CPU Upgrade

C

Conner

New Member
Hey all! I am currently using an i5-2500k processor and I'm in the market looking to upgrade. Not being computer savvy and knowing that different processors are best for different things, what processor would be a good upgrade for gaming with a price range of $150-$200.
 
The cpu socket you are using is already 2 generations old so any new processor out today, won't work in your motherboard. Without upgrading your motherboard and ram you are limited to say an I7 3770k but you'll have to find one used as some places still sell them for about $500 on amazon. I really wouldn't spend any more money on this platform. What are you using your system for that you think you need more cpu power? What are the rest of your system specs? Ram and video card?
 
If you are having issues playing games then it looks like you'll need to upgrade the video card. It says you have the r7 250 I think, which is pretty low end.
 
And here I am thinking that is somewhat better (better than my older one anyway). That being said, what would you suggest for playing some of the more modern games like DOOM and what not, if it's not too much to ask?
 
At the moment, I'm not looking at getting other games for my PC as I know I will need to dump some cash into it to get it to today's standards of quality, and since I was recently laid off; that's not happening. I'll have to get back to you on the power supply since I will need to open my desktop. I'll post again once I have the info, thanks for the help.
 
Make sure you have a decent power supply then:

Upgrade RAM to 16GB
Get an SSD to use as your boot drive
Get an RX470/480 or GTX 1050Ti/1060
Overclock your CPU (you will need an aftermarket cooler)
 
Agreed with sprinkles. Just boost the ram and get a card, should be good. That's not a horrible CPU.
 
johnb35 said:
The cpu socket you are using is already 2 generations old so any new processor out today, won't work in your motherboard. Without upgrading your motherboard and ram you are limited to say an I7 3770k but you'll have to find one used as some places still sell them for about $500 on amazon.
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Different socket.
 
Technically the Z68X-UD3H-B3 is a LGA 1155 and the 3770K is a fclga1155 CPU, meaning without ensuring the BIOS is F12 or later it will not work.
 
Okedokey said:
Technically the Z68X-UD3H-B3 is a LGA 1155 and the 3770K is a fclga1155 CPU, meaning without ensuring the BIOS is F12 or later it will not work.
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That's not why it requires a BIOS update. It requires a BIOS update because the Z68 was released before the 3770k was a thing. It needs a bios update so the motherboard can recognize the new processors released by Intel that are using the same socket.

It's the exact reason why the Z170 chipset mobos need a bios update to support the upcoming Kaby Lake processors.
 
Intel_man said:
That's not why it requires a BIOS update. It requires a BIOS update because the Z68 was released before the 3770k was a thing. It needs a bios update so the motherboard can recognize the new processors released by Intel that are using the same socket.

It's the exact reason why the Z170 chipset mobos need a bios update to support the upcoming Kaby Lake processors.
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Can verify, simialrly I have an Ivy Bridge G1620 that didn't POST on my P8P67 Deluxe until swapping out the BIOS chip with the appropriate, supported image.
 
The point is, the 2500K, overclocked, and with sufficient RAM and a decent GPU (and an SSD if possible) still makes for a decent gaming machine. Upgrading sandy>ivy makes little sense. If he wanted to upgrade to RYZEN or Kaby Lake, that would be a different story, but then he needs a new CPU/board/RAM and that's pretty expensive, and still doesn't address him needing a new GPU.

I would just do what I suggested in my original post. Get a decent aftermarket heatsink if you don't have one already and overclock that CPU.
 
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