CPU upgrade advice requested

blunt_eastwood

Limp Gawd
Joined
Oct 4, 2011
Messages
173
Hi All,

Below are the specs on my current PC. I just upgraded my GPU to the 1060 GTX and feel like I could get an even bigger boost in performance if I also upgraded my CPU. I'd like to keep things as cheap and simple as possible, but I'm not sure if I can.

Is there a CPU I can get for my 1155 motherboard that will give me a worthwhile performance boost for around $200? Or am I basically stuck upgrading my CPU, Mobo, and ram to get any kind of worthwhile increase?

I'm currently playing Battlefield One and Destiny 2, plus some older games.

Intel Core i5 3570K 3.4GHz LGA 1155 Processor
GA-Z77-DS3H LGA 1155 Z77 ATX Intel Motherboard
1060 GTX 6 GB
12 GB RAM
Antec NEO ECO 620C 620W Continuous Power ATX12V v2.3 / EPS12V 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply
 
Sadly there isn't. That isn't a very good board for OCing so I wouldn't recommend that either. Maybe see if there are some good black friday deals coming up.
 
You don't mention that it is overclocked. If you don't have a good cooler already, grab one and OC it!
 
Hi All,

Below are the specs on my current PC. I just upgraded my GPU to the 1060 GTX and feel like I could get an even bigger boost in performance if I also upgraded my CPU. I'd like to keep things as cheap and simple as possible, but I'm not sure if I can.

Is there a CPU I can get for my 1155 motherboard that will give me a worthwhile performance boost for around $200? Or am I basically stuck upgrading my CPU, Mobo, and ram to get any kind of worthwhile increase?

I'm currently playing Battlefield One and Destiny 2, plus some older games.

Intel Core i5 3570K 3.4GHz LGA 1155 Processor
GA-Z77-DS3H LGA 1155 Z77 ATX Intel Motherboard
1060 GTX 6 GB
12 GB RAM
Antec NEO ECO 620C 620W Continuous Power ATX12V v2.3 / EPS12V 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply

cheapest option, overclock the hell out of your current chip and wait longer saving money to do a complete overhaul.

second option, look for a used i7 3770k and overclock to 4.4 - 4.5ghz and it should still go good for a longer period of time.
 
Gotta go with Araxie here. If it isnt overclocked, get a cheap cooler and get 25% more perrformance for $50.
 
Interesting. I've never overclocked before so I'm a little afraid of doing it. I assume someone here could help me?

Also is there a way to do some kind of benchmark on my current CPU setup so that I could actually compare the difference post-upgrade?
 
Interesting. I've never overclocked before so I'm a little afraid of doing it. I assume someone here could help me?

Also is there a way to do some kind of benchmark on my current CPU setup so that I could actually compare the difference post-upgrade?

fastest test would be with the CPU-Z benchmark tool, followed by Asus RealBench, Aida64 benchmarking tools (are several)..

about help, First go and read ivy Bridge overclocking guide from Asus.. it's the easier guide out there, then postback with any doubt so we can help further.
 
With no VRM heatsinks there might not be a ton of headroom on an overclock.

There's a guy in the FS/FT section selling an E3-1245v2 Xeon for $145. Basically a 3770. Should turbo all core to 3.8Ghz or so. Probably the best bang/buck upgrade without a system change.
 
my 3570k would do 4.3GHZ with stock volts. Should be fine with an H7 or True Spirit 140 Direct

The 12gb of ram you mention may be harder to OC slightly
 
So should I overclock my i5-3570 or get an i7-3770 and overclock that? On eBay I see the 3770k's going for $200 used. If the performance increase isn't that big between the two chips I'd rather just OC the i5-3570k.
 
So should I overclock my i5-3570 or get an i7-3770 and overclock that? On eBay I see the 3770k's going for $200 used. If the performance increase isn't that big between the two chips I'd rather just OC the i5-3570k.
Stick with the 3570K. If you find a 3770K, pay no more than $120 for it. With a 3770K, you're getting a slightly better overclocking CPU, 4 hyperthreads, which you don't really need (only helps with apps that support it), and a slightly better iGPU (which you probably don't use).

I still have plenty of 3570K's and 3770K's that I use. No need to upgrade them, they'll do for whatever you need it to do. However, they're all delidded and overclocked at a minimum to 4.4GHz, with minimal bump in voltage, if any. Delidding is easy, and depending on how clean you want it, takes anywhere from 5 minutes to 30 minutes. You just need a vice and a wooden block or two, if you don't want to use a hammer. A CM Hyper 212+ (~$20 on sale), and delidded, 4.8GHz with temps below 70C during load is probably where you'd want to keep it at the high end, YMWV.

