[FaxFan2002]

Currently have a i3-530 installed and I'm looking for bit more umph - often get warnings that CPU is maxed out - online gaming, backing up dvd's etc. Current spec is -

i3-530 2.93ghz - stable overclock to 4.2ghz
4GB DDR3
ATI 6970 (running 3x23" monitors - sammy md230x3)
OS & Apps on SSD

Looking at upgrading to a i5-650 3.2ghz, I assume I'll be able to overclock to a degree obviously the quad core will help as well - good move / bad move?

[LJx]

I would say bad move because it is two generations old and you can get much better performance from ivybridge / Sandy Bridge processors, you would just need a new motherboard

[FaxFan2002]

OK, but that would mean a motherboard and cpu upgrade... limited funds

[ChileanLlama]

You're looking at about £120 for that CPU. Will your motherboard support it?

A quad core will be harder to overclock, more cores=more heat. Also will your software actually make use of the additional cores, if it won't then there's not much point.

As LJx says moving to a more modern platform would see a bigger increase, but as a stopgap it might make sense.

[FaxFan2002]

I've checked and the motherboard will support it, yes. Thanks for the advice guys.

[EndlessWaves]

Originally Posted by FaxFan2002

Currently have a i3-530 installed and I'm looking for bit more umph - often get warnings that CPU is maxed out

That sounds odd, what's giving you the warnings?

All CPUs will operate at maximum on things like games that are set up to use everything that's available, don't expect the i5 to hover at 90% during games, that'll be at 100% too.

Only things with a fixed amount of work to do in each time interval (e.g. playing back a pre-recorded video) are going to use less than 100%.

I wouldn't bother with the upgrade personally, the difference between the two processors isn't much, 10% or so: Giant roundup: 168 Intel and AMD processors! (page 14: Average) - BeHardware