(Help) I want a new CPU and motherboard

Hi again ASSEMblerGames. After reviewing what PC I have, I now want to build a better PC.

What I'm looking for right now is a new MoBo and a CPU, and I'm a noob in that department.

My goal is improve video playback, recording, capturing, production, and rendering. I also want a faster, more efficient computer overall. From what I understand, for that I need to replace the MoBo and CPU. With a newer, more recent MoBo I can also finally install that XFX Radeon HD 5670 PCI Express 1GB GDDR5 Graphics Card I bought in the summer. I also have replaced the PSU with a Corsair CX500.

If I'm searching for a CPU and a MoBo, what do I look for to tell that it's better than what I have (if that makes any sense)? Where do I start?

I'm willing to spend $100-220 on those combo deals I see at newegg.com, which these two seem to be good upgrades.
AMD Athlon II X3 455 Rana 3.3GHz Socket AM3 95W Triple-Core Desktop Processor ADX455WFGMBOX
AMD Phenom II X2 555 Black Edition Callisto 3.2GHz Socket AM3 80W Dual-Core Desktop Processor - C3 Revision HDZ555WFGMBOX

For reference, here are my current PC, MotherBoard, and GPU specs.

Any useful help I get from here will be very appreciative. Thank you for reading this request.

-OKeijiDragon

 

I would suggest an Intel core i5 2500K or a core i7 2600K. Both are easily overclocked only needing to replace the standard cooler with a CM Hyper212Plus or any other cheap cpu cooler), plus it's way faster than any AMD on the market ( not counting the bulldozer, since i don't know much about it yet) and runs cooler and are more efficient as well.

Motherboard i would recommend any with the Z68 chipset and with the GEN3 support, meaning that it will support next generation of intel processors (ivy bridge) and PCI Express 3.0.

You'll spend more on those, but they'll be more future proof.

PS: If you plan on doing rendering, you'll need better memory as well. 8GB DDR3 at least. Plus i don't think a dual core processor will be enough.

 

Intel i52500k is a fantastic CPU, great performance out of the box and easily overclockable. FYI The 2500k DOES out perform the Bulldozer. Add as many cores as you like but if the architecture is crap it wont run well at all:thumbsup:

As a matter of preferance I don't bother with AMD at all in terms of processors. Their ATI cards have great Bang:Buck ratio though.

DDR3 is incredibly cheap at the moment. so I'd suggest going for 8gbs but 4gbs should be good enough.

 

Really? Still haven't read much about the Bulldozer. I'm buying parts for a new PC and i got an 2500K. I also got 4Gb of Ram because i won't be doing rendering or video editing. Got a 2x2GB 1600Mhz kit.

 

Well honestly you're running a Pentium 4 so ANYTHING you get now will be faster and more efficient!

Since you're going to be doing a lot of video rendering and production work I say nay to the AMD Phenom II x2 and Athlon II x3 that you're looking at (sans unlocking but I'm not going to get into that) and say go for at least a quad core. AMD Phenom II x4 955, 965, 975 or 980. You can even get a 6 core like an AMD Phenom II x6 1090t for about $170! Good value there. Either way they're dirt cheap these days so just get a quad core at the least!

Otherwise go Intel/Sandy Bridge. Quad Core Intel Core i5 2400, 2500 or 2500K. It's going to set you back a fair bit more money but it is a fair bit faster! Simple as that.

If you really want video rendering/production performance than go for the big guns. The Core i7 2600K. With Hyper Threading and 8 threads on tap it will rip video like... well... I don't know something that rips video like no tomorrow! But that CPU alone will cost you at least $300 not including the motherboard and RAM so for that reason I say go AMD at least quad core but pref 6 core or Intel Core i5 2400.

Sticking Strictly to your budget I guess the AMD Phenom II x4 965 might be the best bet. It's $130 but even that cuts it close for a decent motherboard and RAM. I would recommend a motherboard using the AMD 970 chipset since you don't need onboard video. This should get you a full sized board with USB3.0 and SATA III 6.0Gbps. I also recommend a board from either Gigabyte or Asus. These boards are close to $100 though. So... you're already over budget. But the thing is you already have a nice PSU and nice GPU so I wouldn't recommend cheaping out now. If it costs you an extra $40 to get a good motherboard go for it!

