[maple_leafs182]

Right now I have an AMD 4800+ processor and I feel it is too slow. So I have decided to buy a new processor. Since my motherboard is an AM2 socket, I will need to get a new motherboard as well.

I only have $500 to spend on my upgrade and I have narrowed it down to 3 different processors. The AMD 970, the AMD 1090T and the Intel i5 2500K. I will primarily be using this computer for gaming and I was wondering which would be better.

Also, I have a gtx 460 and I will be buying another one for SLI. Do any of you have any recommendations as to what kind of motherboard would be best suited for me and will a 750 watt psu be good enough?

 

[Ocnewb]

If you're gonna use it solely for gaming then the i5-2500k is your choice. It's one of the best CPU for gaming

. U won't be disappointed.
Yes your 750W will be enough, what is it's brand anyway? Also u could get the ASRock Extreme 4 P8P67 mobo, solid board.

 

[PhillyOverclocker]

You will need DDR3 memory as well, since AM2 boards use DDR2. Also, what power supply are you using? it would also help us a lot if you filled out the rest of your system specs here.

 

[compudaze]

2500K by far is best for gaming.

You'll need some DDR3 RAM. I would recommend the 4GB DDR3-1600 CL9 1.5V Ripjaw X kit from G.SKILL.

Which PSU? 750W should be plenty regardless.

MSI P67A-G45 is probably the cheapest SLI board you can get. ASRock P67 EXTREME4 should be pretty solid.

 

[Aznboy1993]

With a $500 USD budget, I'd suggest going the Intel SB route.

The 2500K is one of the best CPUs out there ATM for the money, and in most synthetic and realworld benchmarks bested only by it's bigger brother, the 2600K. Clock for clock and architecture wise, Intel's SB is far ahead of what AMD has currently. In other words, the 2500K will kick any of the current AMD cpus in the arss.

Here is a good build:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboD...t=Combo.623052
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131703

That'll run you about $460 which is well within your budget. Also, a GTX 460 SLI would run well on that motherboard and a 750W PSU should be ample (considering that it's a good brand).

Good luck (and don't be afraid to PM me with questions on SB

)

 

[Theory]

Ok here ya go!
i5
MoBo
RAM

TOTAL: $454.97

 

[LOL_Wut_Axel]

We need to know what's the brand and model of your PSU before we tell you. If you had to choose between those three CPUs, the 2500K is easily the best choice. Sandy Bridge is a lot faster compared to Deneb/Thuban when it comes to IPC and the 2500K is easily faster than the Phenom II X4 970 when it comes to anything and only loses to the 1090T in the most highly-threaded tasks like 3D rendering. That's for stock performance. Over-clocked, you can easily get a 2500K to 4.8GHz and at that speed it's faster than a 4.2GHz 1090T in even that.

EDIT: your budget is $500, so I think this is the best you're gonna get for the price:

G.Skill 4GB DDR3 Ripjaws X 1600MHz:$50

Asus P8P67 Rev 3.0 (B3): $155

Intel Core i5 2500K: $225

If you don't already have a CPU cooler for LGA 1156/55, get:

Scythe Mugen 2 Cooler: $40

Subtotal: $470
Total: $473

You won't be able to squeeze a GTX 460 1GB into the build if you decide to get a 2500K. Also, so that we can know the specs of your system, next time please put your system specs in the sig.

 

[MIKEVALL]

+1 for the 2500k
+1 for a quality 750w psu is more than enough!

 

[maple_leafs182]

Thanks for the quick replies
$500 Canadian, like $520 American.

My PSU brand is Antec, no idea if it is a good brand or not, I bought it on sale, I never put much thought into my PSU.

Edit: The model is EA-750

So six cores isn't needed? What about a couple years down the road, would it be better to invest in a six core now for the future?

My friend was also going to sell me this ram for $40. Would you recommend me getting this or different ram?

 

[$ilent]

As others have stated, the i5 2500k is the way to go. I was shocked at how much better it performs, see benchs for it against the 1090T here

Anyhow, heres few parts I picked out on newegg, i think there prob best youll get for your $500!

 

[nagle3092]

Quote:

Originally Posted by $ilent As others have stated, the i5 2500k is the way to go. I was shocked at how much better it performs, see benchs for it against the 1090T here Anyhow, heres few parts I picked out on newegg, i think there prob best youll get for your $500!

I was just gonna link him to that set of ram, dont go with that 1600 9-9-9 crap. If you have the money dont waste it on generic sticks.

 

[$ilent]

^Yep, with sandy bridge you want to be buying the highest clocks you can to be able to run stably with the high multipliers of the CPU.

 

[Derp]

Quote:

Originally Posted by nagle3092 I was just gonna link him to that set of ram, dont go with that 1600 9-9-9 crap. If you have the money dont waste it on generic sticks.

Expensive ram with great timings isn't something you want to be dumping money into for a gaming rig.

 

[nagle3092]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Derp Expensive ram with great timings isn't something you want to be dumping money into for a gaming rig.

2133mhz 9-11-9-28 for $70. Why wouldn't you want those over some 1600 9-9-9-28 sticks? It doesn't matter if its for gaming or not, they will still perform better for practically the same price.

These are the sticks.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231449

 

[maple_leafs182]

I don't have a credit card so I try to avoid buying online if I can. This store Memory Express matches any online price from major retailers such as Newegg and Amazon.
Memory Express Website If you were limited to that selection, which Ram would you think is best, my knowledge on ram is minimal.

Thanks for the help guys, I have decided to get the i5 2500K

 

[$ilent]

aye, $70 for what you get isnt expensive at all...

id suggest the Corsair 4gb CL8 dominator, is prob your best bet out of those with the budget you have. There a step down from the g.skill ones, but there not the worst.

 

[Derp]

Quote:

Originally Posted by nagle3092 2133mhz 9-11-9-28 for $70. Why wouldn't you want those over some 1600 9-9-9-28 sticks? It doesn't matter if its for gaming or not, they will still perform better for practically the same price. These are the sticks. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231449

Yes that is a good deal but I wanted to make sure the op understands that the performance difference will be almost unnoticeable. This forum has lots of users that keep telling people to go buy super fast expensive ram for builds the OP stated was mainly for gaming. The Difference between 1333 C7 and 2133 C8 is around 2FPS in most games. This was especially hilarious to watch back when nehalem first came out and DDR3 was very expensive.

 

[nagle3092]

Quote:

Originally Posted by maple_leafs182 I don't have a credit card so I try to avoid buying online if I can. This store Memory Express matches any online price from major retailers such as Newegg and Amazon. Memory Express Website If you were limited to that selection, which Ram would you think is best, my knowledge on ram is minimal. Thanks for the help guys, I have decided to get the i5 2500K

These ridgebacks have better timings than the dominators and $5 cheaper.
http://www.memoryexpress.com/Product...29495(ME).aspx
You could always go to a store and buy a prepaid visa or mastercard and use that to order online though. The ram selection is pretty limited and pricey at that site.

 

[eclsnowman]

Today only microcenter has i7 2600k + Asus P8P67 = 399.99

That would be what I would do.

Sent from my Droid using Tapatalk

 

[maple_leafs182]

Well if I must, I will buy online. It is cheaper to buy the G.Skill on newegg.ca then the Corsair 4gb CL8 dominator or the ridgebacks at the store.

Would you both recommend the G.skill's over the other two.