A10-6800k w/ discrete graphics, how good will it be?

anbello262 · Oct 20, 2014

Hello everyone,
My PC has an A10-6800k, and I am not able to upgrade it at the moment. I really want to play BF3 multiplayer (32vs32 maps), with 45-60 fps.
Would I be able to achieve this,if i added a discrete GPU?
Is this CPU strong eonough for that?

MeteorsRaining · Oct 20, 2014

Yes you can do it using the integrated graphics itself, it's fairly powerful. But on low-medium settings, not on ultra. CPU is not the strongest, but fine for the purpose.

thor220 · Oct 20, 2014

anbello262 :

BF3 multi-player is heavily cpu dependent. The only difference you will see with a new graphics card is being able to raise eyecandy but you will lag. I would not expect good framerates on large maps or servers with many people.

If you lower your graphic settings right now to as low as possible and try out the game on multiplayer, that's how many fps you can expect with the new graphics card.(although you will see a larger framedrop with SAO and shadows as they use the CPU)

IInuyasha74 · Oct 21, 2014

While you won't do high settings, maybe you will be limited to medium, if I was you I would just use the APU for now. Even a bad motherboard can give a decent GPU and CPU overclock and it should do it on medium settings I would say.

anbello262 · Oct 21, 2014

Actually, on my current setup I can't even play single player with low settings because of too low fps (lower than 30, maybe even lower than 20, even on the first mission, at the beginning).
That's caused because I'm only running my RAM as single channel (have only 1 stick), and I refuse to play at less than 1080p (lowest settings). That's why I discarded the iGPU for this game.

I was thinking about upgrading to Dual channel, but I thought my money would be better spent on a graphics card. At the moment, the game I'm most interested on playing with this PC is bf3 multiplayer, big maps.

I don't have a CPU cooler, and I don't want to buy one for this PC. I also don't think a cooler would fit on my case, meaning I can't overclock too high (currently at 4.6GHz).

Given these conditions, would it be better to buy a graphics card? Would I get acceptable frame rates?
(avg 45, min 25-30, 1080p, any quality settings)

Prices where I live:

Hyper 212 evo: $45
R7 250x: $100
R7 260x: $135
Another DDR3 4gb stick, for dual channel: $60

thor220 · Oct 21, 2014

anbello262 :

That's a tough decision. I know you didn't put it in the first post but I'm guessing your max budget is around 135 or the price of the R7 260x you listed.

They hyper 212 isn't a good choice. It might let you reach higher performance assuming that your processor can handle the OC. It's sort of a gamble

The best choice for you would be to get the extra ram. Not only will it boost your performance now but you can transfer the DDR3 memory over to any build you may have in the future.

IInuyasha74 · Oct 21, 2014

To commend on your performance, it would significantly increase if you had two sticks of RAM for dual-channel mode. See these reviews:
http://www.guru3d.com/articles_pages/amd_a10_6800k_review_apu,11.html
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/a10-6700-a10-6800k-richland-review,3528-6.html

All of the games they mentioned and tested (ie Tomb Raider, Bioshock Infinite, Metro 2033: Last Light) are much more intense on your system than Battlefield 3, and they are are newer games too. The Guru3D system manages just short of medium graphics detail at 1080p, without any overclock, and thats with small levels of AA on. AA being the biggest performance drain you can pretty much use.
Tomshardware review takes a different approach and does low settings, but with FA and FXAA on, again AA is a huge drain on performance.

Took a little work to find this:
http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/cpu/display/amd-a10-6800k_6.html#sect0

Without overclocking, not using enthusiast RAM really, they managed 26 FPS on BF3 at 1080p low settings. After an overclock, you will probably be running over 30FPS without much effort. That still probably isn't going to be enough to satisfy you into tossing extra cash into your system, so I would say instead try to get several advancements for your system to get better results.

Like above, I'm going to assume a max budget of $135

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B006WAGG14/?tag=pcpapi-20
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835214054&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&cm_sp=&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID=

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150688&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&cm_sp=&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID=

These three items are:
Ram 4GB $36
CPU Cooler $10 (After MIR)
R7 260x $87.99 (After discount code and MIR)
Total: $133.99

If you do that, you would have a much better system as you could push your CPU up to 4.6Ghz easy (I have one running at 4.6Ghz without any voltage increase on a similar but even worse cooler). You will greatly improve RAM performance and overall system feel from the RAM. In gaming you will be able to play most games at 1080p on high settings, sometimes without AA. It also comes with 2 free games from AMD.

anbello262 · Oct 21, 2014

Thanks for your responses, everyone!

I'm sorry I didn't explain thoroughly.
I don't live in USA. Where I live prices are quite different, that's why I posted the prices I could find here (converted to US$).

