Upgrade my computer

[pracicot]

Hi all,

I've been with the same computer all my Bachelor degree and haven't had any problems before. But now that Battlefield 4 has been released, I realised that I might have to upgrade my system since I can barely play it at the lowest settings (I used to play little games like Counter-Strike and League of legends). I've always been with Intel processors, but now that I look around, I realise that AMD are a lot cheaper but then again my knockledge on processors and motherboard is quite low.

Here is my current spec:
CPU: Intel Q9550 @ 2.93Ghz
GPU: Radeon HD 6870 1Gb

I was first looking for upgrading my Q9550 to an i5 (since i7 doesn't bring much more for gaming experience that I know of). But then again I see alot a AMD processor that are quite cheaper.

So here is my question, what CPU & Motherboard should I get (I will get 8Gb DDR3 ram) if I want to play games like Battlefield 4 on (High / Ultra)?


Thx,
Patrick Racicot

 

[jay2577]

Are you getting a new graphics card as well?
What is your budget? It would help to know how much you want to spend

 

[pracicot]

Are you getting a new graphics card as well?
What is your budget? It would help to know how much you want to spend

Well for the Graphic Card, it's not priority since I think it's still pretty good. And for the budget I wouldnt want to go over 600$ (thinking of getting my pieces on boxing day)

 

[jay2577]

Your graphics card is okay but for $600 you can pick up a new graphics card, cpu, motherboard and ram.
In fact if you look at the link below you can get them all for $510.94.

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/27T8f

Of course you can take off $199.99 if you remove the graphics card.
Or you can add an AMD FX 8320 instead of the AMD FX 6300

 

[pracicot]

Your graphics card is okay but for $600 you can pick up a new graphics card, cpu, motherboard and ram.
In fact if you look at the link below you can get them all for $510.94.

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/27T8f

Of course you can take off $199.99 if you remove the graphics card.
Or you can add an AMD FX 8320 instead of the AMD FX 6300

That's some pretty nice setup, but what are the core difference bewteen taht AMD FX-6300 and an Intel i5 or i7 that would be at same performance point? Also will that build be able to run a game like battlefield 4 32vs32 on High / Ultra graphics?

 

[jay2577]

This is the benchmark results for the AMD 270x

The CPU is a different matter for Battlefield 4 multiplayer as the only benchmarks I can find for it are for single player. Multiplayer is far more taxing on the CPU. Here is some benchmarks for single player
http://static.techspot.com/articles-info/734/bench/CPU_01.png

Battlefield 4 can use 8 cores of a CPU which is where the AMD FX 8320 might be the better option than the 6300.
An i5 set up will be a little more expensive and unless you buy a unlocked K version. You won't be able to overclock like the AMD. All AMD FX CPU's come with an unlocked multiplier.
I have the AMD FX 8320 @ 4ghz up from 3.5ghz on stock voltage and have even had it at 4.2ghz on stock voltage.
Also the AMD 270x graphics card will be compatible with the Mantle update due in December for Battlefield 4 which should bring extra performance.
I modified the list with an i5 which is a little more expensive at $605.93
http://pcpartpicker.com/p/27WQN

The choice of CPU/motherboard is yours to make of course
I hope I have helped
If you have any further questions feel free to ask and i'll check this thread after work tomorrow

 

[jay2577]

Please note your AMD 6870 at the bottom of the graphics chart. You will need a new one to play Battlefield 4 on ultra

 

[pracicot]

This is the benchmark results for the AMD 270x

The CPU is a different matter for Battlefield 4 multiplayer as the only benchmarks I can find for it are for single player. Multiplayer is far more taxing on the CPU. Here is some benchmarks for single player
http://static.techspot.com/articles-info/734/bench/CPU_01.png

Battlefield 4 can use 8 cores of a CPU which is where the AMD FX 8320 might be the better option than the 6300.
An i5 set up will be a little more expensive and unless you buy a unlocked K version. You won't be able to overclock like the AMD. All AMD FX CPU's come with an unlocked multiplier.
I have the AMD FX 8320 @ 4ghz up from 3.5ghz on stock voltage and have even had it at 4.2ghz on stock voltage.
Also the AMD 270x graphics card will be compatible with the Mantle update due in December for Battlefield 4 which should bring extra performance.
I modified the list with an i5 which is a little more expensive at $605.93
http://pcpartpicker.com/p/27WQN

The choice of CPU/motherboard is yours to make of course
I hope I have helped
If you have any further questions feel free to ask and i'll check this thread after work tomorrow

Well you sir are what I call an real expert 😛.
So basicly the best bundle for performance // price would be to go for AMD CPU.

