Upgrading my PC? gpu vs cpu for making games.

0kami · Sep 14, 2014

Hi there,
I've got a basic build pc running an AMD A6 5600 with 12gb of memory. But now I'm going into college for game development and was wondering what do I need to upgrade more, CPU or GPU? I really don't want to spend too much. Thanks.

okcnaline · Sep 14, 2014

I would suggest both. A10-7700K and R7 260X would be a great combo for $300, and that has more power than needed for Medium 720P for BF4.

0kami · Sep 14, 2014

Interesting! For only 300 that's nice to know.

I'm also interested in knowing what kind of components are of most importance to a 'game developer' rather than a 'gamer'.

3Dns · Sep 14, 2014

Its so bad move to buy a good APU and a GPU.

Buy a normal CPU like FX-6300 and a mid-range GPU like GTX750ti 2GB

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD FX-6300 3.5GHz 6-Core Processor ($106.01 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: ASRock 970 Extreme3 R2.0 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 750 Ti 2GB Superclocked Video Card ($134.99 @ NCIX US)
Total: $300.99
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-09-14 20:06 EDT-0400

okcnaline · Sep 14, 2014

For the game dev question, here:
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Xeon E5-2670 V2 2.5GHz 10-Core Processor ($1504.98 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-L12 37.8 CFM CPU Cooler ($59.99 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: Asus P9X79 WS SSI CEB LGA2011 Motherboard ($335.00 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws Z Series 32GB (8 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($325.98 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Green 1TB 3.5" 5400RPM Internal Hard Drive ($54.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Green 1TB 3.5" 5400RPM Internal Hard Drive ($54.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: AMD FirePro W9100 16GB Video Card (2-Way CrossFire) ($3299.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Silverstone FT02B-W-USB3.0 (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($256.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair 1200W 80+ Platinum Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($301.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $6194.89
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-09-14 20:09 EDT-0400

This won't even sit well for Linus's editor, Edzel. (LinusTechTips, a YouTube channel. The editor has a 12-core E5-2697V2!!!!!!!!!!) This is just YouTube. They need some heavy rendering. This is why it's not even extreme yet.

0kami · Sep 14, 2014

Is it really a bad idea? Cause I'm really trying to avoid building a new computer due household circumstances.

3Dns · Sep 14, 2014

okcnaline :

For the game dev question, here:
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Xeon E5-2670 V2 2.5GHz 10-Core Processor ($1504.98 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-L12 37.8 CFM CPU Cooler ($59.99 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: Asus P9X79 WS SSI CEB LGA2011 Motherboard ($335.00 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws Z Series 32GB (8 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($325.98 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Green 1TB 3.5" 5400RPM Internal Hard Drive ($54.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Green 1TB 3.5" 5400RPM Internal Hard Drive ($54.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: AMD FirePro W9100 16GB Video Card (2-Way CrossFire) ($3299.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Silverstone FT02B-W-USB3.0 (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($256.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair 1200W 80+ Platinum Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($301.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $6194.89
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-09-14 20:09 EDT-0400

This won't even sit well for Linus's editor, Edzel. (LinusTechTips, a YouTube channel. The editor has a 12-core E5-2697V2!!!!!!!!!!) This is just YouTube. They need some heavy rendering. This is why it's not even extreme yet.

Are you drunk ?

3Dns · Sep 14, 2014

0kami :

I offer you a better solution with the same money ( 300$ )

If you dont wanna spend to much money, buy the GTX750ti 2GB and a cheap CPU Cooler like Hyper 212 and Overclock your cpu.

Total cost 150$

okcnaline · Sep 14, 2014

No, 3DNS. Please bother reading what he posted. And it isn't a bad idea to either go with a APU/GPU or a CPU/GPU. Just depends on his flavor.

0kami · Sep 14, 2014

Lol ikr?
I think ill leave the heavy lifting to my schools computers

3Dns · Sep 14, 2014

Why he must buy a APU when he has GPU ?!

0kami · Sep 14, 2014

Cool so apu/gpu is still acceptable? although would my amd a6 5700 do any bottle necking? Ones of the things I really want to know is whats more important to a game dev? the cpu or gpu?