I don't have a problem with a budget. The main reason I want to spend as little as possible, preferably $135 (AR$2000, in my country) or less is that this is a secondary system.
My main rig is a 4690k with a 7970, but I only get to use it on the weekends. From monday/tuesday to friday I live somewhere else, where I work and study. So, on weekdays I only get about 2 hours of free time, and that's when I use this secondary system. From time to time I also have to spend my weekends here, but not very often (less than once a month).
I want to spend as little as possible on this one, because i barely use it and prefer to spend more on my main computer. I just want an enjoyable (low graphics) experience on bf3 just to keep practicing during the week and become a better player (I really suck on shooters).

So, I am trying to find the less expensive way to improve my system enough to play bf3, as I really got into that game lately.

IInuyasha74 · Oct 21, 2014

Ah well in that case if you just want a passable experience the answer is easy, get an extra stick of RAM (you might even consider taking the RAM from your main system and moving it back and forth with you if you want to be really) and use dual-channel mode. Get a cheap cooler and do a decent low overclock. I wouldn't bother with the Hyper 212 Evo, cause its actually a really good cooler and given what you just said, you don't need that much performance. There are dozens of coolers similar to the Hyper 212 Evo that will work good enough to push the clock speeds up and get you around 40FPS or better in BF3 at 1080p with low settings. You know what the Hyper 212 Evo looks like, pretty much buy the cheapest thing that looks similar and it will work fine.

anbello262 · Oct 21, 2014

Ok, thank you very much!
I'm happy to hear that my APU can handle this game at respectable fps.
I will buy a second stick of ram for this system, then.

Thank you!

MeteorsRaining · Oct 22, 2014

You need fast RAM for an APU, more like 2133MHz or higher.

IInuyasha74 · Oct 22, 2014

Yea it can do okay. I've played games on worse, but I actually built a PC for my dad which has an A10-6800k. I used it to play Total War a few times and it works well. Just watch how you change your clocks cause they can have a big impact.

Happy gaming

IInuyasha74 · Oct 22, 2014

MeteorsRaining :

No you don't. He already has the APU and a 4GB stick of RAM at 1600Mhz and it works.
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/memory-bandwidth-scaling-trinity,3419-5.html

While faster RAM helps and has a big impact, its not a requierment. For BF3, the game he most wants to play, it even looks like 1600Mhz 9-9-9-24 just has a small drop. Theres no reason to advise that he buy an entire new high Mhz 8GB kit when he can just buy a 4GB stick at 1600Mhz for much less.

MeteorsRaining · Oct 22, 2014

IInuyasha74 :

APU uses RAM for VRAM, the faster it is the better. 1600MHz is like the lowest to go with, if he wants better performance having more and faster sticks will indeed make a significant difference.

anbello262 · Oct 22, 2014

Actually, i do have a 1600MT/s stick, but it's overclocked to 2133 10-12-11-30, and I did notice some impact on my fps. If I get a second stick probably I won't be able to overclock it so high (as it wouldn't come from the same kit, so not as stable I believe), but I will try to get what I can out of it.

My first stick is a Gskill Ripjaws 1600 CL9 1x4GB.
What would be best, to get the exact same stick, or to get a different, higher quality one (price being the same)?

I can get a ripjaws X or sniper for about the same price.

EucleX · Oct 22, 2014

If you want or have a discrete GPU, don't buy the A10 and get an Athlon X4 750 or 760k. The Athlon has the same power as the A10 but without an integrated GPU so it has a more bang for the buck. It is a lot cheaper than the A10 also.

IInuyasha74 · Oct 22, 2014

Yes, again of course iGPU uses system RAM. Its an iGPU, and of course faster RAM helps. Overclock is a good idea, but theres no reason to suggest to him that he needs to buy a new 8GB kit when it will work fine with that RAM he already has.

As for what to buy, your best option is to buy one exactly the same, or as close to the same as you can find. If they are different, you increase the chances of instability. Different RAM might work, but typically you are best to try and keep it all the same.

anbello262 · Oct 22, 2014

Oh, ok. I will try to get the exact same stick, then. Thank you!

And, EucleX, as I believe I stated above, I already have this system, with the APU.

anbello262 · Oct 22, 2014

Just a last question.
I have a spare intel stock cooler (the copper one) from my i5-4690k. Is there a way to fit this in my AMD FM2 motherboard?
I believe that cooler would be quite better than the AMD stock one I'm using.

EDIT: Nevermind, I was reading around and saw that it's not possible.

IInuyasha74 · Oct 22, 2014

Yea sorry the stock cooler from Intel won't do it. Its a fairly decent little cooler, but Intel for sure doesn't want you using it on competing products. Honestly a cooler isn't completely necessary, just would help a little. If you couldn't get one for real cheap, like under $20 I wouldn't bother at all.

anbello262 · Oct 22, 2014

I will end up buying a 212 for my next build (for my girflriend, christmas), so I might as well buy some parts now and use them meanwhile... The cooler and a pair of good ram sticks would be something I can get now and use for her build. I think I might do that as soon as my paycheck arrives.

A10-6800k w/ discrete graphics, how good will it be?

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