upgrading from i5 2500 to i5 4460

[marskeiko123]

I am considering to run SLI for my pure gaming PC but I just found out that my motherboard does not support it and my PSU is not powerful enough. So since I need to change the above two components, I'm thinking I might as well upgrade the CPU. However, all I know about i5 2500 is that it is around 3 years old and i5 4460 released this year. So, other than i5 4460 is newer, is there any point to upgrade it if I want my PC to be better equipped for gaming? Thanks in advance.

 

[clutchc]

Both CPUs will run any gfx card at max performance, but the i5-4xxx line is on a newer platform and has better upgrading potential. You will, of course, need a new MB. The i5-2500 is a 1155 socket, while the i5-4xxx line uses the 1150 socket.

 

[marskeiko123]

Oh, I forgot to mention that I am planning to run a two way GTX 970 SLI. Is i5 2500 to i5 4460 a good upgrade or I should spend some more money to upgrade to a better CPU if my sole purpose for this PC is gaming only?

 

[clutchc]

Either CPU will handle 2 x GTX 970 in SLI. Tom's ranks both CPUs in the top tier for gaming: http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gaming-cpu-review-overclock,3106-5.html
But be sure you have a MB that has both PCIe x16 slots at x8 lanes minimum. Some boards have the 2nd slot at only x4 lanes electrically. And be sure your PSU can handle both cards and the CPU.

 

[marskeiko123]

Thanks clutchc, I am still doing my research part regarding a new motherboard. There are so many choices and I am completely lost. I do not mind spending a bit more money but if the money does not enhance my experience in gaming, I rather go for something cheaper. Do you have any recommendations if I decided to change my CPU to i5 4460? Not planning on overclocking.

 

[nikoli707]

you will not notice any difference between a 2500 and a 4460. not really an upgrade at all. now if you get an i5-2500k and a hyper 212 and overclock it to 4.4ghz, you will blow both 2500 and 4460 out of the water. but this is assuming you have a p67 or z68 motherboard already. knowing what motherboard you have right now would be nice. but since you want sli and you learned it wont work, that kinda sucks.

you really should be looking at a 4690k+hyper212 if you want a meaningful cpu horsepower upgrade. otherwise, i would vote for either a gigabyte or asus z97 that is sli certified and an xfx pro series 750w gold power supply.

you should also be able to get a pretty penny for that i5-2500 and whatever motherboard you have it in.

 

[marskeiko123]

@nikoli707: thanks for your reply, as I know very little about computers so I have no plans to overclock. If i5 2500 to i5 4460 is not considered an upgrade, then I should keep my i5 2500 and just change my motherboard and PSU. However, since I heard the socket for i5 2500 is LGA 1155 and z97 i assume is LGA 1150, so I guess I will have to buy an old motherboard with LGA 1155 socket that supports SLI ?

 

[nikoli707]

@nikoli707: thanks for your reply, as I know very little about computers so I have no plans to overclock. If i5 2500 to i5 4460 is not considered an upgrade, then I should keep my i5 2500 and just change my motherboard and PSU. However, since I heard the socket for i5 2500 is LGA 1155 and z97 i assume is LGA 1150, so I guess I will have to buy an old motherboard with LGA 1155 socket that supports SLI ?

overclocking intel 'k' processors is a very safe way to get free cpu horsepower. if your desiring sli 970s, you deserve it to yourself to understand overclocking and voltage and temperature. with very basic knowledge it is very easy to do a modest overclock on a processor like an i5-4690k. you are already hear posting on toms forums and you already seem to know a little bit about computers. i understand the reluctance to jumping into overclocking, but the gtx970s that you are already planning to buy can overclock like monsters and still be well within the safe range of many many years of safe use. people on here will help you with overclocking if you wish to choose that route. otherwise if you want to further future proof yourself or at least down the road if you decide to sell your rig, you will have a more capable machine by opting to go with an unlocked overclockable processor. it can be a fun and enlightening learning experience and net you more bang for your buck at the same time.

 

[marskeiko123]

@nikoli707: thanks for your reply, as I know very little about computers so I have no plans to overclock. If i5 2500 to i5 4460 is not considered an upgrade, then I should keep my i5 2500 and just change my motherboard and PSU. However, since I heard the socket for i5 2500 is LGA 1155 and z97 i assume is LGA 1150, so I guess I will have to buy an old motherboard with LGA 1155 socket that supports SLI ?

overclocking intel 'k' processors is a very safe way to get free cpu horsepower. if your desiring sli 970s, you deserve it to yourself to understand overclocking and voltage and temperature. with very basic knowledge it is very easy to do a modest overclock on a processor like an i5-4690k. you are already hear posting on toms forums and you already seem to know a little bit about computers. i understand the reluctance to jumping into overclocking, but the gtx970s that you are already planning to buy can overclock like monsters and still be well within the safe range of many many years of safe use. people on here will help you with overclocking if you wish to choose that route. otherwise if you want to further future proof yourself or at least down the road if you decide to sell your rig, you will have a more capable machine by opting to go with an unlocked overclockable processor. it can be a fun and enlightening learning experience and net you more bang for your buck at the same time.

I went with your advice and got myself a 4690k+hyper212 along with a ASRock z97 mobo. Do you have any good guide on how to start with overclocking? I have tried searching for it online but some guides seemed really complicated to me. If I am a complete noob with computers, what is the best place to look for guides about overclocking? Thank you

 

[clutchc]

Start by increasing the CPU clock multiplier in BIOS. One click at a time. stress test while watching temps, repeat.

 

[WhiteSnake91]

You made a wise choice getting the unlocked i5, it has much better resale value for when one day you decide to upgrade from it, and can extend it's useful life by overclocking. It basically just comes down to upping the multiplier one at a time and stress testing. It should get to 4ghz on stock voltage. Be careful with adding voltage, haswell is known to get pretty hot.

They supposedly used the same integrated heatsink as sandy bridge in devil's canyon, but I still see people come on here all the time complaining of high temps.

Even at stock clocks, your i5 is more than capable.

You could have honestly just gotten an SLI z77 motherboard and kept your i5 2500, but it will still sale for a good price.