0kami · Sep 14, 2014

because I already have an apu?

okcnaline · Sep 14, 2014

1) Yes, APU/GPU is fine.
2) Yes, your current APU is going to bottleneck. And should I add badly? Your current GPU is only a HD 6470.
3) Neither is the most important. They are both needed.

0kami · Sep 14, 2014

Would upgrading my cpu to a cheap A8-7600 do me better?

okcnaline · Sep 14, 2014

Yes. But then that's not general availability yet. And if you're looking for that route, that's ~$210, since you only need R7 240X on that.

0kami · Sep 14, 2014

I must be seeing things cause I found one for $120 here:
http://www.canadacomputers.com/product_info.php?cPath=4_1210_64&item_id=074797

ferwindjacks · Sep 14, 2014

Sorry to budge in here, but doesn't your university give you a minimum requirement for what your computer needs to do? If it fits, it sits (as in if you make the cut, save the money).

okcnaline · Sep 14, 2014

1) Well, you aren't dreaming. http://www.sabrepc.com/amd-ad7600ybi44ja-a8-7600-kaveri-3-3ghz-fm2-quad-core-apu-retail.html
This is A8-7600. But like I said, that isn't general availability. It's OEM extras that they managed to buy from the OEMs like HP, Dell, etc.
2) Universities may give minimums, but that's minimum. You can get an editing computer (like the one I listed above) and be all crazy and still meet what they require, or get a cheap Pentium 14" Asus laptop for $249 and still meet what they require.

0kami · Sep 14, 2014

True, my College does have fairly strong pc's but I want to be able to do most of the things I will be doing in school at home. Although at minimum expense. So I was wondering what could I do to my current build (ie, AMB A6-5600 with 12gb memory) to make it more game dev oriented without breaking the bank or building another pc. And first thing that comes to my mind is either up the cpu or get a strong gpu?

ferwindjacks · Sep 14, 2014

Right. So if it fits the requirements, then he should be in the green. Anything else is purely a want.
Dont get me wrong, there are valid and solid reasons to upgrade (OP PC is lower end for sure), but unless he needs it than it shouldn't be considered.

Also, I'm really confused to which processor the OP has. He stated two different types and neither of them exist... lol.
Unless he meant the A8 5600 on the OP, and the A10 5700 on the other post, then that work kind of make sense, yet like I said they're both different. Make up your mind OP!

0kami · Sep 14, 2014

Lol, Yeah I got that wrong, its the A6-5400. And I'm looking to up grade it to the A8-7600 which looks to be available around my place, I'll have to check that up in person.

0kami · Sep 14, 2014

Other than that I'll be getting a decent gpu and see if I can upgrade my cpu as well.
I'll be looking at either a 750 ti or a R9 270 for a gpu.

ferwindjacks · Sep 14, 2014

Here's my opinion: Grab the A8 and a nifty EVGA 750 Ti/R9 270 (roughly the same price-up to your discretion as to which you prefer). And before you ask which gets better FPS in video games, the R9 usually has a notch over the 750 Ti. Benchmarks people, not bias.

okcnaline · Sep 14, 2014

I would suggest some of this:
http://www.overclock.net/a/state-of-the-workstation
That's the best and cheapest option. A HD7950 (aka R9 280X) can be softmodded into a FirePro. A 650 Ti (1st gen Kepler) can be softmodded also.

This would be a great option, thanks to 3Dns who made me rethink. The entire time I haven't realized you were talking about video game making.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Xeon E3-1220 V3 3.1GHz Quad-Core Processor ($199.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-H97M-HD3 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($79.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: PNY GeForce GTX 650 1GB Video Card ($66.99 @ Best Buy)
Total: $346.97
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-09-14 23:04 EDT-0400

This is essentially a Haswell Xeon E3, and a Quadro K2000.

Upgrading my PC? gpu vs cpu for making games.

Distinguished

Splendid

Distinguished

Distinguished

Splendid

Distinguished

Distinguished

Distinguished

Splendid

Distinguished

Distinguished

Distinguished

Distinguished

Splendid

Distinguished

Splendid

Distinguished

Honorable

Splendid

Distinguished

Honorable

Distinguished

Distinguished

Honorable

Splendid

Share this page