU. Otherwise you are going to have to sacrifice on quality in game to free up enough resources for your streaming application. I am assuming you are using OBS for streaming? As it stands with OBS or any other application your CPU isn't strong enough to handle running your games at the quality you are used to while streaming at a decent quality as well.

I'm not sure what motherboard you have but if it is an AM3+ and not just a standard AM3 you can totally upgrade to an 8320e or and 8350 without the need to get a new motherboard and possibly ram if you were to upgrade to something newer than that and those CPU's should suffice for your needs. And depending on your PSU you may just want to go with the 8320e since it'll use less power. Otherwise, the 8350 is about $10 cheaper from what I can see

--update--
Honestly, just get the 8320e and overclock it if you have the necessary motherboard to support it and one that allows overclocking.

 

[yeahbuddy28]

yes. for playing your games and streaming using the same PC you need a beefier CPU. Otherwise you are going to have to sacrifice on quality in game to free up enough resources for your streaming application. I am assuming you are using OBS for streaming? As it stands with OBS or any other application your CPU isn't strong enough to handle running your games at the quality you are used to while streaming at a decent quality as well.

I'm not sure what motherboard you have but if it is an AM3+ and not just a standard AM3 you can totally upgrade to an 8320e or and 8350 without the need to get a new motherboard and possibly ram if you were to upgrade to something newer than that and those CPU's should suffice for your needs. And depending on your PSU you may just want to go with the 8320e since it'll use less power. Otherwise, the 8350 is about $10 cheaper from what I can see

--update--
Honestly, just get the 8320e and overclock it if you have the necessary motherboard to support it and one that allows overclocking.

My bad I forgot a lot of important info, Yes I use OBS, my PSU is 600W and my Motherboard is a Biostar - TA970 which is AM3+ and as far as i'm aware is capable of overclocking. I would assume a 600W PSU should be enough for the 8350 so I would think getting that would be cheaper since overlocking the 8320e would also most likely require me to buy a better cooling system.

 

[electro_neanderthal]

yes. for playing your games and streaming using the same PC you need a beefier CPU. Otherwise you are going to have to sacrifice on quality in game to free up enough resources for your streaming application. I am assuming you are using OBS for streaming? As it stands with OBS or any other application your CPU isn't strong enough to handle running your games at the quality you are used to while streaming at a decent quality as well.

I'm not sure what motherboard you have but if it is an AM3+ and not just a standard AM3 you can totally upgrade to an 8320e or and 8350 without the need to get a new motherboard and possibly ram if you were to upgrade to something newer than that and those CPU's should suffice for your needs. And depending on your PSU you may just want to go with the 8320e since it'll use less power. Otherwise, the 8350 is about $10 cheaper from what I can see

--update--
Honestly, just get the 8320e and overclock it if you have the necessary motherboard to support it and one that allows overclocking.

I agree with most of this, but some AM3+ boards aren't designed for 125W processors like the 8350, so an 8320 will do if the motherboard isn't meant for 125W (something a google search can verify).

 

[QwerkyPengwen]

you are going to need to overclock the 8350 as well just to get optimal performance. So overclocking is going to happen either way. It's just best to get the 8320e for making sure your motherboard can handle the watts and that way it can overclock and use less watts than the 8350 would when overclocked. all you need for a decent overclock is moderate cooler.
Here are some choices for you:
Cryorig H7 $35
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00S7YA5FQ/?tag=pcpapi-20

Cooler Master Hyper 212x $30 and $20 after mail in rebate
https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?item=N82E16835103205

Cooler Master Hyper 212x dual fan $42.22 on sale right now and $32.22 after mail in rebate
https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?item=13C-000X-00037

Also, I recommend you get some thermal compound if you don't already have some. This is a great deal that has been on amazon since forever.
You get two for $9
https://www.amazon.com/Arctic-Silver-Thermal-Compound-Pack/dp/B00LT0ZWJE/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1521165956&sr=8-2&keywords=arctic+silver+5

 

[Karadjgne]

Thr 8320/8350/8370 are the same cpu, different stock clocks. All 125w, as is op's 4130. The TA970 supports 125w cpus.

Best possible cpu for that board is an 8370E. That's the 95w version of the 125w 8370, and will OC to @4.3-4.5GHz easily with a decent cooler, and the lowered power requirements will give the VRM's on the mobo the biggest OC possibility without overheating. You'll get more bang from an FX-E than a standard FX.

Best possible budget cpu would be the FX6300, the 6core 95w version. But it won't stream as well as its bigger 8core cousins.

AS5 is a very mediocre paste, in every way. It's only its price when introduced years ago that made it popular. Any of the decent pastes like Phanteks, Noctua, gelid extreme, grizzly kryonaut etc will last longer than the pc, never needing repaste as they don't dry out the was AS5 does.

If you do decide to OC the cpu for better performance (it's an FX, OC is strongly recommended nowadays) then whatever cooler you do purchase will come with paste, either pre-applied or in a tube. Factory pastes are either as good as AS5 or often, better.

 

[electro_neanderthal]

Whoops, I meant 8320e, not 8320 😛