Motherboard and CPU Rec's

[BananaMann]

So i'm looking to buy a new CPU and motherboard, i brought a gtx 660 OC and it was bottle-necked by my CPU( AMD athlon 651k ). I have about £200 to spend on both components together and can go a little over if really necessary but i'd really rather stay under my budget if possible. i mainly play MMO'S like WoW, Netherwinter, Diablo and Guildwars which can be CPU intensive so i'd like something that could handle these.
My Specs at the moment not including my CPU and mobo are -

GTX 660 2GB (OC)
8 GB DDD3 corsair low profile ram
Windows 7 64bit
500watt PSU ( i'll probably upgrade in the near future but hopefully i can away with 500watts for now)

Thanks

 

[linnemeyerhere]

What's your current mobo make and model. How much does an i5 3570k run where you are? That will give me a reference point for what's left for a mobo.

 

[BananaMann]

Gigabyte GA-A55M-S2V

 

[BananaMann]

And I think this?

Intel Core i5-3570K Quad Core 3.4GHz LGA1155 HD 4000 6MB Cache 77W CPU Processor 0675900010451 | eBay

 

[linnemeyerhere]

Here you go....I think Intel is out at your budget.

MSI 990FXA-GD65 AMD 990FX Socket AM3+ Motherboard - Scan.co.uk

AMD FX 6350 Unlocked Six Core Processor Socket AM3+ - FD6350FRHKBOX - Scan.co.uk


This will pick up the pace for you !

 

[linnemeyerhere]

Or go 8 cores and push budget some?

AMD FX 8320 Black Edition 8 Core Processor Socket AM3+ - FD8320FRHKBOX - Scan.co.uk

 

[BananaMann]

How much more would I need to get the i5?

And would those suggested work well witht my 660 graphics card and other current components? And would it really give me a good speed of gaming?My fps used to drop loads when in a battle on a game but with nothing around it used to be high. So I assume the current cpu is bottlenecking me.

 

[linnemeyerhere]

Intel solution:

Intel CPU i5-4670K 3.4GHz Socket 1150 Quad Core Haswell Retail with Heat Sink Fan - BX80646I54670K - Scan.co.uk

MSI Z87-G43 GAMING Intel Z87 Socket 1150 Motherboard with Killer Ethernet - Scan.co.uk

 

[linnemeyerhere]

How much more would I need to get the i5?

And would those suggested work well witht my 660 graphics card and other current components? And would it really give me a good speed of gaming?My fps used to drop loads when in a battle on a game but with nothing around it used to be high. So I assume the current cpu is bottlenecking me.

The AMD solution would rock your world but the i5 is better but it's Haswell and if you ever get into overclocking then it's a dog vs the AMD which is a mad dog ! Better PSU needed for sure for the OC.....stage 2 of the upgrades.

 

[BananaMann]

So in your opinion would you go for the AMD Eight core and the MSi board? Would that really fix my fps issues?

 

[linnemeyerhere]

Won't hurt them ! Yes I would think it could be the smartest direction short of getting a good Intel mobo and then stuggling with a i3 CPU till you can go i7 and sell off the i3 for what ever it brings.

 

[linnemeyerhere]

Haswell solution:

ASRock Z87 EXTREME4 Intel Z87 Socket 1150 Motherboard - Scan.co.uk

Intel CPU i3-4340 3.6GHz Socket 1150 Dual Core Haswell Retail with Heat Sink Fan - BX80646I34340 - Scan.co.uk

 

[BananaMann]

Ok and going with the AMD solution, what PSU would I need to power my components? Just a budget that will operate them well.

 

[linnemeyerhere]

I like MSi but I've built off the ASRock and it's bad ass as well. Of course ASUS is great but it commands a premium and when trying to stretch your money it helps having the other choices....

 

[linnemeyerhere]

What PSU are you running now?

 

[BananaMann]

500watt PSU

 

[linnemeyerhere]

I think you could be ok for now with a good 500 w. Stage 2 then look to upgrade to Seasonic, Corsair, XFX, Antec or EVGA and I would look for 650-850 in a gold rating.

 

[BananaMann]

Well basically I just want to be able to play games smoothly and no fps drops just because theres a lot of people around me. Still the AMD Solution?

 

[BananaMann]

This wouldnt be a good build?

MSI Z87-G43 GAMING Intel Z87 Socket 1150 Motherboard with Killer Ethernet - Scan.co.uk

AMD FX 8320 Black Edition 8 Core Processor Socket AM3+ - FD8320FRHKBOX - Scan.co.uk

 

[linnemeyerhere]

That's your call. If yo have only around 200 to spend you won't be disapointed with that mobo and 8 core. If you want to have a Intel then you need to step into a quality mobo and then go cheap with the i3 then jump later with a PSU and i5 or i7 and it's still Haswell and it's on it's way out for the new Z97 mobo's and revised chips due soon.