Also. for the http://pcpartpicker.com/parts/partlist/ is their a way to tell that website that I'm from canada so I get the good deals (like NCIX.ca insteand of NCIX.com)

Thx

 

[pracicot]

Please note your AMD 6870 at the bottom of the graphics chart. You will need a new one to play Battlefield 4 on ultra

Ya I just saw that =(

 

[jay2577]

Sorry the reply is so late. Hard day at work
That's why I included a graphics card. I also thought that you might want to get the AMD FX 8320 instead of the AMD FX 6300. That's if your budget allows it on the AMD build.
http://pcpartpicker.com/p/27XcS
It would take the cost to $551.93 but be more future proof. You should overclock it to 4Ghz too which is easy on stock volts with the cooler i recommended. I have the same set up.
I'm not sure about pcpartpicker in Canada as i'm from England.
I do think the AMD set up is the best value though and with the AMD 270x graphics card it will be one great set up

 

[pracicot]

Sorry the reply is so late. Hard day at work
That's why I included a graphics card. I also thought that you might want to get the AMD FX 8320 instead of the AMD FX 6300. That's if your budget allows it on the AMD build.
http://pcpartpicker.com/p/27XcS
It would take the cost to $551.93 but be more future proof. You should overclock it to 4Ghz too which is easy on stock volts with the cooler i recommended. I have the same set up.
I'm not sure about pcpartpicker in Canada as i'm from England.
I do think the AMD set up is the best value though and with the AMD 270x graphics card it will be one great set up

No problem for the delay on the answer I was at work also 😛

I'm pretty confident with the build you are recommending but I have a question that actually just poped in my head. My 650W power supply should do the job right?

 

[jay2577]

The recommended power supply for the AMD 270x is 500w and over so you should be fine.
What brand/model of power supply is it?
Some cheap ones do not give the wattage they advertise.

 

[pracicot]

The recommended power supply for the AMD 270x is 500w and over so you should be fine.
What brand/model of power supply is it?
Some cheap ones do not give the wattage they advertise.

I don't remember (is their a way to know without opening my PC)?
Also, last time I setup a CPU on a motherboard, I had to put some thermal cream between the CPU and the Cooler, is that still the case, and if it is those that thermal cream come with CPU when we buy them?!?

 

[jay2577]

Not really without opening your pc unless you have a window on your side panel. Should be just 2 screws to remove the side panel and your power supply will have a sticker on it's side. It should be easy to see
It is probably fine but it's better to just make sure. The power supply unit is one of the most underestimated components in a pc. It's the only real component able to destroy the rest of your pc if it fails. Only cheap ones will do this and very rarely. Good ones have protection built in.
I just want to make sure as it would be a shame to destroy your new computer by overlooking something

 

[pracicot]

Not really without opening your pc unless you have a window on your side panel. Should be just 2 screws to remove the side panel and your power supply will have a sticker on it's side. It should be easy to see
It is probably fine but it's better to just make sure. The power supply unit is one of the most underestimated components in a pc. It's the only real component able to destroy the rest of your pc if it fails. Only cheap ones will do this and very rarely. Good ones have protection built in.
I just want to make sure as it would be a shame to destroy your new computer by overlooking something

True, I'll check it out in half an hours. And for the thermal cream do you got any idea?

