What CPU should I get?

[tecwhizz]

Hi,

I am currently suffering from slow-downs in computation-heavy games like FSX during challenging periods. I am running an Intel Core i5-3330 CPU at 3GHz.

I am looking to move to the 1150 socket, and have found a couple of boards that are interesting, but I was wondering what you might think the best bet for the new CPU might be!

A higher clock speed is the obvious parameter, but I know that clock speed is not everything.

My current CPU is at 99% utilisation in FSX, and so I would need something with a bit more capacity. I would be keen to stick with the i5 line as i7 seems a bit OTT for what I want, considering that most, if not all, of the stuff I run is not Hyperthreading compatible.

Thanks for your help and suggestions in advance.
Tom

 

[rizlca]

My bet would be on an i5 4690 or i5 4690k if you plan on overclocking.

 

[geofelt]

What is your budget?

A i5-4690K and a Z97 based motherboard will oc to good levels.
If an extra $100 is not a budget problem, I suggest the i7-4790K.
You may not need the hyperthreads, but they will be available.
Past that, you get a better binned chip that runs at 4.0/4.4 turbo at stock.
Any OC is a bonus.

 

[tecwhizz]

Thanks,

I am not planning on OCing, just because I don't want to risk damaging my system!

 

[iron8orn]

What is it your doing? There will be a decent performance gain with a 4690 but you might actually need more if your struggling now.

 

[geofelt]

Thanks,

I am not planning on OCing, just because I don't want to risk damaging my system!

Not to worry.
The "K" are sold by intel to be able to raise the multiplier for better performance.
You cant damage the cpu unless you explicitly raise the cpu voltage to dangerous levels.
If you leave voltage on auto, you are ok.
The cpu will shut down if it gets dangerously hot from too much voltage anyway.
You do not need to OC, particularly for the 4790K, but it is nice to have that option.

Your i3 is a dual core with hyperthreading.
My understanding is that FSX is one of the few games that is optimized for as many threads as you have.
When you look at the windows task manager, do you see all threads near 100%.
If you do, then a i7-4790K will be as good as it gets on a 1150 socket.

There are haswell-E chips that are 6 and 8 cores, but they will cost double.

 

[tecwhizz]

Hi again,

I'll think about the unlocked multipliers.

My current CPU is an i5, sans Hyperthreading.

All threads are on or near 99%.

My budget is around 150-200 pounds, that's 253-315 dollars)

 

[CTurbo]

The i5 4590 is roughly 25-30% stronger than the i5 3330

PCPartPicker part list: http://uk.pcpartpicker.com/p/b9wDkL
Price breakdown by merchant: http://uk.pcpartpicker.com/p/b9wDkL/by_merchant/

CPU: Intel Core i5-4590 3.3GHz Quad-Core Processor (£149.15 @ Aria PC)
Motherboard: MSI H97 PC MATE ATX LGA1150 Motherboard (£59.96 @ Scan.co.uk)
Total: £209.11
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-11-23 20:44 GMT+0000

 

[tecwhizz]

Oh, thanks for that. When I spoke about budget, I meant for the CPU! Sorry I did not make that clear...

I'd be willing to spend a little more on the CPU in order to be able to achieve even better frame rates on different games.

 

[CTurbo]

Well this is exactly what I would get if my budget was £200

PCPartPicker part list: http://uk.pcpartpicker.com/p/GN9vdC
Price breakdown by merchant: http://uk.pcpartpicker.com/p/GN9vdC/by_merchant/

CPU: Intel Xeon E3-1231 V3 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor (£201.65 @ More Computers)
Total: £201.65
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-11-23 21:01 GMT+0000

That is basically an i7 4770



If you really don't want an i7, the 4690k is you best bet.

 

[tecwhizz]

Thanks for that, I'll probably consider the i5 as there is a broader range of boards for the i5 than the Xeon (at least going on what Scan says). Thanks for all your help anyway.

 

[CTurbo]

No. Any board that supports the i5, will support that Xeon.

 

[tecwhizz]

No. Any board that supports the i5, will support that Xeon.

In that case, I might just get the X eon,

Thanks for your help.