G3258 vs Athlon 860K

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ImDaBaron

ImDaBaron

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Hey guys...doing a mITX build and it's down to these two processors. I definitely plan on overclocking them. They'll both be water cooled and Ill probably be pairing them up with a R9 270X. Which one do you guys think I should go with?
 
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EDIT: At the end of this response I have added another with my own thoughts and building information.

I am by no means an expert on the subject, but I believe these videos here will be of some help to everyone in the thread here. There seem to be many reasons to get the Pentium.

1) This video contains a slight review of the Pentium G3258 processor, and some basic benchmarks.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=evXpqpNhu_Y

2) This video talks about how there are MANY cheap Hxx-x and Bxx-x series motherboards by ASUS that are capable of overclocks(the H81-K is NOT included in this batch of motherboards. The BIOS update is not a working update).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u380jWhRXTI

3) This video is an...
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photonboy

photonboy

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1) There are Pros and Cons to both CPU choices. For example, the G3258 will run SKYRIM better due to the fact that the game uses not much more than two cores very well.

It's likely that games like BF4 in multiplayer would run better on the X4-860K.

2) Watercooling:
My only issue with this is the COST. Anything half decent and it probably makes more sense to get a better CPU with a reasonable air cooler.

3) mini-ITX:
last time I checked the AMD FM2+ motherboards sucked. There were some good Intel boards though. I'll check again at pcpartpicker...

**PCpartpicker lists the X4-760K as an FM2 CPU (X4-860K not listed yet). However, Amazon lists the X4-860K as an FM2+ CPU.

Maybe someone can clear this up?
 
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christopherjames

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Sep 2, 2013
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There are some really good FM2+ in the $100 range. All full ATX though.
 
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photonboy

photonboy

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photonboy

photonboy

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Let's be CLEAR:
You have $800 and live in the United States?

If so, I strongly recommend building around an i5-4xxx CPU and suitable 1150 Z87 or Z97 motherboard.

I'll put together a build which will INCLUDE the cost of Windows 8.1 64-bit (though I recommend the $5 program Start8 to make the interface like Windows 7).

Also:
You can check, but I don't know if the Gigabyte you linked supports overclocking. Most non-Z87 boards do not.
 
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i7Baby

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See - http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/pentium-g3258-b81-c...

For $800 try -

CPU: AMD FX-8320 3.5GHz 8-Core Processor ($149.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($28.65 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: Asus M5A99X EVO R2.0 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($115.95 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($79.98 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($53.98 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon R9 280X 3GB Dual-X Video Card ($263.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair Graphite Series 230T Orange ATX Mid Tower Case ($67.99 @ Micro Center)
Power Supply: Antec High Current Gamer 620W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($64.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($19.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $820.49
 
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photonboy

photonboy

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He's making a Mini-ITX build, not a micro-ATX build...

Also, I assume that the price is to include Windows.
 
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photonboy

photonboy

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My build: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/N6VHpg

I ended up having to go with the G3258 else there wasn't enough money for a good graphics card though it should overclock fairly well. You may or may not like the case but there's lots of good video tutorials for it. Comes in black as well.

My advice is get the above build or similar, then consider upgrading to an i5-4xxx CPU if budget allows later.

*FYI, the modern Intel architecture is about 40 to 45% better for gaming than AMD's on a per-core basis. That's why the 2-core Intel CPU works better in games that only use a few cores, but the AMD 4-core that's less efficient per core does better in games that can use more cores.

(I'd estimate maybe 5% of modern games would do better on the AMD based on my monitoring of CPU usage in many games but that's a rough estimate)

Mantle and DX12 will reduce the CPU load quite a bit as well which is why I chose an AMD graphics card. So, the 2-core Intel is for the games that work better with it currently which is MOST of them, and it may do fine in some future games (or again the option to drop in a better i5/i7 4xxx).

That and the dearth of mini-ITX motherboards for FM2+, coupled with the fact you can UPGRADE the Intel platform to a better CPU make it hard for me to recommend the AMD board.

