Yesterday, several readers shared their thoughts on the article about building a PC with a budget of up to 2,500 yuan. Many mentioned they were using older computers and wanted to know how they could upgrade their existing hardware. In response, I’ve put together a guide to help identify processor upgrades over the last decade. For those who commented, thanks for your feedback!
First off, let me clarify a mistake from my previous post. A reader pointed out that the memory type in the initial configuration should have been DDR4 instead of DDR3. This oversight added about 20 yuan to the overall cost. Apologies for the confusion!
To determine which processor you can upgrade to, start by checking your CPU-Z software. Regardless of whether you're dealing with the first-generation processors, their unique core codes make it easy to identify which generation they belong to. By comparing these codes with the list provided below, you'll quickly find out which processors are compatible with your motherboard.
Switching to the "Mainboard" tab in CPU-Z will also show you details about your motherboard's chipset. This information is crucial when considering an upgrade path.
Let’s break down some common socket types:
**LGA1156**: Intel Core Processors
Includes Core i3 5XX, i5 6XX/7XX, i7 8XX series processors
Core Code: Lynnfield (first-generation Core microarchitecture)
Compatible Motherboards: 5-series chipsets like H55, H57, P55
Upgrade Suggestion: On an LGA1155 motherboard, you can max out at i7 870. Be mindful that this processor consumes quite a bit of power—ensure your cooler is adequate. These used parts typically sell for 500–600 yuan.
**LGA1155**: Intel Second-Generation and Third-Generation Core Processors
Includes Core i3, i5, i7 2XXX, 3XXX series processors
Core Codes: Ivy Bridge (2nd gen), Sandy Bridge (3rd gen)
Compatible Motherboards: 6-series and 7-series chipsets like H61, H67, P67
Upgrade Suggestion: The second-gen processors remain a solid choice. Many gamers still use overclocked i5 2500Ks. Personally, I think the i7 2600K offers great value at around 900 yuan, 200 yuan less than the i7 2700K, and it’s fully overclockable. Meanwhile, the i7 3770K, a third-gen processor, costs nearly 1,000 yuan and doesn’t offer significantly better performance than the 2600K. So, it might not be worth the extra expense.
**LGA1150**: Intel Fourth-Generation and Fifth-Generation Core Processors
Includes Core i3, i5, i7 4XXX/5XXX processors
Core Codes: Haswell, Haswell-Refresh (4th gen), Broadwell (5th gen)
Compatible Motherboards: 8-series and 9-series chipsets like H81, B85, H87, Z87, H97, Z97
Upgrade Suggestion: Upgrading on an LGA1150 motherboard offers many options. However, note that fifth-generation processors only include the i5 5675C and i7 5775C, both of which are pricey and don’t provide much of a performance boost. Most users with Pentium G3XXX or i3 4XXX processors would benefit most from upgrading to an i5 4590, priced around 900 yuan. If you’re looking for even more performance, consider the 4770K, which is also overclockable and costs between 1,200 and 1,400 yuan. The 4790K isn’t particularly recommended since its performance gains over the 4770K are marginal for the price difference.
**LGA1151**: Intel Sixth- and Seventh-Generation Core Processors
Includes Core i3, i5, i7 6XXX/7XXX processors, Pentium G4560, G4600, G4620 processors, Celeron G3950, G3930 processors
Core Codes: Skylake (6th gen), Kaby Lake (7th gen)
Compatible Motherboards: 100-series and 200-series chipsets like H110, B150, H170, Z170, H270, B250, Z270
Upgrade Suggestion: For users still on LGA1151 sockets, especially those with Pentium or Celeron systems, there are plenty of affordable upgrade paths. Consider moving to a Pentium G4560 or G4620, which leverage Hyper-Threading technology for significant performance gains. These upgrades cost just a few hundred dollars and are highly cost-effective. Just ensure your motherboard BIOS is updated before installing the new processor. If you have more to spend, upgrading to an i5 7XXX processor provides a substantial performance leap.
One thing many of you may have noticed is that I didn’t cover AM3, AM3+, AM2, and AM2+ platforms. This is because upgrading within these platforms often yields minimal benefits. Even upgrading to higher-end "Bulldozer" series processors won't deliver a satisfying performance-to-price ratio. Instead, it's usually better to build a new system. These platforms can get confusing—AM3 processors work on AM3+ motherboards, but not vice versa, and AM2+ supports backward compatibility with various multi-core processors while AM2 is limited to dual-core. It’s a mess!
Lastly, avoid purchasing ES (engineering sample) processors unless you fully understand the differences between them and retail versions. ES samples can sometimes offer great value, but they require careful differentiation. Let me know if you have any additional questions or suggestions—I’d love to hear from you all in the comments section!
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