Processor difference? - Hardware & Software

I'm upgrading my processor and had a question. If I upgrade to the Intel Core 2 Quad Q8200 (clocked at 2.33GHz) and put in a GTX 750ti, will I be able to run games such as Fable Anniversary, Fallout: NV, Borderlands 2 on lowest/normal settings on a 1280 x 720 resolution? I have the choice wether to upgrade to that intel processor, or upgrade my motherboard to this [url]http://www.amazon.com/Asus-Micro-DDR3-Motherboard-A55M-E/dp/B00E6IO7F6/[/url] and use the AMD A8-5500 Trinity Quad-Core 3.2GHz (3.7GHz Turbo) processor from my brother's computer. Anyways, should I upgrade to the Intel processor, or upgrade my mobo and get the AMD processor? I am not entirely sure of the technical specifications of both processors therefore I am unaware of which one will provide better performance.

I'm a little confused. Are your choices: put in a new processor and a 750ti -------------or------------- buy a mobo and use an existing processor, without using the gpu? because that seems like an odd comparison to me. Anyways, between those two, the AMD chip is definitely a better processor.

From what I've seen on a quick search, the A8 5500 is better than the Core 2 Q8200. [editline]ashudkas[/editline] But only by a small difference.

[QUOTE=Daemon White;46296580]From what I've seen on a quick search, the A8 5500 is better than the Core 2 Q8200. [editline]ashudkas[/editline] But only by a small difference.[/QUOTE] That's basically what I was looking for. And yes, they would both include the 750ti. Anyways, thank you.

Just be aware that either way you go, you are effectively at the end of the line for upgrades with either of those options. To go notably further, you will need to get a new CPU and a new mobo.

[QUOTE=Zephyrs;46296923]Just be aware that either way you go, you are effectively at the end of the line for upgrades with either of those options. To go notably further, you will need to get a new CPU and a new mobo.[/QUOTE] Will keep that in mind, thanks. And yeah, this is my first computer.

[QUOTE=Zephyrs;46296557]because that seems like an odd comparison to me. Anyways, between those two, the AMD chip is definitely a better processor.[/QUOTE] No it isn't. The only thing the A8-5500 has over the Q8200 is slightly more memory bandwidth, some newer instruction sets and the IGP. The performance difference is going to be almost unnoticeable unless you're running applications that use heavy memory bandwidth or make exclusive use of the newer instruction sets like SSE4 or AVX. Going from a Q8200 to an A8-5500 isn't an upgrade, it's mostly the same and pretty much a waste of money. Money would be better utilized getting a newer Intel CPU and motherboard.

But he isn't going [B][I]from[/I][/B] one to the other, he's going to [B][I]get[/I][/B] one or the other.

Exactly, and if I had to choose one or the other, I'd choose that AMD chip, over that Intel chip. Benches say it scores slightly higher across almost everything. Sure, he would be far better off getting a shiny new haswell, and a motherboard to go with it. That would cost 200-400 dollars. This costs like 70. I'd wager he's on a pretty tight budget. Oh, and one other thing OP. do note that when you swap this stuff you, your windows installation is probably going to explode. Back up stuff, and prepare to be forced to reinstall. Windows does NOT like swapping motherboard chipsets.

If you have an [URL="http://www.overclock.net/t/1431723/mod-lga775-support-for-lga771-xeon-cpus"]LGA775-771 moddable motherboard[/URL] and a steady hand with an exacto knife, then get a Xeon (X5450, etc) off the e-bays and install that instead. They're equivalent to the tippy-top highest end of the C2Q processors. (A X5450 found for $25-29 + a [URL="http://www.ebay.com/itm/Intel-CPU-Socket-LGA-771-775-Adapter-Mod-Sticker-Upgrade-Core2-to-Xeon-Quad-/111429518889?pt=CPUs&hash=item19f1b78629"]$3 modsticker[/URL] is equivalent to a Q9650 found for 100) Way cheap and works well compared to spending $160 on an AMD proc / mobo (before deals). They also overclock well with the right motherboard - I ran one as a server / HTPC with an R9 270 for a little bit and got hella framerates in most games.

To be honest, both CPU's suck. What is your budget and what parts do you already have? We can help you find something better.

[QUOTE=taipan;46301229]To be honest, both CPU's suck. What is your budget and what parts do you already have? We can help you find something better.[/QUOTE] Budget is ~$100 I don't mind using used parts, not really a big deal to me. I currently have the MSI G31TM-P21 Motherboard with an Intel Core 2 Duo E4500 @ 2.2GHz processor. Problem with my motherboard is the socket type, and I would have to buy preferably this ([url]http://www.amazon.com/Asus-Micro-DDR3-Motherboard-A55M-E/dp/B00E6IO7F6[/url]) motherboard to use the AMD cpu, which is used. Yet again, not a big deal to me as I am not upgrading to something like an i7. I found this compatibility upgrade list, maybe this will help. [url]http://www.cpu-upgrade.com/mb-MSI/G31TM-P21.html[/url]

I think you're forgetting that you also need to buy new RAM with the AMD board because it requires DDR3 and you have DDR2. That is unless you already have some lying around. If it were me, I'd just grab an E8400 for $20-25 on Ebay, then save the rest to put towards a much better newer build later. The E8400 is ~57% faster (performance wise) than the E4500, you'll definitely notice the difference. You could risk the LGA771 to 775 mod, but it's not guaranteed to work and using an exacto knife on a motherboard is always precarious. But if you must have the AMD build, there are cheaper motherboards: [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130762[/url] (better choice) [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813135378[/url] (cheapest) RAM: [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148539[/url]

I agree with Gigabites recommendation if you're not willing to do the 771 mod. Your chipset usually handles it no problem, and you can get a quad core 3.0ghz Xeon which overclocks quite well for around 30-40 bucks plus 3 for the adapter.

Your current motherboard should be [URL="http://www.ubuntulinuxguide.com/os-x-10-9-1-mavericks-x5450-lga-771-to-lga-775/"]fully compatible with the LGA775-771 mod[/URL], for reference. The cutting away the notches near the CPU pins does seem a bit precarious at first but if you take your time, use a new exacto knife and just let the knife do its work it's not hard at all. That being said, it does require getting a little up and personal so if you'd rather not, what Gigabite recommends should be well enough.

[QUOTE=GiGaBiTe;46309352]I think you're forgetting that you also need to buy new RAM with the AMD board because it requires DDR3 and you have DDR2. That is unless you already have some lying around. If it were me, I'd just grab an E8400 for $20-25 on Ebay, then save the rest to put towards a much better newer build later. The E8400 is ~57% faster (performance wise) than the E4500, you'll definitely notice the difference. You could risk the LGA771 to 775 mod, but it's not guaranteed to work and using an exacto knife on a motherboard is always precarious. But if you must have the AMD build, there are cheaper motherboards: [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130762[/url] (better choice) [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813135378[/url] (cheapest) RAM: [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148539[/url][/QUOTE] I'll get the E8400 for now. Thanks guys. Well, the processor came in the mail today. Set it all up, and it's working like a charm. Performance is better, gained about 50 more frames in CSGO which I wished for.