A10-6800K + GPU = Questions

Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar
P

ph0x79

Honorable
Feb 9, 2014
6
0
10,510
Hey All,

I recently built a rig and included an APU due to lack of cash and options at the time. I'm now looking to add a GPU to this build but have seen SO much conflicting information about using my APU with a GPU that I need some help.

My build - http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2QvrP

I am willing to consider any GPU under $300. I have been leaning heavily toward the EVGA GeForce GTX 760 Superclocked w/ EVGA ACX Cooler based on all of the great things I've read but I'm concerned that I wouldn't see returns due to my CPU bottlenecking.

I'm aware that my PSU is of a lower wattage and lacks a second PCI-E connector, but it would still work with the 760 based on other info I have found.

I'm looking to play games at 1920x1080 on one monitor at the highest settings possible. To name a few: Metro: Last Light, The Witcher 2, Borderlands 2 and any future games.

I want the best GPU I can get that will be fully utilized. No point in buying an expensive GPU that will do what I want if it only runs at 60% and can't surpass that due to my CPU.

I also haven't seen any empirical data proving that the A10-6800K would cause a bottleneck with the 760 or similar cards.

Any and all help is appreciated as I am looking to buy this card today/tomorrow and have it installed on Thursday or Friday.
 
Solution
photonboy


Look up some Tweaking Guides online sometime for more help if you want.

*I recommend you COPY this for future reference*

The key to the best experience is to understand tweaking the game quality settings. You should always have a tweaking GOAL such as:

1) Tweak to maintain 60FPS (VSYNC ON)
2) Tweak to maintain 40FPS (VSYNC OFF)

It's critical to determine your goal, then play around with the settings while monitoring with FRAPS. In some cases you might have to...
Sort by date Sort by votes
P

ph0x79

Honorable
Feb 9, 2014
6
0
10,510


Do you know of any poorly threaded games offhand? Do you have a recommended card under $300 for the build I'm going for?

I think at this point I have many more questions than answers =/
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
photonboy

photonboy

Titan
Jun 20, 2006
21,567
13
85,015
The CPU bottleneck will VARY between games so there's no right answer for the graphics card.

Go ahead and get the GTX760, then TWEAK the game quality settings to achieve your desired frame rate (such as 40FPS VSYNC OFF, or 60FPS with VSYNC ON).

I prefer the Asus version: http://pcpartpicker.com/part/asus-video-card-gtx760dc2oc2gd5

Make sure your monitor is connected to the graphics card, and you've downloaded the drivers from NVidia.

Other:
Games also vary a lot in how much processing power you need for max settings. Metro LL with everything maxed on your rig would practically be a slideshow, however you could get it to 40FPS or higher and make it still look great if you tweak the settings carefully. Learn how to optimize the graphics (i.e. 4xAA instead of 8xAA, or HIGH not Ultra Shadows etc.)
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
P

ph0x79

Honorable
Feb 9, 2014
6
0
10,510
I typically turn things like AA and Shadows down or off because I don't care about them compared to say Character Models or other details. I by no means expect 100 FPS on these games maxed out, but I'm looking to play most higher end games between 40-60FPS which seems attainable if I tweak like you mentioned.

I was also reading the article found at http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gaming-graphics-card-review,3107-8.html which lists some of the best cards at this time and pricing.

Do you think I would see a big decrease in performance if I instead went with a GTX 660 or any card that benches lower than the 760?

Trying to figure out what that break point is where I basically waste money on a card I won't be utilizing because of my CPU. I'm willing to buy the best card I can get use out of though.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
S

sapperastro

Honorable
Jan 28, 2014
191
0
10,710
You won't waste your money. The 6800k is powerful enough to make the most of any current single gpu.

An example for you. My friend uses an Fx 6300. His brother uses an i5 4670k. Neither have been overclocked yet. In Metro last light, they BOTH gain the same fps using a identical radeon 7790s.

Since the 6800k is a touch better in lower threaded programs than the 6300, I would imagine that you can expect the same.

Games will vary though. The latest Hitman game gets higher frames on the i5 system, but they both pull more than enough fps to not actually know anything is different between them when playing. 100 fps versus 90 sort of thing.

So, stop worrying, and start buying!
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
photonboy

photonboy

Titan
Jun 20, 2006
21,567
13
85,015


Look up some Tweaking Guides online sometime for more help if you want.

*I recommend you COPY this for future reference*

The key to the best experience is to understand tweaking the game quality settings. You should always have a tweaking GOAL such as:

1) Tweak to maintain 60FPS (VSYNC ON)
2) Tweak to maintain 40FPS (VSYNC OFF)

It's critical to determine your goal, then play around with the settings while monitoring with FRAPS. In some cases you might have to re-tweak later on if a level is more demanding.

Here's an example of tweaking to maintain 60FPS, with VSYNC ON:
*The GOAL is to stay above 60FPS at least 80% of the time...
1) FRAPS running
2) Game running with VSYNC OFF
3) Adjust anti-aliasing, Shadows etc, to find the best visual experience
4) VSYNC ON
5) Verify 60FPS in FRAPS, then turn FRAPS off.

The two biggest mistakes are:
1) Having no goal at all (just pick "HIGH" and hope for the best), and
2) *Use VSYNC when dropping below the target frequently

*When VSync is ON and you drop below 60FPS it actually has to resynch to 30FPS. However, FRAPS doesn't report this as it can fluctuate between 60FPS and 30FPS several times in a second so you see an AVERAGE. This fluctuation causes a type of stutter that's really annoying.

ADAPTIVE VSYNC is the solution to this (force on a per-game basis). It disables VSYNC when dropping below the target (so 45FPS is really 45FPS, not a combo of 30/60FPS). You get some Screen Tearing though of course, unfortunately you get it on Video cut scenes as well since VSync is off now (unless 60FPS video and 60FPS VSYNC target).

Summary:
For many games, I recommend using Adaptive VSync. For some I recommend 40FPS VSYNC OFF (if screen tearing not too bad).

Games vary in how well a particular choice works. For example, Far Cry 3 on my setup had horrible screen tearing so VSYNC ON was essential at all times but I've seen games that ran well at 40FPS VSYNC OFF.

The SMOOTHNESS of a game is the most important thing to many people.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Solution
P

ph0x79

Honorable
Feb 9, 2014
6
0
10,510
So far so good. Played Metro: LL pretty close to maxed and it did great. In fact I beat the game in one day with no real breaks in playing, so the card had to be running pretty hot. No shutdowns or any issues except the occasional screen tearing in some games which I'm assuming is normal.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
S

sapperastro

Honorable
Jan 28, 2014
191
0
10,710
Good stuff. I am always amused at the way many people try to paint horrible pictures of how much power you really need to play games. Fact is, a 6800k is more than powerful enough for games when paired with a decent gpu. Same goes for FX 6300, I3, etc. Glad everything is working out for you. Have fun.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Latest posts

Moderators online

Share this page

COMPANY
RESOURCES
FOLLOW
Top Bottom