 

Thanks for the suggestions so far, I think I'm starting to get an idea on what to get now.

I found this CPU:
AMD Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition Deneb 3.2GHz Socket AM3 125W Quad-Core Processor HDZ955FBGMBOX

Will it be right for this MotherBoard I selected?
BIOSTAR TA870U3+ AM3 AMD 870 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX AMD Motherboard.
I chose this MoBo because I need a PCI slot for my graphics card. This one has PCI Express 2.0 x16 (x16, x4).

I'm hoping to find an affordable MoBo with a slot for my Radeon HD 5670 PCI Express 2.1 GDDR5 card.

I'll be sure to get more powerful, expensive hardware later on as I get accustomed to PC building. As you say, anything's better at this point.

EDIT: ...with that being said, aren't I already good to go with the I options I had before?

 

AMD Hexacore 3.2ghz with 3.6ghz turbo or the AMD Bulldozer Octacore dude.

Edit:- Just a note to all the AMD bashers on here, the AMD is better bang for your buck and also holds the world record for overclocking. Intel does have better architecture but is aimed more at the corporate market, and if you want a Hexacore then try and get an Intel one @ nearly $1000 (NZ Pricing) compared to around $400 for the equivalent AMD. I know which one I'd have.

 

Yeah just like how bulldozer was built up and fell flat on its arse.

The 8 core/8 threads 8150 performs worse than the 4C4T i5 2500K and the Phenom II X4 with 4C and 4T. AMD are crap now. If OP has to get an AMD CPU it needs to be a Phenom to be even remotely worth it.



Chances are, here your gonna pay extra for the bulldozer than you would the Phenom and get worse performance. Bang to buck my ass.

 

$1000 compared to $400 it isn't hard to work out which is worth it. Then you have to buy the board. I could build a computer for a $1000 with a Hexa-core instead of $2000 for a Quad-core. It's not rocket science. Who cares if the i7 performs better, it's the cost of it that puts me off. As soon as you buy it, Intel changes it's design and it's not worth what you just paid for it. The AMD still holds the world record for overclocking.

 

What CPU's are you talking about in terms of $1000 - $400, Intel have kept the same design from Sandy Bridge to Ivy Bridge and the record means nothing, It was attained on a new chip, I'd imagine when Ivy Bridge comes around the record will be attained on an Intel chip. You may think higher price = not worth it, but the performance IS far better, (As the i5 2500K vs Bulldozer showed, 8 Cores were slower than 4 Cores.)

 

Don't mean to piss on your fire or anything but no, IBM holds that record at 500GHz - http://www-03.ibm.com/press/us/en/pressrelease/19843.wss

 

Alright, I plan to get the AMD Phenom II X4 955 and the BIOSTAR TA870U3+ AM3 AMD 870 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX AMD Motherboard.

I hope all goes well!

 

I'm talking NZ dollars here aye. Here an i7 Quad or Hexacore costs $1000 compared to the AMD @ $400.

@splith; I meant a single processor. Are you calling my tutor a lyer?? I'm just trying to say that he DOESN'T need to go the Intel road. It's way more expensive.

 

I stand corrected, Intel ARE using a new platform, It has MANY benefits and new features though and 1366 did get a good 3+ year run.

 

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gaming-cpu-overclocking,3052.html

 

Well yes, IBM holds the world record at 500GHz, you can't say an AMD at 8GHz is anywhere near it.
AMD think clock speed is everything and they try to push it much further than intel - it isn't, and as a result the run faster but aren't actually as capable or computable as intel chips are, and is generally why they're a lot cheaper.

 

I got my motherboard & CPU in the mail yesterday!

...yet it doesn't fit into my computer tower so now I need a new wider one. =/

Which kind of tower do I need for the specific motherboard that I got?

 

You need atleast a Mid tower. From my experience I'd suggest the HAF series or the CM 690 II, as they both have nice cooling.