Best processor/GPU for gaming while running FRAPS

nightowl99 · Jul 9, 2013

Please forgive me if this question has already been asked somewhere in this forum, but I'm looking to build a gaming system for my son. He primarily plays Minecraft and FRAPS and so I need something that will produce a good FPS rate. Of course there is some video editing that he will be doing as well.

My main question has to do with the processor. I've read that Minecraft's performance is mostly dependent on the CPU and I've been leaning toward Intel over AMD. Is an i7 going to be better for this application than an i5? I know that hyperthreading is the main difference and that for Minecraft alone that's not important, but would it help keep the FPS rate up while running FRAPS.

My second question has to do with the GPU. I'm very much out of my league in terms of knowing which cards will give me good performance without breaking the bank.

I'm hoping to build this whole system (not including keyboard, mouse, and monitor) for around $1200 if possible. Thanks in advance for any advice you can provide!

ingtar33 · Jul 9, 2013

In all my years of playing with computers there is only one game i've ever seen HT help, and that's Crysis3, and a laundry list of games i've seen it actually hurt. you're probably safe saving 100 and going with the i5.

nightowl99 · Jul 11, 2013

I had someone else recommend using an AMD FX-8320 processor instead of an i5. I don't mind going with AMD over Intel, but was wondering if there are any major disadvantages to doing that?

ingtar33 · Jul 11, 2013

it depends. if you're gaming on a 60hz monitor, and not in SLi/xfire you'll never tell... in fact for the more multithread optimized titles it will be basically indistinguishable.

Frankly, unless you have some gloriously expensive 120hz monitor you'll never be able to tell the difference.

cosmicspacehead · Jul 11, 2013

According to some benchmarks, AMD FX 8 cores should be better with video editing.
could save some money and get a FX 6300, they're pretty good too. they cost £90 here in england, so maybe $130-140?
whats your budget on a graphics cards?

an AMD HD 7850 is about £130-150 here and they're pretty awesome, as is a Nvidia GTX 660, for £150 too. ($180-200~?)
should be able to get something good for $1200.

saying that, my friend just got the following for £650.
i5 3570K
Asrock Z75 Motherboard
8GB 1833mhz DDR3 RAM
600w Corsair PSU
a cheap FULL ATX case (£30)
a Gigabyte GTX 660 OC
WD 500GB 7200rpm HDD
and windows 8 OEM 64BIT
a TP Link wifi card
and a dvd drive, and a few fans.
dont think i missed anything

nightowl99 · Jul 11, 2013

Thanks for the replies. I was hoping to stay in the $1000 range for everything (minus the keyboard, monitor, and mouse). I had expected to pay somewhere in the $300-$350 neighborhood for a graphics card. I'm even more out of my league when it comes to GPUs than CPUs, so any recommendations would be appreciated

. I don't intend to get a very high end monitor, so the AMD processor does seem to be a viable option for me. Thanks!

ingtar33 · Jul 11, 2013

if you're gonna game on 1 monitor at 60hz, you don't need more than an HD 7950

thesuperguy · Jul 11, 2013

Unless your son is using ultra high resolution textures for minecraft, or if he plans on doing any more demanding gaming, you really don't need to pay any more than maybe a hundred for a GPU. A graphics card in the 300 range is simply a waste of money if all it will be dealing with is minecraft.

Something like the HD 7770 would easily max out minecraft even with some higher resolution textures if it is paired with a good CPU.

cosmicspacehead · Jul 11, 2013

looking on newegg.com you can get pretty awesome graphics cards for under $300.

