Used Haswell CPU advice

Hi there.

I am currently running the two following PCs:

1. My desktop - MSI H67MA-E35 (B3), with 2x4GB Ram, an i3-2105, and running Windows 10

2. My backup server - MSI B85M-E45, with 2x2GB and 2x4GB Ram, G1850 and running Openmedia vault.

I literally use the server for back ups only - i.e. turn it on, run RSnapshot, and turn it off again.

I am currently working at home and have noted that my PC sometimes freezes for a bit - task manages shows 100% CPU usage.

That might be as I sometimes have Kodi running on my computer or Netflix whilst I am connect to my work, remotely.

It then suddenly occurred to me that I should swap the PCs over, which would give me the following benefits for my desktop:

1. The server MOBO supports a USB3 header

2. The server MOBO supports Windows 11

3. Extra 4GB Ram to play with

The only thing I need to do, however, is swap out the G1850 for something a bit better.

What do you think I should go for?

At first, I was hoping to put in a Broadwell CPU (as the MSI B85M-E45 uses the LGA1150 socket).

However, based upon this:

Comptible CPUs

I am a bit gutted to see that the board supports only Haswell and Haswell(Refresh).

I am also hoping that a new CPU will decrease my electricity bills a little - which have certainly increased whilst I have been working from home.

Thanks very much.

Thanks for that.

Apologies - my earlier post was a bit vauge.

I was just wondering whether an increase from an i3-2105 to an i5 Haswell CPU (which I have found for only £10.00) would be worth the effort and also not increase my energy footprint too much.

The i3-2105 has a TDP of 65w, whereas the i5 Haswell chips have a TDP of 85w - I know, however, that TDP is not strictly a good indicator of energy use.