CPU performance

How do I get the most performance from my CPU?

First, what is better for performance, a AMD FX-4130 Quad-Core

or a

Intel Core i7-3930K @ 3.20GHz


I don't do much online, I might start playing WoW, but currently I play chess, bank, Facebook, read sites like this forum about health, etc..

but I recently added a screen, so now I finally have 2 screens, so if I wanted to watch netflix and run other sites on the other screen, should I upgrade my CPU?

Currently, Im running MS windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit SP1
AMD FX-4130 Quad-Core processor, 8GB RAM, AMD 760G

 

The i7 is better, hands down.

For what you do, however, either would be fine. i7 is more for developers and those who need the extra computing power for compiling, encoding, etc.

If you need more video performance, upgrade the video card. It would be more bang for your buck.

 

Hello,

An i7-3930K is definitely much better but the things you mentioned would even run well on an i5 so you might wanna consider (unless you want to spend that much).

For multiple monitors you'll want to think more about your graphics card.

Also in response on best CPU performance, I assume you'll want to overclock. Since you mentioned a 3930K I guess you're running an Ivy bridge system, an i5 3570k is a great CPU much cheaper and overclocks really well.

Do you do any high end gaming?

 

One of the best (and cost effective) ways to get the most performance out of our CPUs is to make sure they have lots of RAM to play and work in. 8Gb is often considered the "sweet spot" today with dual-channel memory motherboards. Less than 8 and performance suffers, more than 8 and performance gains are marginal. This means the performances gains from 4Gb to 8Gb is much greater than the gains you will see going from 8Gb to 12Gb or to 16Gb. But there would be gains.

It really does not take a lot of graphics horsepower to run with two monitors versus just one. This is because there is very little "more" happening. It is just spread out.

You did not say what you have for graphics now, but if integrated or entry level, I sure would upgrade the graphics before the CPU - with a card with at least 1G of graphics RAM. If you already have a decent graphics card, I would consider bumping up the RAM.

Also, understand if you currently have the AMD FX-4130, to switch to an i7 would require a new motherboard. And using a different motherboard would most likely require a new Windows license too (since the vast majority of Windows licenses are OEM/System Builders licenses, which are NOT transferable to new computers (or new motherboards).

So switching from an AMD CPU to an Intel CPU would be an expensive undertaking.

Finally, I am assuming you are asking simply because you want to improve performance, and NOT because it is running slower than it used to. Running slower than it used to indicates a problem that needs to be corrected, and not a need to buy faster hardware.

 

If you mean like WoW, no, not yet and very unlikely in the future. My brother wants me in his team, but I'm not likely to do that.


My Device manager-->Display Adapters-->AMD 760G(mirosoft WDDM 1.1)

 

A 760G is probably not even good enough to run WoW and if it does it will probably run on the lowest settings. Keep in mind WoW may have been released in 2005 true but it has gone through a lot of updates through the years and needs a much stronger PC than it used to. That being said if you were to install a stronger graphics card it would help.

Also take into consideration what Digerati said regarding a new CPU, you'll end up spending much more than that.

Your Ram is fine, 8GB is well and good for most of today's stuff. When I mentioned high end gaming I was referring to such games like Battlefield 3/4, The new Assassin's Creed IV game, Metro 2033 / Last Ligh and the likes.

If you're not into such games I see no reason why to spend so much on a CPU, unless you're a programmer. Most games today don't even make full use of a 3930K's power, they rely more on the graphics card.


If all you wish is a non gaming upgrade I'd suggest an i5 CPU and a basic 1GB Ram graphics card.

 

It is important to note the game makers know most players cannot afford high-end gaming machines with monster graphics solutions. While they may code their games to take advantage of the latest and most powerful hardware, they also code their games to provide good "game play" on lessor systems - even notebooks with near entry-level integrated graphics. You just will not have all the great extras like super detailed backgrounds, extra "objects" or other "enhancements".