Other:
I also included a fairly expensive CPU cooler. That's mainly for if you decide to upgrade to an i5 later but it will also help with overclocking the G3258. If not, the stock one might do for now once FAN CONTROL is enabled. Also, make sure it fits this case if you do get this case.

Good luck...
 
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photonboy

photonboy

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Update:
I should give you some actual benchmarks (G3258 vs X4-750K as no 860K benchmarks I can find):
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/pentium-g3258-b81-cheap-overclocking,3888-3.html

The above is the worst-case scenario, and if you read carefully the BF4 benchmarks are for single player. It's one of the minority of games that would do better on the X4.

If you skip to the next page you see Thief and WOW prefer the G3258. I assume that's Thief without Mantle on. Assuming Mantle is stable, the game should do better with that enabled.

I don't have a link, but I know Skyrim and Starcraft 2 do a lot better on the G3258. I believe it's at least 30% better.

(It's ironic that Thief both shows that Mantle makes sense for AMD graphics card users but that it prefers the Intel CPU..)
 
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Outlander_04

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The Tomshardware comparison is not relevant
The 750K is two generation older cpu cores than the 860K .
Clock for clock the 860K will be 15 - 20% better than the older model they used in that comparison .

Basically I believe the pentium will get nuked by the newer athlon
 
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SoundFX09

SoundFX09

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Let me tell you the differences between the two.

-Intel Pentium G3258:
Has only Two Cores, Clocked at 3.2Ghz (Though you should be able to OC it to 4.5 no problem), has 3 MB of L3 Cache, and priced at $70.

(WARNING) You will need a Z87 or Z97 Chipset on your motherboard. If you don't, you cannot Overclock it. And most of those Motherboards are easily $100+.

-AMD Athlon X4 860K:
Has Four Cores, Clocked at 3.7 Ghz (OCing to 4.5 Ghz+ is possible), has 4MB of L2 cache, and is priced at $85.

(TIP) Best of All, You don't need a specific FM2+ Chipset to overclock it. Heck, Grab a MSI A78M-E35 (Which is only $60) and you can OC the 860K no problem.

- CPU Benchmark Comparison:
=2362&cmp[]=2267]http://www.cpubenchmark.net/compare.php?cmp[]=2362&cmp[]=2267

- Conclusion:
Regardless, Both of them will run great with a R9 270X, but the Athlon X4 860K is the better bet. for only $15 More you are getting a slightly faster clocked CPU, with more Cores (Though people will argue they are weaker), and much more Cache.

Hope this Helps.
 
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Outlander_04

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Single player benchmarks

And an unusually high OC on the pentium . Most people dont seem to get more than 4.5 Ghz
 
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x91

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I would say so too, he got lucky to OC it that high with just the Hyper 212 Evo.
 
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niko24

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Outdated info about OC the G3258. Any H81 motherboard for 30$ with updated BIOS would OC this CPU to minimum of 4.2 Ghz with stock cooler. ;)
 
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LEGENDARYACTS

LEGENDARYACTS

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I've personally built two different systems that I sold on Craiglist with the G3258. Both were overclocked, one was using a mATX Z97 board and the other was a mATX B85 with a bios update. I recently ordered the X4 860k and look forward to seeing the comparative results.
 
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Outlander_04

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Please come back and give us a report . There are no good head to head comparisons I have seen yet
 
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LEGENDARYACTS

LEGENDARYACTS

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Will do. Honestly, I'm quite surprised no one has really stepped up to do this but I have every intention on doing so. So far this is what I have going:

CPU: X4 860K
GPU: PowerColor R9 280
MOBO: MSI A88X-G45 GAMING
PSU: Rosewill HIVE Series HIVE-750 750W
OS: WINDOWS 8.1
HDD: WD 7200RPM 6G (GAME STORAGE)
SSD: SAMSUNG EVO 120GB (OS BOOT DRIVE)
RAM: (Still deciding but possibly 1600 Mhz to keep things fair with the G3258)
CASE: Corsair Carbide Series Spec-01 (Red LED)
CPU COOLING: Corsair H55 (I know what many will say but I bought this on sale a long time ago and it turned out I couldn't use it with the intended build)
 
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