Upgrade from Phenom II X4 955

[aviator777]

I want to make a switch from an AMD based system to Intel. I've been looking at the i5 3470, I found great deals on ebay for it. My current setup is kind of old. For the GPU I'm looking to upgrade as well but I want something practical, like the GTX 1050. I want to make the switch because while my current CPU has held up since 2011, I prefer a faster and "less hot" kind of CPU.

CPU: Phenom II 955
GPU: GTX 560 SE
RAM: 12GB ddr3
Mobo: ASUS M5A78L-M/USB3

What do you think? Is the i5 3470 a great upgrade? Should I just keep my CPU and spend more on GPU? The games I really only play are FIFA, Assassins Creed, and a PS2 emulator.

 

[unreal9400]

Definitely the GPU first.
Keep saving until you can afford Kaby Lake or AMD Ryzen.

 

[RaDiKaL_]

I'd say go with the CPU first, an i3-6100 or if you can a i5-6500, their iGPU is faster than your current video card so you get upgraded on both sides, at least enough until your budget allows you to get a GPU too.

 

[Sam Hain]

If I was thinking of upgrading now, with a system that is approximately 6-7 years old (I'm guessing yours is, as I got my 965 BE/FX 790 in 09')... I'd hold out another month or so, to see what AMD unveils and after all is said and done with benches and testing.

You've had your system this long, so why not wait to see? It could be a win-win for you:

1- AMD new chips kick ass and are not super-expensive
2- Due to release of new AMD chips, Intel lowers their prices on select chips

Just my opinion...

 

[aviator777]

I'd say go with the CPU first, an i3-6100 or if you can a i5-6500, their iGPU is faster than your current video card so you get upgraded on both sides, at least enough until your budget allows you to get a GPU too.

What are the views on buying a used intel i5 3470 CPU off ebay? For example, these have great reviews http://www.ebay.com/urw/product-reviews/115945089?_itm=162300575269
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Intel-Core-i5-3470-3-2GHz-Quad-Core-CPU-Processor-SR0T8-LGA1155-CPU4199/262713911049?_trksid=p2047675.c100009.m1982&_trkparms=aid%3D888007%26algo%3DDISC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D38530%26meid%3D647f5ff1e4ab4f81bf614dfac926c1dd%26pid%3D100009%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D2%26sd%3D122260607474

As for the new AMD Ryzen CPUs there's some uncertainty in that theres not much out on them.

 

[RaDiKaL_]

While Intel 3rd Gen CPUs are still quite capable (specially if you get a K version and OC it) you'll be getting once more stuck with a dead platform, if you were to buy an i7 3770K / 3790K with a nice discount it could be worth it, otherwise better go with a 6th gen i3/i5 depending your budget.

Regarding the AMD Ryzen, if you can wait until March 2017 then it could be worth, either its a great buy or it will lower prices on other CPUs overall like Sam said.

 

[aviator777]

While Intel 3rd Gen CPUs are still quite capable (specially if you get a K version and OC it) you'll be getting once more stuck with a dead platform, if you were to buy an i7 3770K / 3790K with a nice discount it could be worth it, otherwise better go with a 6th gen i3/i5 depending your budget.

Regarding the AMD Ryzen, if you can wait until March 2017 then it could be worth, either its a great buy or it will lower prices on other CPUs overall like Sam said.

I see. In that case, I'll look to newer models like the 4460, LGA 1155 is dead as a platform & finding good motherboards for it has been a pain.