Is it worth upgrading my CPU?

[Penley54]

I am currently running on an amd athlon ii x3 455 with a gigabyte 970a-ud3. I am getting around 300 take or give a little for my birthday. I mainly use my Computer for gaming and I am considering upgrading to Intel. I am wondering, will I notice a big difference with an Intel CPU? Also which Intel CPU/Motherboard combo would you recommend for me with my price range? Thanks.

 

[Brett928S2]

Hi

300 WHAT ???

This is an International site....if you are talking dollars , its not enough...

If you are talking £`s THEN IT IS...JUST...

All the best Brett

 

[wr6133]

On that budget be it £ or $ I would just toss a better AMD on the motherboard Phenom II x4 965BE is about £85 or $120 leaves you some change to enjoy your birthday and the mobo is still current anyway.

 

[Penley54]

Sorry, it is $300. I might get a little more, not sure yet but what about my other questions?

 

[dreadllokz]

I don't thing its worth it. Only upgrading the hole plataform.

 

[wr6133]

Yes Intel would be an improvement if you got an i5 and the mobo to go with. That would eat your entire budget up though and possibly more if you want a featured decent mobo.

Phenom II would also be an improvement, use your current mobo and cost less than half your total budget meaning you could then buy an SSD or 4GB more RAM..... etc.

 

[ohyouknow]

If you live near a microcenter stop by and pick up a 3570k and z77 motherboard for around $250 with their combo deal.

If not, do as wr stated and go for a 965 and enjoy your leftover cash with some games or going out.

If no to above options

2500k or 3570k with a solid z77 motherboard will go above 300 and be closer to $350

 

[Penley54]

If you live near a microcenter stop by and pick up a 3570k and z77 motherboard for around $250 with their combo deal.

If not, do as wr stated and go for a 965 and enjoy your leftover cash with some games or going out.

If no to above options

2500k or 3570k with a solid z77 motherboard will go above 300 and be closer to $350

There is a microcenter pretty close to where I live. What is the deal? Could you send me a link if possible? And is the $250 even worth it? Thanks.

 

[ohyouknow]

www.microcenter.com

Look at their ad far right corner. Basically...

$169 2500k
$189 3570k

and $50 bucks off any motherboard with cpu purchase.

AMD

Phenom 965 and 1045t are both $100 bucks
8120 $149 and $40 bucks off new motherboard, but pointless since your motherboard is up to date.

I was actually there yesterday thinking about building my portable LAN ivy bridge setup/girlfriend computer.

 

[Penley54]

www.microcenter.com

Look at their ad far right corner. Basically...

$169 2500k
$189 3570k

and $50 bucks off any motherboard with cpu purchase.

AMD

Phenom 965 and 1045t are both $100 bucks
8120 $149 and $40 bucks off new motherboard, but pointless since your motherboard is up to date.

I was actually there yesterday thinking about building my portable LAN ivy bridge setup/girlfriend computer.

With that deal I will probably just switch to Intel with a 3570k and a decent motherboard. I didn't see anything on there for when the promotion ends... do you? I should be able to get the money by the end of this week so if it ends sooner than that I probably wont switch.

 

[serginho]

You can save money by upgrading to an amd phenom II 1100T and stay with your current motherboard, cant get better then that.

 

[Penley54]

I will have to think about what I am going to do but does anyone know when that sale ends from microcenter?

 

[ohyouknow]

I will have to think about what I am going to do but does anyone know when that sale ends from microcenter?

They have the same deal every month. It's not gonna change, probably going to fluctuate 10-20 bucks which is normal for computer hardware and omit or include some components.

 

[Penley54]

They have the same deal every month. It's not gonna change, probably going to fluctuate 10-20 bucks which is normal for computer hardware and omit or include some components.

Okay sounds good but I just got on there website and saw the 3570k on sale but where is the Motherboard/CPU Combo deal?
Edit: I found these 2 Motherboards on sale with purchase of an I5-3570K, which one is better? I also hope to Overclock this CPU in the future.
The Motherboards ---- http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0387326 -- OR -- http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0387556