Need a new AMD CPU for gaming!

maximizer39 · Oct 6, 2013

I have an AMD Phenom II 945 x4 processor at 3.0GHz. It's pretty bad and I'm looking to upgrade my CPU for Battlefield 4, and I just got a shiny new HD7850. I also don't have the money to change my mobo to allow for an Intel CPU. So what AMD CPU is the best for gaming around the $200 mark?

Edit: I might be open to buying a new mobo depending on price, in which case I'd be looking for a ~200 dollar i5.

MysteryINC · Oct 6, 2013

The 945 isn't bad. Get an after market cooler and OC it so it can achieve the most out of the OC. Something like the Hyper 212 Evo or Corsair Hydro H80 can allow you to push it as far as you can.

maximizer39 · Oct 6, 2013

czar357 :

How do I tell?

maximizer39 · Oct 6, 2013

czar357 :

maximizer39 :

Go into the bios when you boot up and check or you can open the case and look at the board itself. Usually says it on there.

Sounds like a blast... I'll get back in a bit.

8350rocks · Oct 6, 2013

maximizer39 :

Why would you buy an i5 when the 8350 is better in BF4 beta??

Check out the gamegpu.ru benchmarks for BF4 beta. The site itself is in Russian, however, you can clearly see the charts marked showing the 8350 over the i5's. It's 10 FPS over the 2500k, and would be about 3-5 FPS over the 3570k and 4670k if you extrapolate the performance gains.

Best bet:

Asus M5A97 R2.0 @ $90
AMD FX 8350 @ $180

maximizer39 · Oct 6, 2013

8350rocks :

maximizer39 :

Why would you buy an i5 when the 8350 is better in BF4 beta??

Check out the gamegpu.ru benchmarks for BF4 beta. The site itself is in Russian, however, you can clearly see the charts marked showing the 8350 over the i5's. It's 10 FPS over the 2500k, and would be about 3-5 FPS over the 3570k and 4670k if you extrapolate the performance gains.

Best bet:

Asus M5A97 R2.0 @ $90
AMD FX 8350 @ $180

why do I need a new mobo if my cpu is already AMD?

lazyboy947 · Oct 6, 2013

best option, gigabyte 970a-ud3 or asus m5a97 r2 if ur board doesnt support am3+, for $80-100 and a fx 6300 $110 so total minimum 190 or $210, good stock cpu for bf4 and leaves option to overclock. Unless ur current board is good enough just overclock ur 945 x4. I would say a 3.6ghz would increase performance to push the 7850 no prob.

Avro Arrow · Oct 6, 2013

maximizer39 :

You don't necessarily need a new motherboard. What is the make and model of the motherboard you have? It might have a BIOS update to support FX chips.

maximizer39 · Oct 6, 2013

Ok I will open up my tower and check what mobo I have tomorrow, thanks for your help guys!

maximizer39 · Oct 7, 2013

Ok, turns out it isn't AM3+. Will OC'ing my current CPU match the performance of a higher AM3 AMD cpu?

8350rocks · Oct 7, 2013

maximizer39 :

Yes, if you overclock higher, then you will get equivalent performance to a 965/970/975/980 depending on where you clock it.

Also, if you're willing to go about $250 on CPU + MB, I would go with the Asus board I posted above and get the 8320 from AMD. Then you could overclock it to match FX 8350 performance.

maximizer39 · Oct 7, 2013

8350rocks :

Well the problem is when I got this computer I was a dumbass and got it pre-build from Dell, so it has OEM windows on it. Meaning that if I change the mobo, my Windows license is worthless and I'd have to buy a new one. At least I think that's the case.

lazyboy947 · Oct 7, 2013

some prebuilt codes work on other machines, i have used plenty of codes of win7 laptops to a custom build and also u wont be able to overclock as being a prebuilt dell locks the bios for changing settings other than time, and boot lol

logainofhades · Oct 7, 2013

Unless something has changed, you can reuse it. Probably have to call them to activate and tell them it was a system repair and this install is only on one system type of thing. I have had to do that before. Since you have a Dell, you will probably want a new case as well. The motherboard connections are proprietary to that board. There are ways around it if you have a little technical skill and spend the time to arrange the wires in the connection block to fit the new board's layout. They also make individual extension cables for front panel connectors that you could use. At the end of the day, picking up a decent, yet inexpensive case is simpler.

bretmh · Oct 7, 2013

I recommend the AMD FX-8350 Vishera, it's a beast of a CPU.

8350rocks · Oct 7, 2013

maximizer39 :

8350rocks :

Well the problem is when I got this computer I was a dumbass and got it pre-build from Dell, so it has OEM windows on it. Meaning that if I change the mobo, my Windows license is worthless and I'd have to buy a new one. At least I think that's the case.

Well, if it came to it, you could always install something like Ubuntu on your HDD to use your PC until you can get another windows license.

Then you can just dual boot later with Ubuntu and windows.

maximizer39 · Oct 7, 2013

logainofhades :

What do you mean, rearrange the wires? Will I still have to do this if I get a new mobo? And, more importantly, I think you can only change your mobo if you use the same model/an equivalent model...

logainofhades · Oct 8, 2013

The front panel connector block is set to work with just that motherboard you have now. Not all motherboards use the same exact pins for the front panel connection. Some blocks are designed where the wires can be rearranged, but it is a time consuming process. You would be better off just picking up a cheap case with decent airflow.

maximizer39 · Oct 8, 2013

Still, the problem is if I upgrade my mobo I think I'll lose my Dell OEM Windows license. Otherwise I'd get a new case, mobo, and cpu right away.

bretmh · Jun 25, 2014

I highly recommend you get the AMD FX 8350 for $180, you can get them even cheaper on amazon. Good luck.

logainofhades · Jun 25, 2014

bretmh :

Need a new AMD CPU for gaming!

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