Recommend a CPU/MB for the rest of my parts

[Rockinacoustic]

Looking for the guts to my new build replacing a ~4 year old PC.

Here's my current Rig:

AMD Phenom X3 720 @3.3GHz on stock volts
Biostart TForce TA790GX 128M
4GB Corsair XMS2 DDR2
Crucial M4 64GB SSD (boot & programs)
Samsung 1TB HD 7200rpm (media)
Sapphire HD 4830 512mb
Antec Earthwatts 430w PSU
Antec 300

Dell u2412m- reusing, and would like to game at 1080p

I mainly use my desktop for office work, 1080p movies, and gaming (mostly GTA IV, Crysis, but would like a CPU that won't bottleneck me in newer titles like Hitman, Crysis and The Far Cry series).

Here are the parts I currently have for my new build:

16GB Crucial Ballistix DDR3 1600 1.35v
Galaxy GTX 660 GC 2GB
Samsung 830 256GB SSD
Samsung 1TB HDD (from current rig)
Seasonic SS-660XP2 80-Plus Platinum PSU
Fractal Define R4

I expect this new build to last me another 4 years without a need to upgrade anything aside from the GPU if newer games warrant it, so there's no need to worry about future CPU compatibility (i.e. LGA 1155 is fine with me)

I have access to Microcenter, but I'd like to keep a CPU/MB combo under $250 with tax, and the lower the better. I'm not a hardcore overclocker but would like a CPU that can be tinkered with on stock volts for now. SLI or X-fire isn't a big deal for a MB.

I've been back and forth on the below CPUs:

AMD FX 6300 for $119
Intel Core-i5 4570 for $159
Intel Core-i5 3570k $189

I think the AMD option represents the best bang for my buck now, but the Intel options would give me the most longevity for a little more $. Of course, I'm open to other options within my price-range.


Thanks in advance!

 

[riversend]

Is there a possibility of returning your 16GB RAM and getting only 8gb to boost your CPU/mobo combo cash? Seems like you are limiting yourself on the wrong end of the longevity equation. If time of use is the most important thing, then I would recommend more CPU than you need now and go for upgrades on RAM later on (and GPU as you mentioned).

Only you can say what reasonable performance is for you, but I would go for the newer processor, at least go with an AMD 8350, and even better the Intel 4670k.

Nice to have the Microcenter around!

 

[Rockinacoustic]

Is there a possibility of returning your 16GB RAM and getting only 8gb to boost your CPU/mobo combo cash? Seems like you are limiting yourself on the wrong end of the longevity equation. If time of use is the most important thing, then I would recommend more CPU than you need now and go for upgrades on RAM later on (and GPU as you mentioned).

Only you can say what reasonable performance is for you, but I would go for the newer processor, at least go with an AMD 8350, and even better the Intel 4670k.

Nice to have the Microcenter around!

Considering I snagged the RAM for ~$76 on sale, and that 8GB sets go for ~$60 I don't think it's worth my while to return it.

I was pretty set on the 3570k when it was $169 at MC but couldn't decide on a MB before the price went up.

Would a 3570k/4670k be worth it paired with a cheaper B75/B85 chipset to fit my budget?

 

[frozentundra123456]

I am very disappointed with the microcenter in my area. They seem to be no longer carrying the 3570k or basically any ivb cpus. The 4570 is a decent price, but all the motherboards are well over 100.00.

I am kicking myself that I did not get a 3570k before haswell came out. Right now the fx6300/mb combo for 125.00 seems compelling at more than 100.00 cheaper than any i5 plus mb although I would have definitely preferred an i5.

 

[mfenn]

It looks like MC has pretty much sold through their 3570K's. The closest you can get to $250 and retain overclockability would be the i5 4670K and MSI Z87-G41 at $270. It actually looks like MC (at least my MC) doesn't have any H87 or B85 motherboards in stock, so that's about the cheapest you can go for an Intel quad.

Below that is the FX-8350 plus MSI 970A-G46 at $220. You do give up a lot of single-threaded performance, but it isn't slow by any means.