Heres a quick list!
XFX AMD Radeon HD 7870 2GB - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150605
EVGA Nvidia GTX 660 Ti 2GB - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130810
Gigabyte Nivida GTX 760 2GB OC - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125466
EVGA Nvidia GTX 760 4GB - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130937

they're all sub $300 by a bit, and all of them will play games like battlefield 3 at 1080p ultra graphics, at 60 fps.
$300 is abit overkill for just playing minecraft tho. $150 is probably a better budget.

ingtar33 · Jul 11, 2013

SAPPHIRE Vapor-X HD 7950 - also under $300

SamGriffiths · Jul 11, 2013

The GTX 760 is what I'd recommend, very nice, runs quite cool and quite, is smack bang in-between a 7950 and a 7970.

ingtar33 · Jul 12, 2013

SamGriffiths :

no it isn't. Overclocked, the 7950 will walk away from it, as the 760 doesn't scale well at all with it's overclock.

SamGriffiths · Jul 12, 2013

ingtar33 :

I sorry, did I miss the part in OPs post where he said he's overclocking heavily?

ingtar33 · Jul 12, 2013

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD FX-8320 3.5GHz 8-Core Processor ($159.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Corsair H80i 77.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($83.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-990FXA-UD3 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($122.99 @ NCIX US)
Memory: Corsair XMS3 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1333 Memory ($67.98 @ Amazon)
Storage: Samsung 840 Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($92.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($56.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7950 3GB Video Card ($254.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Antec One ATX Mid Tower Case ($45.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 750W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($59.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Pioneer BDC-207DBK Blu-Ray Reader, DVD/CD Writer ($37.98 @ Outlet PC)
Other: AVerMedia Game Broadcaster HD ($124.99)
Total: $1092.86
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-07-12 15:31 EDT-0400)

I highly recommend you get a video capture card, so i included one in this build. Since you wanted a new computer build somewhere in the 1000-1200 dollar range the temptation was to go intel; since generally over $800 the advantage of going with AMD tends to vanish. That happens in this case too.

While i provided an AMD option, i'd suggest you go with the intel, as it's a superior computer across the board, and includes a good video capture card so you can stream your game video. Also it's under your initial 1200 budget.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($229.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Corsair H80i 77.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($83.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Asus Z87-K ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($122.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Corsair XMS3 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1333 Memory ($67.98 @ Amazon)
Storage: Samsung 840 Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($92.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($56.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7950 3GB Video Card ($254.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Antec One ATX Mid Tower Case ($45.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 750W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($59.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Pioneer BDC-207DBK Blu-Ray Reader, DVD/CD Writer ($37.98 @ Outlet PC)
Other: AVerMedia Game Broadcaster HD ($124.99)
Total: $1172.86
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-07-12 15:28 EDT-0400)

nightowl99 · Jul 13, 2013

Thanks for the build lists. I think that I'll go with Intel as per your suggestion. One quick question regarding the video card. I read that the Sapphire Radeon 7950 is 10.63" long and that the max size the Antec One can accommodate is 10.5". After looking at a number of mid tower cases, it seems hard to tell what the internal dimensions of the case are since many have restricted dimensions from the internal fans. Is this a common issue with these larger video cards? How can I ensure that the case will be big enough to make sure things will fit? Thanks for helping with all my newbie questions!

ingtar33 · Jul 13, 2013

nightowl99 :

ha! for a "newbie" question you hit the nail on the head and caught a small oversight. You're completely right, the sapphire card i linked you to is too long for the case.

Here is an alternate case which will fit that gpu comfortably.

Thermaltake Commander MS-I ID ($39.99 @ Newegg)

Blake Snyder · Jul 13, 2013

I just got the 760 GTX video card and I almost made the mistake of getting a 660ti. I recommend the 760 at $259.99 for a GPU.

nightowl99 · Jul 14, 2013

ingtar33 :

nightowl99 :

Thanks again for all the help. I've decided to go with this build. It's certainly a huge improvement on what we've been gaming on!

ha! for a "newbie" question you hit the nail on the head and caught a small oversight. You're completely right, the sapphire card i linked you to is too long for the case.

Here is an alternate case which will fit that gpu comfortably.

Thermaltake Commander MS-I ID ($39.99 @ Newegg)

Eamon Burns 99 · Jul 15, 2013

Nope AMDs a great budget gaming solution and provides great framrates

Best processor/GPU for gaming while running FRAPS

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