Most of my 3770K's can reach 5.0GHz easily, one even to 5.1GHz. Most of my 3570K's end up at around 4.9GHz at the highest, but typically get to 4.8GHz pretty easily without too high of voltage.

P.S. If you're using the stock Intel heatsink, after delidding, overclocking the 3570K to 4.3 or 4.4GHz keeps temps perfectly reasonable. It's what I have on my wife's computer.
 
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Stick with the 3570K. If you find a 3770K, pay no more than $120 for it. With a 3770K, you're getting a slightly better overclocking CPU, 4 hyperthreads, which you don't really need (only helps with apps that support it), and a slightly better iGPU (which you probably don't use).

I still have plenty of 3570K's and 3770K's that I use. No need to upgrade them, they'll do for whatever you need it to do. However, they're all delidded and overclocked at a minimum to 4.4GHz, with minimal bump in voltage, if any. Delidding is easy, and depending on how clean you want it, takes anywhere from 5 minutes to 30 minutes. You just need a vice and a wooden block or two, if you don't want to use a hammer. A CM Hyper 212+ (~$20 on sale), and delidded, 4.8GHz with temps below 70C during load is probably where you'd want to keep it at the high end, YMWV.

Most of my 3770K's can reach 5.0GHz easily, one even to 5.1GHz. Most of my 3570K's end up at around 4.9GHz at the highest, but typically get to 4.8GHz pretty easily without too high of voltage.

P.S. If you're using the stock Intel heatsink, after delidding, overclocking the 3570K to 4.3 or 4.4GHz keeps temps perfectly reasonable. It's what I have on my wife's computer.


I'm not sure what delidding is and I'd rather not do it since I don't have a wooden block or vice, and because it sounds like something I would screw up.

Can I just buy a new cooler and Overclock or do I have to delid?
 
Personally, I wouldnt delid, just manage your expectations for an overclock. Since its your first OC, Im sure youll be happy with the gains you can make. Asus has fairly simple overclocking tools in its bios so youre in solid hands with the guide posted above.
 
I'm not sure what delidding is and I'd rather not do it since I don't have a wooden block or vice, and because it sounds like something I would screw up.

Can I just buy a new cooler and Overclock or do I have to delid?
You can always just buy a new cooler and overclock without delidding, but heat buildup will end up being an issue. It's just a cost/performance difference. Vices cost around $20, and you can find any blocky wood or plastic piece (or even metal, but wrap a few layers of duct tape over the sides), and a decent TIM is around $5. Otherwise, you could spend up to $80 on a top-of-the-line CPU cooler, but still not have cooler temperatures due to the heat buildup.

There are plenty of vids out there on how to delid a CPU. I've done maybe 30 delids? Haven't messed up once. I don't even use a hammer, I just use a wooden block and bump it lightly with my palm, that's how easy the lid comes off.
 
Alternatively I've heard there are places you can send your CPU to have it delidded.
 
I appreciate the advice but I'm not going to delid. I'm way too uncomfortable doing it and don't want to damage anything. Plus I'm trying to keep this as simple as possible. From OCN.net people are saying to get a Cryorig and just OC the chip.
 
Hi, I wouldn't delid the thing.. as others mentioned it will probably limit how far you might oc the thing.. but on the other hand if u mess up u can kill the cpu easily.

the Cryorig cooler and OC it.... but apparently start saving according to this video that seems to state that the i5-2500k is hanging in there so by logical extension the i5-3570K is also... however the end of an epic run seems to be looming...

 
fastest test would be with the CPU-Z benchmark tool, followed by Asus RealBench, Aida64 benchmarking tools (are several)..

about help, First go and read ivy Bridge overclocking guide from Asus.. it's the easier guide out there, then postback with any doubt so we can help further.

Okay, so here's what I believe I need to do. Am I missing anything?

1. Read the guide you posted
2. Buy an aftermarket cooler. Based on some advise it looks like this is the best one. https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=13C-000U-00005
3. Follow the instructions in the link to perform the overclokc.
 
I appreciate the advice but I'm not going to delid. I'm way too uncomfortable doing it and don't want to damage anything. Plus I'm trying to keep this as simple as possible. From OCN.net people are saying to get a Cryorig and just OC the chip.

