Help me choose a processor!

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GJontyz

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Dec 14, 2014
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Hi guys! Im new here and im about to build my first PC, but i need help choosing a processor and motherboard (compatible with the processor) for my build, preferably AMD cause they are cheaper and i dont want to spend too much money into my first build. I just want a processor that doesnt bottleneck my GPU which is a Radeon 280 DirectCU II. I really dont know much about motherboards, ive read guides but it makes no sense to me so anything that works with the processor would be fine. As of right now i do not have any plans on overclocking but if it's necessary to not bottleneck the GPU or makes it cheaper i'll do it. Also it would be very nice if you guys could link/tip some guides on how to do that. From what ive heard some motherboards are better at overclocking than others so i understand that the cheapest ones might not be able to overclock as much as the higher end ones. And as i said i dont want to spend too much money on this so preferably the cheapest combo that doesnt bottleneck my GPU. By the way here is my build if you guys need that: http://pcpartpicker.com/user/Jontyz/saved/k7MmP6
Also let me know if you guys would change anything to my build! I'm open for suggestions! Or maybe i misunderstood something about all this? I dont know, i just wanna "hear" your opinion! Thanks!
//PS I know the stock cooler isnt enough for overclocking in most cases so i will be adding a EVO if im going to overclock.
 
Solution
synphul
It depends what your budget is. Some amd's can be cheaper, but will end up costing you in the long run. Intel's are a little more expensive, but you can oc an intel 'k' cpu as well. The current amd desktop cpu's are re-releases of 2yr old chips and as far as I've heard no plans for anything in the desktop arena anytime soon. Intel's also outperform amd's and in games (even multi threaded) single core performance still has a large impact.

The reason I say amd can cost you in the long run, there's no real upgrade path at the moment. So you invest in an amd cpu and motherboard and next time around you'll be right back to a new cpu and motherboard. If you go z97 with intel, you can use a variety of new chips - the pentium g3258, i3, i5...
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GJontyz

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Dec 14, 2014
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Whats the difference between 990 and 970 and i wouldnt need to overclock my CPU if i got a 6300 fx or 8320 fx?
 
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LookItsRain

LookItsRain

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PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4460 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($172.94 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($26.75 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: ASRock H97 PRO4 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($81.00 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: G.Skill Sniper Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-2400 Memory ($65.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: EVGA 750W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $396.66
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-12-15 13:07 EST-0500

No overclocking needed, better psu, much better single core performance.
 
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GJontyz

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Dec 14, 2014
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Thanks! I will consider that build!
 
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GJontyz

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Dec 14, 2014
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Just 2 things, if im not going to overclock the CPU do i really need the extra CPU cooler? And it says this on Partpicker: "The G.Skill Sniper Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-2400 Memory operating voltage of 1.65V exceeds the Intel Haswell Refresh CPU recommended maximum of 1.5V+5% (1.575V). This memory module may run at a reduced clock rate to meet the 1.5V voltage recommendation, or may require running at a voltage greater than the Intel recommended maximum." What does this mean?
 
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LookItsRain

LookItsRain

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You dont need the evo, but the stock cooler is loud and temps would go into the 70s. The ram isnt an issue as far as i know. Im running higher voltage ram on my machine and nothing has happened.
 
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synphul

synphul

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Mar 11, 2011
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It depends what your budget is. Some amd's can be cheaper, but will end up costing you in the long run. Intel's are a little more expensive, but you can oc an intel 'k' cpu as well. The current amd desktop cpu's are re-releases of 2yr old chips and as far as I've heard no plans for anything in the desktop arena anytime soon. Intel's also outperform amd's and in games (even multi threaded) single core performance still has a large impact.

The reason I say amd can cost you in the long run, there's no real upgrade path at the moment. So you invest in an amd cpu and motherboard and next time around you'll be right back to a new cpu and motherboard. If you go z97 with intel, you can use a variety of new chips - the pentium g3258, i3, i5, i7 - and it will accept broadwell which is the next intel chip coming in 2015.

Here's a few links that might be useful for comparisons.

http://elitegamingcomputers.com/the-best-gaming-cpus/

http://udteam.tistory.com/647

Looking at the results of the second link, aside from a few games where intel really outperforms the amd lineup, in just about every game the fx 8350 and even the 9590 are right about on par with intel i3's. Basically an i3 4360 right now is $129 and offers the same performance as the fx 8350 which is currently $159. Amd's current top end cpu's are struggling to keep pace with intel's lower end i3's, let alone mid level i5's.

If you're worried about price, the pentium g3258 is $65 right now and can be overclocked extremely well. It'll still play sleeping dogs at over 70fps at 1080. It too can be paired with a z97 motherboard and leave you the ability to only have to upgrade the cpu into the same socket down the road. I'm just having a hard time recommending amd for a new build, budget or otherwise given the current status.
 
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GJontyz

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Dec 14, 2014
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Alright, thanks alot to everyone who contributed to this thread <3, i have decided to go with Intel, feels kind of obvious now when i read the articles synphul linked (thanks alot for those). I am still not sure if i should go for the i5 4460 or the i5 4690k. I do not plan on overclocking but still, it's just a $39 difference where i am.. And just one last thing, which motherboard should i go for if i choose the i5 4460/i5 4690k and im not going to overclock? Or should i make a new thread about that?
 
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