I’ll likely bring her into the shop tomorrow to get this annoying as F hesitation problem fixed, but I’ll also be getting a new processor. For reasons I won’t get into here, it’s Intel all the way. NewEgg has several in the $100-400 range, such as the i7-875K for $329, the i5-655K for $209, or the earlier series models only a bit more powerful than my current Q6600C Core 2 Quad for $100-160. What technical advantages should I be looking at? Might I need a new motherboard (Lord forbid)? TIA.
The unlocked K-series is amazing, especially the Core i7-875K. You’re going to need a new motherboard for one though or pretty much any worthwhile upgrade. I know a recent techreport article used an i7-875K paired with an Asus P7H57D-V EVO to get ridiculously impressive overclocking results. Many excellent boards exist, unless you want to do a four-way Radeon 5870, which I heartily recommend.
If you’re lucky enough to live in the right part of the US, this chain of stores called Micro Center is loss leadering i7-875Ks for only $200. That’s a deal so good it makes my heart hurt.
I’d jump on the i7-875K if you can find it at that price and then figure out a motherboard later. I had a Gigabyte GA-P55-USB3 on my list for a while, since it was well priced. I don’t know where things stand now.
The Core i5 750 is a tasty quad-core CPU at a tasty price. Though if you can get an 875K for $200 (the same price as the 750), definitely go for that instead.
You’ll need a new mobo, though. LGA1156. I have the DP55WG, though there are a squillion good choices out there.