 

[jay2577]

As for the thermal compound it would have to be applied yes. You will only need to apply a very small amount. Half a pea size. I added it to your pcpartpicker list at the cost of an extra $6

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/28zj2

The cooler which comes with the CPU will have a thermal pad on the bottom which will not be able to be removed, you will be using the evo 212 which is why you will need the thermal compound.
The stock coolers that come with the AMD CPU's are terrible which is why i put the Cooler Master Evo 212 on your list

 

[pracicot]

As for the thermal compound it would have to be applied yes. You will only need to apply a very small amount. Half a pea size. I added it to your pcpartpicker list at the cost of an extra $6

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/28zj2

The cooler which comes with the CPU will have a thermal pad on the bottom which will not be able to be removed, you will be using the evo 212 which is why you will need the thermal compound.
The stock coolers that come with the AMD CPU's are terrible which is why i put the Cooler Master Evo 212 on your list

Aaaa I understand !! 😛 Ok ill check my Power Supply and come back at tyou soon

 

[jay2577]

Okay i'll check again after work tomorrow.
It's 12.22am in England and I have to be at work in 8 hours

Oh and will you know how to overclock the CPU to 4Ghz?
It's very easy to do in the bios with an unlocked multiplier. You will need to disable the turbo core function in the bios and just change a multiplier setting. I can help with that if you want.

 

[pracicot]

Okay i'll check again after work tomorrow.
It's 12.22am in England and I have to be at work in 8 hours

Oh and will you know how to overclock the CPU to 4Ghz?
It's very easy to do in the bios with an unlocked multiplier. You will need to disable the turbo core function in the bios and just change a multiplier setting. I can help with that if you want.

Alright have a great night!!

My powersupply is LSP Ultra 750W ATX

 

[jay2577]

Hi
I looked at your power supply and it seems okay. It puts out 45amps on the 12 volt rail which is plenty.
Personally I would only use the Seasonic, Antec, XFX or Corsair(not cx range) in my systems.
Something you might want to look at if you ever want to change power supplies.
Your power supply even if it did fail(one day in the far away future) has Short Circuit Protection, In-Rush Current Protection,Thermal Overload Cutoff Protection, Over-Temperature, Over-Voltage, Over-Current and Under Voltage protection so your system would be safe

I hope you have some awesome gaming on Battlefield 4

P.S. Did you think about the overclocking? Putting the AMD 8320 FX up to 4Ghz is a very mild overclock for a CPU like that and would make it the same speed as an AMD FX 8350 which is more expensive.

 

[pracicot]

Actually yes I was thinking of overclocking since everybody I know that have AMD CPU overclock!! But the concern I have with overclocking is the lifetime. Since I change CPU // Mobo no more then once per 5-6 years, will an AMD FX-8320 be good enough and will overclocking reduce its lifetime (what is the estimated lifetime of an overclocked AMD CPU?)

Thx

 

[jay2577]

I can't really answer the life expectancy of an overclocked AMD CPU but it's heat which shortens the lifespan. A mild overclock to 4Ghz should be fine with the cooler master evo 212 CPU cooler.
You won't need to increase the voltage to do that and as long as you have a good airfow it should be fine.
I have 4x12cm case fans controlled by a fan controller(for noise levels). I have 1 intake at the front, 1 intake on the side, 1 exhaust on the back and an exhaust on the top of my case(I have a bottom mounted PSU).
The recommended motherboard and the 8320 should be fine with that overclock.

 

[pracicot]

I can't really answer the life expectancy of an overclocked AMD CPU but it's heat which shortens the lifespan. A mild overclock to 4Ghz should be fine with the cooler master evo 212 CPU cooler.
You won't need to increase the voltage to do that and as long as you have a good airfow it should be fine.
I have 4x12cm case fans controlled by a fan controller(for noise levels). I have 1 intake at the front, 1 intake on the side, 1 exhaust on the back and an exhaust on the top of my case(I have a bottom mounted PSU).
The recommended motherboard and the 8320 should be fine with that overclock.

Perfect, thx alot for the tips and help!!

 

[jay2577]

No problem
Hope you have as much fun with your new build as i'm having with mine😀

 

[pracicot]

Hey Jay,

Just wanted to give you a heads up, I've builded my computer yesterday night and everything went perfectly. This morning I couldn't wait to test it out so I opened up BF4 and played a game. I was speechless, I didn't overclock anything yet and still the game runs super smoothly at around 70-80 FPS on ultra settings.

Thx again for you're precious help,
Patrick Racicot