Overwhelmed By CPU Options

Sherrick

Honorable
Sep 11, 2013
8
0
10,510
Hello Everyone. I could really use some help choosing the best CPU for my needs. I'm torn between a variety of CPUs / APUs, including the AMD 5800k, the 6800k, the FX-6300, the FX-8320 and an I-3 / I-5.

My situation is this: I have an old machine that I use for media recording, media serving, media conversion and occasionally as a game server. The old configuration was centered around an Athlon 64 X2 4800+. This has been a real sturdy machine for a long time, but it is beginning to flake out on me and also isn't up to the task of recording multiple TV streams incoming from an HD Homerun Prime.

I need to do an upgrade, but I need to do it as cheaply as possible, while at at the same time providing enough performance to avoid another rebuild any time in the near future.

I'd like to keep the rebuild in the $325 range or lower. I have an old GeForce 9600 GSO 768MB (GDDR2) video card that I could carry over if it would be up to the job. If not, I'll have to go the APU route or purchase a new video card ~ and that is an expense that I fear will put the rebuild out of my budget. I do have a nice 750-watt PSU, ample storage, case, Win7 Home Premium 64-bit OS. So all I'm really looking to purchase is CPU, Motherboard, RAM and possibly a video card if that becomes a necessity. Due to financial constraints, I tend to hold on to my machines for a long time (my main system is a single core Pentium 4 3.4GHz). I need this rebuild to have some longevity to it and because funds are very tight, I've been agonizing over this decision. I suspect the Core I-5 would be a safe solution, but I also suspect that it might be outside of my budget range by the time I add a decent motherboard, RAM, and video card.

Any insight or assistance you folks could provide would be greatly appreciated.

Edit / Addition: Since I need to promote a long life span in my systems, I've never been much of an overclocker, and I suspect I will not overclock very much going forward, either.

Thank you.
Sherrick
 
Solution
Here is a setup with a GPU. If you think your GPU is up to the task, I am not sure as I am not overly familiar with what you are using this system for, you could step to an FX 8320 or go with a 16gb kit of ram over 8gb.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD FX-6300 3.5GHz 6-Core Processor ($117.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: Asus M5A78L-M/USB3 Micro ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($54.99 @ Microcenter)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($57.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: HIS Radeon HD 7770 1GB Video Card ($89.99 @ Microcenter)
Total: $320.96
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts...

logainofhades

Titan
Moderator
Here is a setup with a GPU. If you think your GPU is up to the task, I am not sure as I am not overly familiar with what you are using this system for, you could step to an FX 8320 or go with a 16gb kit of ram over 8gb.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD FX-6300 3.5GHz 6-Core Processor ($117.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: Asus M5A78L-M/USB3 Micro ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($54.99 @ Microcenter)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($57.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: HIS Radeon HD 7770 1GB Video Card ($89.99 @ Microcenter)
Total: $320.96
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-09-12 15:07 EDT-0400)
 
Solution

Sherrick

Honorable
Sep 11, 2013
8
0
10,510


I really wish that was an option, Marty. This board is an old Socket 939. Uses DDR(1) RAM, PCI-E(1). I think I've pretty much taken it as far as it will go. It even flakes out now when I install more than 2GB RAM.
 

Sherrick

Honorable
Sep 11, 2013
8
0
10,510


logainofhades ~ that's a pretty sweet set of options you've put together there. The price looks like it would be right in line and I love the idea of 6 cores. Do you have any hands-on experience with the FX-6300? I do not.