AM3+ CPU for gaming

sonnymilbourn · Jan 1, 2014

First off, Replacing my motherboard is not an option,

If I do decide to upgrade my CPU I'm going to need one that is AM3+ because the motherboard that came with my PC (Pre-built from amazon) will not work with the Intel CPU's. My budget is around £200($330) and I will be using the PC for gaming (Things like ARMA and battlefield) so I need to know what would be the best for gaming.

Thanks in advance!

lucasz · Jan 1, 2014

CPU: http://www.novatech.co.uk/products/components/processors/amdpiledriverfx/fd6350frhkbox.html
GPU: http://www.novatech.co.uk/products/components/amdradeongraphicscards/amdhd7850series/fx-785a-cef7.html
Hopefully you can stretch your budget a little

IRONBATMAN · Jan 1, 2014

£200 for an AMD CPU ? That's more than enough.
Here's a FX-8350 . It's performance is similar to the i5-3470 but of course, it consumes a lot more power so in a way, AMD CPUs aren't cheaper
http://www.ebuyer.com/409184-amd-fx-8350-4ghz-socket-am3-16mb-cache-retail-boxed-processor-fd8350frhkbox

rolli59 · Jan 1, 2014

Could you tell us what motherboard you have and the current CPU so we can better advice? Not all am3+ boards will run the FX83xx CPU's problem free.

blademaster123 · Jan 1, 2014

FX 8320 + good cpu cooler to overclock.
Or FX 8350 + good cpu cooler to overclock
Fx 8320 is essentially a lower clocked 8350.

lucasz · Jan 1, 2014

Oh my bad. I thought you needed a new GPU too. Get a 8350 then

sonnymilbourn · Jan 1, 2014

I've already ordered a r9 280x.

My Motherboard is the Gygabyte 78MT-USB3 if that helps.

IRONBATMAN · Jan 1, 2014

The 970 / 990x chipset motherboards would be better

rolli59 · Jan 1, 2014

sonnymilbourn :

LMT-USB3? Would do OK with FX83xx but no OC https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/pub?key=0AgN1D79Joo7tdE9xMUFlMEVWeFhuckJEVF9aMmtpUFE&chrome=false&gid=3

ElMoIsEviL · Jan 1, 2014

IRONBATMAN :

I concur. I lean more on the 990FX side of things (Gigabyte wise) or at least a Gigabyte GA-970A-UD3 motherboard at a bare minimum.

sonnymilbourn · Jan 1, 2014

Could someone point me to the best option please(Preferably on scan) and I will set it as solution.

Thanks

ElMoIsEviL · Jan 1, 2014

Gigabyte GA-970A-UD3 is your best bet. This motherboard here:
http://www.gigabyte.com/products/product-page.aspx?pid=3907#ov

Price? $104.99 USD http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128519

It has an 8+2 Power Phase design (the same found on Gigabyte's higher grade 990FXA-UD3). This is perfect for offering a stable power delivery to the CPU and RAM. Especially great for overclocking.

CPU
AMD FX-8350 4.0GHz 8-Core Processor

CPU Cooler
Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler

Motherboard
Gigabyte GA-970A-UD3 ATX AM3+ Motherboard

Total: £240.94

http://uk.pcpartpicker.com/p/2tSnD

IRONBATMAN · Jan 1, 2014

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD FX-8350 4.0GHz 8-Core Processor (£146.20 @ Scan.co.uk)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler (£23.98 @ Scan.co.uk)
Motherboard: Asus M5A99X EVO R2.0 ATX AM3+ Motherboard (£101.99 @ Scan.co.uk)
Total: £272.17
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-01-01 20:38 GMT+0000)

sonnymilbourn · Jan 1, 2014

Will I need to be upgrading the motherboard? And the CPU should come with a cooler right? Im not really looking to overclock it, And if I do it will not be more than 0.2/0.3 GHz.

I also do not care about the noise, Since I'm wearing headphones all the time.

ElMoIsEviL · Jan 1, 2014

sonnymilbourn :

The motherboard I listed above is one you will need to get. The Gigabyte GA-970A-UD3 ATX AM3+ Motherboard. The CPU will come with a cooler and so long as you do not overclock you're good to go

If you want a slightly lower priced CPU there is always the AMD FX-6300 or 6350. Again, comes with a stock cooler so no overclocking.

sonnymilbourn · Jan 1, 2014

Why will I need the Motherboard, Will it not work with the one I have?

rolli59 · Jan 1, 2014

The one you have will work with either FX8320 or FX8350 at std clocks.

sonnymilbourn · Jan 1, 2014

Thank you!

