.Upgrading the CPU on a Desktop

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   Hello,
I am using Win7 ulti on an ASRock B85M(CPUSocket) with an i5Haswell 4560,
Chipset Vendor: Intel, Chipset Model: Haswell, Chipset Revision: 06

The computer is 5 or 6 years old works finde, with a NVidia GeForce GT 630. I am NOT a gamer.
I download a lot, stream sports and occasionally convert a video.

I am thinking of getting a newer, faster i5 CPU.

For my needs, what CPU will make sense if I keep the B85M. Or should I replace both... if you suggest that, please, with what...

I am looking forward to your ideas
Thank you everybody, Ross

Edited by ASRock_TSD - 10 Dec 2019 at 3:25pm

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rossdorn Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 13 Jun 2015 Status: Offline Points: 29	Post Options Post Reply Quote rossdorn Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: .Upgrading the CPU on a Desktop Posted: 08 Dec 2019 at 12:23pm
	Hello, I am using Win7 ulti on an ASRock B85M(CPUSocket) with an i5Haswell 4560, Chipset Vendor: Intel, Chipset Model: Haswell, Chipset Revision: 06 The computer is 5 or 6 years old works finde, with a NVidia GeForce GT 630. I am NOT a gamer. I download a lot, stream sports and occasionally convert a video. I am thinking of getting a newer, faster i5 CPU. For my needs, what CPU will make sense if I keep the B85M. Or should I replace both... if you suggest that, please, with what... I am looking forward to your ideas Thank you everybody, Ross Edited by ASRock_TSD - 10 Dec 2019 at 3:25pm

Xaltar Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Moderator Group Joined: 16 May 2015 Location: Europe Status: Offline Points: 25028	Post Options Post Reply Quote Xaltar Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 08 Dec 2019 at 4:10pm
	Hi Rossdorn. The answer depends entirely on budget and purpose. On a tight budget I would just stick with what you have CPU and board wise. The Haswell i5 4560 is still a very capable CPU and should be more than adequate for the use you described. You are more likely being held back by other elements of your system, most notably, RAM and storage. If you do not already have an SSD I would pick one up they are dirt cheap these days and a 120gb SSD to run your OS and programs from will make a huge difference to how snappy and responsive your system feels. Likewise, if you are using less than 8gb of RAM then pick up a decent 8gb DDR3 kit (2x4gb) and replace what you have with it. You could technically just pick up an extra 4gb module and install that with whatever you have installed but better to use a matched pair. Again, budget dependent. So in a nutshell, get an SSD (if you don't have one already) and make sure you have at least 8gb of RAM (adequate for non gaming applications). 16gb would be good too if it's in your budget and be better for video conversion etc but not critical. Now if you are just looking to upgrade in general then your best bet would be a complete upgrade. The cost of Haswell CPUs has not come down enough yet to be worth the upgrade. For a similar price to a Haswell i7 (the only upgrade that makes sense in your situation) you can pick up something like a Ryzen 5 1600 and a cheap AB350 motherboard, you would then need to pick up a DDR4 RAM kit which would put the cost up a bit but it would be worth it. Again however, make sure you have at least 8gb of RAM and an SSD or you will not see the full benefit of the system.


rossdorn Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 13 Jun 2015 Status: Offline Points: 29	Post Options Post Reply Quote rossdorn Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 09 Dec 2019 at 4:12am
	Thank you very much for your extensive answer. First of all, I have two SSDs installed. I started out with an 250 when they were still quite expensive and an added a 500 2 Years ago. And I also have 8GB ram, as I do not game, I believe 8 should be enough for my purpose. Am I wrong there? When I though through answer I came to a conclusion, that the simplest idea, other than getting everything new, might be to just upgrade to an i7....? Would a Haswell be the simplest to add? Is that possible with my: ASRock B85M(CPUSocket) with an i5Haswell 4560, Chipset Vendor: Intel, Chipset Model: Haswell, Chipset Revision: 06 What will I have to change? If you wonder why all these questions... I am 72 and computers were not around when I grew up. I was almost 50, when we used "ring up modems"... So, thanks again.

rossdorn Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 13 Jun 2015 Status: Offline Points: 29	Post Options Post Reply Quote rossdorn Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 09 Dec 2019 at 4:19am
	After just making a quick check, there seen to be only used ones for sale... Is a used an acceptable option ???

