New CPU or Overclock?\

[Mav3rick]

I currently have an AMD 6300 6 core processor and an MSI 7641 motherboard. I am wondering if it would be better to just go to intel or would buying a new mobo and overclocking the 6300 work well? I plan on using this pc or heavy gaming and have an aftermarket CoolerMaster Hyper D92 dual fan heatsink. I also have 4 120mm case fans. My gpu is a sapphire radeon r9 390 8gb.

 

[DonkeyOatie]

To get the best out of that CPU it has to be overclocked, and I would not even run that CPU on that motherboard, much less attempt to overclock on it.

Your decision is based purely on budget. For about $100 to $120 US, you can get a new motherboard and a good CPU cooler and the at leas 10% more usable goodness out of that CPU. It will overclock faster than 10%, but the 10% is the practical return on the extra speed because only the CPU is better.

A better CPU/motherboard combination will cost a little more than twice as much; around $250 at a minimum, but will give at least 20% more in gaming (except in older games where the CPU you have is already OK)

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

Even if they had an FX 8 core it will hold back a 390. 🙁

 

[DonkeyOatie]

Absolutely true, but an overclocked FX 6300 and a new motherboard will hold it back less . When we know what the budget looks like, it will be possible to see what the best option is.

 

[Mav3rick]

Absolutely true, but an overclocked FX 6300 and a new motherboard will hold it back less . When we know what the budget looks like, it will be possible to see what the best option is.

My budget is around $200. I probably will save up and get the cpu and mobo then so what would be the best two to get? My cpu cooler also fits most of the intel sockets.

 

[Mav3rick]

Absolutely true, but an overclocked FX 6300 and a new motherboard will hold it back less . When we know what the budget looks like, it will be possible to see what the best option is.

Also this PC is a mid tower if that has any effect. Bought it off best buy two years ago on black friday when I knew nothing about PCs. Gotta start somewhere.

 

[DonkeyOatie]

Then you need to save more if you want a CPU/Motherboard upgrade (Intel). Your existing cooler will do fine on a locked chip.

'Best two' depends entirely on budget.

A Haswell i5 + motherboard will come to about $250, give the 20% or more improvement I suggested and use your existing cooler and memory.
A more modern Skylake option will give you maybe 25% better, but will cost closer to $350 because you need new memory too.

This would be a good starting place.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4460 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($174.89 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: ASRock H97 PRO4 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($83.89 @ OutletPC)
Total: $258.78
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-03-10 11:51 EST-0500

There is wiggle room when we know what you think 'best' means.

 

[Mav3rick]

Then you need to save more if you want a CPU/Motherboard upgrade (Intel). Your existing cooler will do fine on a locked chip.

'Best two' depends entirely on budget.

A Haswell i5 + motherboard will come to about $250, give the 20% or more improvement I suggested and use your existing cooler and memory.
A more modern Skylake option will give you maybe 25% better, but will cost closer to $350 because you need new memory too.

This would be a good starting place.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4460 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($174.89 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: ASRock H97 PRO4 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($83.89 @ OutletPC)
Total: $258.78
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-03-10 11:51 EST-0500

There is wiggle room when we know what you think 'best' means.

What if i were to stick with amd and upgrade the mobo now and cpu later?

 

[DonkeyOatie]

There is no useful AMD CPU upgrade for Gaming. The FX83?? series is 'wider', but just as 'deep' and it's the 'deep' part that counts for gaming.