Looking to upgrade CPU to i7

J

jordietx

New Member
My current computer:
Processor: Intel Pentium G620 @ 2.60 GHz
RAM: 2 x 4GB
Motherboard: Intel DH61WW (socket - LGA 1155)
Graphics Card: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 550 Ti

I am looking to upgrade my processor, as I think that's the part that needs to be upgraded most, to an Intel Core i7-3770. My knowledge in computer parts is not too advanced, and so I would like any opinions and suggestions on the build (including the other components).

I use my computer mostly for college work along with gaming (Diablo 3, Starcraft 2, Sims 3). While playing Diablo 3, the FPS has been pretty low and I'd really like to improve that - will upgrading the processor do the trick? I am not looking to have anything top-of-the-line, absurdly expensive... preferably around the i7 3770's price tag of ~$300 - whatever is the best bang for the buck.

If any other information is needed, let me know and I'll do my best to provide it. Thanks!
 
personally I would upgrade to an i5, not to waste money

Sell off both the old cpu and gpu and buy a new gpu.

The 550ti is getting old, and it wasn't great when it came out.

I can't remember but I think I heard a while back that D3 was pretty intensive?
 
I would go for the cheaper & unlocked i5 3570k that way at a later date you could upgrade your motherboard and overclock to get extra power, you could then use what save on the 3770 together with what you sell your current cpu and gpu for and get a new graphics card.
 
Go 3570K and get something like a 7850 or 7870 to replace your 550 Ti if you can.

If you can't afford a 3570K a new card, get an i3 and one of those cards.
 
His motherboard won't support overclocking, so I would suggest a cheaper CPU.
Like the i5-3330 or an i3 perhaps.
Diablo 3 isn't that intensive to be honest, this PC can pretty much max it out w/o AA @ 1080p:
  • Intel Core 2 Duo E7200 2.53GHz
  • Crucial 2x2GB DDR2 667MHz
  • AMD HD 5770 1GB
 
Thank you for the replies!
Okedokey said:
For gaming I would spend your money on a graphics card not the CPU. What PSU do you have?
Click to expand...
I took a picture of it and uploaded it: http://tinypic.com/r/339t7p2/5
It's a TurboLink, model: ATX-CW420W, 12V.


I think I will go ahead and get an i5 - I have asked a few other people and they have said the same thing: the only big difference between that and the i7 is hyper-threading and I don't really have any use for that. As for the 3570K... I don't know how to overclock, so I doubt I'll ever do that... but if it's cheaper than the normal 3570 one with no other difference, I may get it anyways.

Thanks for the suggestion on upgrading the GPU. I am now considering going to either the Asus GeForce GTX 650 Ti or Asus GeForce GTX 660 (both 2 GB)... I was told that the 660 was a lot better than the 650 Ti and definitely worth the ~$100 price jump - is this true? And finally, I also had the MSi Radeon 7790 (1 GB) recommended to me and was told it was on par w/ the 650 Ti - is this correct, and if not then which is better? I'm pretty sure all 3 are compatible with my motherboard.

Really appreciate all the help!
 
Sorry to burst your bubble mate but you will also need to upgrade your PSU. Its basic ATX design standard means that one of its 14A (max) 12V rails is dedicated to the CPU leaving only 14A (max) on the other rail available to the GPU and other 12V requirements. Insufficient. It also doesn't have a PCIe power connector which is required.

You will need to upgrade your PSU before getting any other GPU.

If you want to spend around $300, keep your current CPU (most games don't need more than 2 cores) and get this:

Corsair 430W PSU - $30

HD 7950 - $250

Awesome setup - $290 bucks, safe PSU, great GPU. Play almost any game at max. CPU is low end but fine for most games - upgrade it later if necesary. GPU will be more useful in gaming.

If you need a new CPU at that point (only after trying the GPU upgrade) - sell the Pentium CPU, and 550Ti and buy a 2500K/3750K. Job done.
 
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Okedokey said:
You will need to upgrade your PSU before getting any other GPU.

If you want to spend around $300, keep your current CPU (most games don't need more than 2 cores) and get this:

Corsair 430W PSU - $30

HD 7950 - $250

Awesome setup - $290 bucks, safe PSU, great GPU. Play almost any game at max. CPU is low end but fine for most games - upgrade it later if necesary. GPU will be more useful in gaming.
Click to expand...

Don't get the CX430. It only has 1x 6-pin power connecter. Get at least CX500 or 600, also because the HD 7950 is a high end card. (500 or 600w is plenty)
 
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