Xaltar Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Moderator Group Joined: 16 May 2015 Location: Europe Status: Offline Points: 25028	Post Options Post Reply Quote Xaltar Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 09 Dec 2019 at 7:19am
	If you can get a used Haswell i7 for a decent price then it would be a reasonable upgrade for you. With 8gb of RAM and SSD storage your system should be more than up to the tasks you use the system for. A Haswell i7 is a drop in replacement for your current CPU, just be sure whatever i7 you pick up is compatible with your BIOS version, newer "Devil's Canyon" i7s may require a BIOS update before you can use them. The 4790 and 4790k are both designated "Devil's Canyon" as are the i5 4690 and i5 4690k. Your motherboard's web page on the ASRock website will have compatibility lists and BIOS updates available. https://www.asrock.com/mb/Intel/B85M/index.asp#CPU As you can see, the 4X90/k CPUs all require BIOS version 2.20 or higher. Your board is a B85 chipset board so don't waste your money on "K" CPUs unless they cost the same or less than the non K variants. The "K" simply denotes overclockable but this requires a Z87 or Z97 chipset so it would be wasted on a non overclocking board like yours. That said, if the price is reasonable, the K versions are typically clocked higher. You can also check out the Xeon CPUs your board supports. Any 4 core 8 thread Xeon will perform more or less on par with an i7 of the same generation. Just be sure to get the right version, in this case "v3". v2, v4 and v5 will not work on your board.


rossdorn Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 13 Jun 2015 Status: Offline Points: 29	Post Options Post Reply Quote rossdorn Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 09 Dec 2019 at 8:54am
	Thank you very much for your detailed answer. I really appreciate this. One thing I seem to misunderstand. You start with "...a used Haswell i7 for a decent price then it would be a reasonable upgrade for you.", but then "A Haswell i7 is a drop in replacement for your current CPU" What do you mean by "drop"?

rossdorn Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 13 Jun 2015 Status: Offline Points: 29	Post Options Post Reply Quote rossdorn Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 09 Dec 2019 at 8:56am
	So basically I am looking for i7 4770 ???

rossdorn Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 13 Jun 2015 Status: Offline Points: 29	Post Options Post Reply Quote rossdorn Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 09 Dec 2019 at 9:09am
	I just did a first fast check and I came up with this one for about $140 Intel Core i7-4770 Processor (8M Cache, up to 3.90GHz) ??Used CPU bulk product specifications ??Product category Used product Processor name Intel Core i7-4770 Core number 4 cores Number of threads 8 threads Operating frequency 3.4GHz (TBT time: 3.9) GHz) Compatible socket FCLGA1150 Memory type DDR3 and DDR3L 1333/1600 at 1.5V Should this be suitable...? My BIOS is American Megatrends Inc. Version P2.60Date 17.12.2015 The replacement is simple and straight forward? Or what else will I have to know? It would use 85W, where can I check my desktop for that?

Xaltar Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Moderator Group Joined: 16 May 2015 Location: Europe Status: Offline Points: 25028	Post Options Post Reply Quote Xaltar Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 09 Dec 2019 at 1:41pm
	That will work absolutely fine yes. Drop in replacement = remove current CPU, insert new one with no need to change or upgrade anything else Bare in mind that you will not notice any performance improvement in day to day tasks like browsing and watching videos etc. Where you will see it is in encoding and other thread heavy tasks. Like I said, for what you are doing with the system the i5 you have is still a very decent CPU. Upgrading can be fun however and simply upgrading the CPU is relatively simple and painless. If you are not sure exactly how to do it, look for a good tutorial on youtube Edited by Xaltar - 09 Dec 2019 at 2:06pm


rossdorn Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 13 Jun 2015 Status: Offline Points: 29	Post Options Post Reply Quote rossdorn Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 10 Dec 2019 at 4:04am
	Thank you once again. Normally people are willing to help, but have problems coming across and answering the question that was actually asked..... So this was a good experience. And yes, there are small "poblems" when converting videos to audio... One final quickie: The ASRock B85M is that low end? What would an upgrade do?