Help choosing the right CPU

bayonet14 · Feb 17, 2014

Hello, I have an AM3 mobo, this one: http://www.emaxxtech.com/products/view/id/1
and I have an Athlon II X3 440@3.0ghz
I have a Radeon R7 260X 2GB DDR5 256bit
8GB Ram (4gb each)
A generic 600watt PSU
Two sata HDD
An Edifier X100 speaker
http://www.edifier-international.com/products/edifier-multimedia/x100
LG 20EN43 20 inch monitor on 1600x900 resolution

I'm going to upgrade to new specs on a budget which leads me to several questions...
a. FM1 or FM2? processors? - FM1 seems cheaper, but I want to know the risk of it. My choice: for FM1 - AMD APU A8 3870, A6 3670 for FM2 - AMD TRINITY A8 5600K
b. What's the best pair for my GPU? - I heard people say about "crossfire" when two gpu's work together
c. If I buy an FM2 mobo first, will my Athlon II processor work?
d. If I buy an FX series processor, which is AM3+, will it work on my AM3 mobo?
e. Any upcoming versions I need to know about? FM3 FM4 etc..

-I'm gonna use it primarily for gaming, I'm playing Battlefield 4 right now and probably next gen games to come.
-I don't overclock
-Most stores in my city don't sell AM3 processors anymore
-I'm on a budget, so AMD is my choice

ghostarcher12 · Feb 17, 2014

I'd recommend an intel processor over amd. If you have a particular budget that'd help a lot too. You won't need a really powerful graphics card if you're just going to be playing under 720p. I recommend you purchase a new monitor. A nice 1080p monitor is around $100. Since AMD is your choice, I'd get something simple like an fx 4300. It can hold its own in most gaming applications.

bayonet14 · Feb 17, 2014

ghostarcher12 :

Yeah, my budget is $140-$160. Will it work on my mobo? I see it's AM3+. Most stores don't sell it here anymore. What's the difference of those sockets anyway?

AshyCFC · Feb 17, 2014

The guy wants AMD because of his budget, intel cannot compete with AMD on price at the lower end and that's a fact.

I don't want to be rude but nobody can recommend an fx-4300 when the fx-6300 is within $5 of it and better.

anyway, serious time.

I think you'd be best served by a new motherboard + fx-6300. What's your budget and where are you from?

There's a 1080p monitor on offer from newegg right now at $119.99 http://pcpartpicker.com/part/asus-monitor-ve247h

bayonet14 · Feb 17, 2014

AshyCFC :

Yes FX-6300 is great but why new motherboard? I googled and people said AM3+ processors are compatible with AM3 motherboards

AnEwG · Feb 17, 2014

Hi there.
Trinity and Richland based APUs have very poor performance when using dual graphics mode. If your RAM is DDR3 then I would advice you to go with a FM2+/FM2 board with an Athlon II x4 750k or a Kaveri APU at least. What is your exact budget?

AshyCFC · Feb 17, 2014

I just assumed that with $140-$160 you'd want an updated board, edit you NEED one as only a select few am3 boards support am3+

Grab the fx-6300 if you can, I'd advise getting an aftermarket cooler such as cooler master tx3 evo or 212 evo as even though you don't overclock the stock one is awful.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD FX-6300 3.5GHz 6-Core Processor ($109.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $139.97
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-02-17 09:10 EST-0500)

Have you got enough space for the 212 evo? It is rather large. 16cm high.

AnEwG · Feb 17, 2014

If I didn't misunderstand his board is AM3 not +AM3, AM3+ is backward compatible with AM3 socket processors, but the other way around isn't true.

maddogfargo · Feb 17, 2014

* Retracted *

You board is AM3
The FX 6300 is AM3+

The FX 6300 CPU is going to need an AM3+ socket.

AshyCFC · Feb 17, 2014

This is what you can get with an fx-6300. PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD FX-6300 3.5GHz 6-Core Processor ($109.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-78LMT-USB3 Micro ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $159.98
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-02-17 09:17 EST-0500)

You'll have to put up with the awful stock cooler.

AnEwG · Feb 17, 2014

Athlon II x4 750k+ MSI A78M-E45
http://pcpartpicker.com/mr/amazon/amd-cpu-ad750kwohjbox
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130747
Total cost: 140$ shipping cost included.

bayonet14 · Feb 17, 2014

AnEwG :

Hello, my budget is $135. I can stretch it to $158. My RAM is 8.00GB Dual-Channel DDR3

AnEwG · Feb 17, 2014

maddogfargo :

Your current board only has a 3+1 power phase and no heatsink on the VRUs.
It only supports up to 95W TDP and DDR3 1333..

This limits you to the FX 6300 at stock speeds and slower RAM.