At the very least this will be a good starting point. See what you can get out of it without the delid.
 
So on OCN someone said that my board isn't really optimal for overclocking because I have revision 1.0 instead of 1.1.

They told me to get a used board that's meant for overclocking.

Do you guys think I should do that or just do a cheap upgrade? What would get me a better bang for my buck?
 
So on OCN someone said that my board isn't really optimal for overclocking because I have revision 1.0 instead of 1.1.

They told me to get a used board that's meant for overclocking.

Do you guys think I should do that or just do a cheap upgrade? What would get me a better bang for my buck?

you will be fine, the issue with that board it's the lack of cooling on the VRM circuitry, it's a low end/entry level Z77, it have all the characteristics but still some lacks, so putting a dedicated Fan blowing air directly the VRMs will help a lot with the stability of the board, it just wont offer extreme levels of overclocks.
 
you will be fine, the issue with that board it's the lack of cooling on the VRM circuitry, it's a low end/entry level Z77, it have all the characteristics but still some lacks, so putting a dedicated Fan blowing air directly the VRMs will help a lot with the stability of the board, it just wont offer extreme levels of overclocks.

Thanks for the response. After thinking it over I've decided to sell my parts and do an upgrade. Even if I can overclock safely with the revision 1.0 board I don't feel comfortable doing it because it's completely new to me. The people on OCN have recommended some parts and it's been about 5 years since my last upgrade anyway so it seems like it's about time.

Here's what I'm looking to get. What do you guys think?

CPU: Intel Core i5-7600K Kaby Lake 3.80 GHz LGA 1151 Boxed Processor
Motherboard: Gigabyte Z270X-ULTRA GAMING LGA 1151 ATX Intel Motherboard
RAM: Crucial Ballistix Sport LT 8GB DDR4-2400 PC4-19200 CL16 Quad Channel Desktop Memory Module

The CPU and motherboard bundle is $260 and the ram is $84.99.
 
The difference between your 3570k and that 7600k are minimal. Either get the 7700k or get a coffee lake setup. Also one stick of memory is going to gimp your system. Just spend the money on a 2x8GB kit, especially now while there are sales.
 
any specific reason to go with the i5 7600K instead of the i5 8600K?. it should cost couple of bucks extra, however it will be substantially faster, specially if you are planing to keep that rig for another 5 years.
 
The difference between your 3570k and that 7600k are minimal. Either get the 7700k or get a coffee lake setup.

I won't say minimal, but I don't think it worth a complete system upgrade for the amount of performance gains.. it should be way faster than the 3570K at any clock, however at this point in the market and the type of games we have right now, i see no reason to keep investing in 4c/4t CPU unless the budget its completely tight.
 
any specific reason to go with the i5 7600K instead of the i5 8600K?. it should cost couple of bucks extra, however it will be substantially faster, specially if you are planing to keep that rig for another 5 years.

I can see the draw of a $260 combo especially when the 8600k by itself is pushing $300 and you still have to buy a board and memory, but I would just push the 3570k rather than upgrade to a 7600k. If the board breaks, then upgrade.
 
I would just push the 3570k rather than upgrade to a 7600k. If the board breaks, then upgrade.

Totally Agree.

I can see the draw of a $260 combo especially when the 8600k by itself is pushing $300 and you still have to buy a board and memory

aw, well, I thought they were having still those nice 8600K Bundles... it were like 259$ CPU+Mobo.
 
The difference between your 3570k and that 7600k are minimal. Either get the 7700k or get a coffee lake setup. Also one stick of memory is going to gimp your system. Just spend the money on a 2x8GB kit, especially now while there are sales.

I'm trying to stick to a budget of around $300. The i7-7700 is already $250 alone.

any specific reason to go with the i5 7600K instead of the i5 8600K?. it should cost couple of bucks extra, however it will be substantially faster, specially if you are planing to keep that rig for another 5 years.

That's what someone recommended to me on OCN. Where are you seeing that the i5-8600k is only a couple of bucks more than the i5-7600k? At Microcenter the 7600 is $180 and the 8600 is $299

I can see the draw of a $260 combo especially when the 8600k by itself is pushing $300 and you still have to buy a board and memory, but I would just push the 3570k rather than upgrade to a 7600k. If the board breaks, then upgrade.

I've never overclocked before and am not very comfortable doing it. Plus from what I'm being told I would still need to buy a new motherboard that supports overclocking and a new heatsink. I figure it's easier to just upgrade everything.
 
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