ElMoIsEviL · Jan 1, 2014

rolli59 :

sonnymilbourn :

I'm sorry but no. It will work for a few months and then the motherboard will die. That motherboad has a 4+1 Power phase design. Check it out yourself.

http://www.gigabyte.com/products/product-page.aspx?pid=4305#ov

The reason you need a new motherboard is because of the Power phase design. The AMD FX-8320/8350 CPUs are very demanding on the power requirements.

So odds are you'll have to run your RAM at 1066MHz or 1333MHz (if you're lucky) in order to get the system to post at all (just as this guy had to do who did as you did and went ahead with an FX-8350 on that motherboard:http://www.tomshardware.com/answers/id-1744214/8350-78lmt-usb3.html)

There's a reason we spent this long posting in this thread and advising on a new motherboard. This is pretty standard knowledge by now though if you do a Google search: https://www.google.com/search?q=4%2B1+phase+FX+8350&oq=4%2B1+phase+FX+8350&aqs=chrome..69i57.6359j0j7&sourceid=chrome&espv=210&es_sm=93&ie=UTF-8

rolli59 · Jan 1, 2014

ElMoIsEviL :

rolli59 :

sonnymilbourn :

I'm sorry but no. It will work for a few months and then the motherboard will die. That motherboad has a 4+1 Power phase design. Check it out yourself.

http://www.gigabyte.com/products/product-page.aspx?pid=4305#ov

The reason you need a new motherboard is because of the Power phase design. The AMD FX-8320/8350 CPUs are very demanding on the power requirements.

There's a reason we spent this long posting in this thread and advising on a new motherboard. This is pretty standard knowledge by now though if you do a Google search: https://www.google.com/search?q=4%2B1+phase+FX+8350&oq=4%2B1+phase+FX+8350&aqs=chrome..69i57.6359j0j7&sourceid=chrome&espv=210&es_sm=93&ie=UTF-8

You need to read OP's original post since he is upgrading AMD because of his board! If swapping he should go Intel! The board has heatsinked VRM's and 4+1 power phase which is sufficient without OC!

sonnymilbourn · Jan 1, 2014

ElMoIsEviL :

Well, If I am going to need to upgrade my motherboard would it be wise to go for one that will support Intel chips instead of AMD ones?. The only reason I was asking for ones with AM3+ socket was because I could not support a Intel chip. Ill look around for a bit, Probably be ending up posting another thread. At least now know I will need to look at the MT/s of the boards and the chip. Thanks man!

ElMoIsEviL · Jan 1, 2014

rolli59 :

It is not sufficient, even without an OC, just do a quick Google search or check out the links I've provided. 4+1 Power phase should never be coupled with an AMD FX-8320/8350. Especially not when we take into account aging components.

Having VRMs covered with a heatsink helps spread out the heat but given that the advertised power usage of the FX 8350 is 125W the 4+1 VRM has a maximum of 140W. That's 140W for the CPU and for the RAM maximum with the CPU taking up 125W under mild load (fully load that CPU with a Scrypt miner and watch that system bluescreen pretty quick).

rolli59 · Jan 1, 2014

ElMoIsEviL :

rolli59 :

It is not sufficient, even without an OC, just do a quick Google search or check out the links I've provided. 4+1 Power phase should never be coupled with an AMD FX-8320/8350. Especially not when we take into account aging components.

Having VRMs covered with a heatsink helps spread out the heat but given that the advertised power usage of the FX 8350 is 125W the 4+1 VRM has a maximum of 140W. That's 140W for the CPU and for the RAM maximum with the CPU taking up 125W under mild load (fully load that CPU with a Scrypt miner and watch that system bluescreen pretty quick).

Did you check my link which is from here http://www.overclock.net/t/946407/amd-motherboards-vrm-info-database There are many boards with 4+1 phasing that will run them at std clocks but can not handle OC even some of the 990FX boards!

rolli59 · Jan 1, 2014

sonnymilbourn :

ElMoIsEviL :

Well, If I am going to need to upgrade my motherboard would it be wise to go for one that will support Intel chips instead of AMD ones?. The only reason I was asking for ones with AM3+ socket was because I could not support a Intel chip. Ill look around for a bit, Probably be ending up posting another thread. At least now know I will need to look at the MT/s of the boards and the chip. Thanks man!

If you upgrade the board you may as well go Intel I5 for better performance and power consumption.

AM3+ CPU for gaming

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