Here's what I'd do:

1) Get an FX 6300 and Hyper 212 EVO now. That will be around $150 total now.
2) Plan to upgrade to a good 970 or 990 chipset board in the future. This will be around $80-$120 more at a later date but will allow you to get the most out of the FX 6300 via overclocking. It will also support faster RAM.
3) Plan to upgrade your ram to DDR3 1866.

You should be able to continue to use your current board and RAM until you are fully upgraded.

* Addendum: This is pretty much what AshyCFC suggested above.

His motherboard doesn't support AM3+ socket processors.

AshyCFC · Feb 17, 2014

If your budget is $135 go for the Athlon 750k.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD Athlon X4 750K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($79.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-F2A75M-HD2 Micro ATX FM2+ Motherboard ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $129.98
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-02-17 09:22 EST-0500)

If you want a faster fx-6300 go for this:
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD FX-6300 3.5GHz 6-Core Processor ($109.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-78LMT-S2 Micro ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($42.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $152.98
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-02-17 09:21 EST-0500)

both will be an improvement.

maddogfargo · Feb 17, 2014

AnEwG :

maddogfargo :

His motherboard doesn't support AM3+ socket processors.

Jsut saw that and already retracted.

* SOME * boards do work, but not officially supported.

AnEwG · Feb 17, 2014

bayonet14 :

If it is 1333 MHz it should be compatible with the motherboard I choose for you. If the stock cooler for the 6300 is really that bad, I suggest you go with the Athlon II x4 760k, since obviously you can afford the 10 extra dollars.
It will overall cost less than a motherboard+fx-6300+aftermarket cooler and you will have an upgrade path with the FM2+ socket.

bayonet14 · Feb 17, 2014

AnEwG :

Ok, so that answers my question. I'm getting a new board and processor. Here is my choice for FM1: MSI a55m-p33 + a6 3670
For FM2: MSI a55m-P33 + a8 5600K
By the way I don't overlock. I don't know it and it's risky for me. I have a generic PSU and I'm gonna upgrade it as part of my plan. As of now I'll have to make do of what I have

AshyCFC · Feb 17, 2014

why are you getting an APU? You have a dedicated card in the 260x

The A8/A6 as cpu's are slower than the Athlon 750K. The 750k is an A10 6700 without the integrated GPU.

If power draw is an issue get the Athlon 740.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD Athlon X4 740 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($74.98 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-F2A75M-HD2 Micro ATX FM2+ Motherboard ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $124.97
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-02-17 09:32 EST-0500)

AnEwG · Feb 17, 2014

You said you have a 158$ budget, right? Do you want to get the best for your money, or do you want to buy cheap now and waste your money when you could have bought something much better?
We already suggested to you builds based on FX-6300, Athlon II x4 750k and 760k, All will deliver much better performance for your money.

bayonet14 · Feb 17, 2014

AshyCFC :

Hi, I'm getting it because stores here don't sell AM3 processors because it's... "old". My mobo doesn't support AM3+ processor which is unfortunate which means I have to upgrade to the latest mobo anyway.

AshyCFC · Feb 17, 2014

AM3+ does not compete with FM2+

FM2+ is AMD's lower powered cpu's and their apus!

AM3+ is AMD's more powerful cpus!

Both are current and modern sockets. The Athlon X4 740 and 750K fit on the FM2 OR FM2+ the very same motherboards as the A8-5600K.

Don't get an FM1 now either.

AnEwG · Feb 17, 2014

FX-6300 is an AM3+ processor.
A II X4 750k/760k are FM2 processors and they can work on FM2+ socket boards as well.

bayonet14 · Feb 17, 2014

AnEwG :

Yes thank you for that, I appreciate the help. The ones you suggested aren't available in stores. I don't live in the USA so buying things online isn't popular here. All the stores here have newer processors like the APU series

AshyCFC · Feb 17, 2014

Bayonet where are you from and how much do you want to spend? we can help you out.

jghaverty · Feb 17, 2014

Instead of cutting corners to get minor improvements, I would recommend you get a good AM3+ board right now and save up and wait for an 8320 to go on sale (it will). This board is almost equal to a sabertooth, its just more gravitated towards gamers vs serious over clockers. For the money it is well worth it if you spring to the FX series chips (which are absolute power hogs).

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157479

IF you get a lower end board, you're pretty much stuck with what you have and youre flirting with disaster on the higher end chipsets. No, its not as fun as getting what you "want" right now, but in the long run if you can save up for a while, you're better off with a better mother board on the AMD side of the house.

edit: I posted this then read you're not in the USA. Shop around, see if you can find this board in your country for a good price. If not, then ignore me xD

Help choosing the right CPU

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