Need Upgrade Advice, AMD or Intel?

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FrankenMuttPC

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Dec 12, 2015
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Hey gang, I know this is a common thread here, but I figured I would throw my hat in the ring as to trying to gain some knowledge and insight.

I have read similar postings, but wanted to see what you advice the community might have for me. I have built systems in the past, But nothing in the current generation of pieces and parts.

I am looking into upgrading my current rig, which I have dubbed FrankenMutt.

Here are the Specs:

Old Parts
AMD Athlon 64 X2 4200+
Gigabyte M68SM-S2 motherboard
4gb of DDR2 PC-6400 Memeory
NVIDIA Gegorce 7300LE (out of my old Dell system)

New Parts:

PNY Nvidia GeForce GT730 2GB DDR3 (won't work with motherboard)
Corsair CX 750 PSU
WD Blue 500gb HDD
Antec Case

As you can tell from the specs listed, this thing is a dinosaur in today's landscape, but it will run Windows 10, although it is quite slow.

I currently use it for school, primarily online. It does well for age and speed of components, but the Geforce 7300Le is showing its age, has trouble with 2 monitors. It has been having trouble, has begun to over heat even with a fan rigged to it,.

I have been debating on which brand to go with as far as upgrading the CPU.

My budget is around 300 to 400 bucks for the core three components, I would like to get into playing some of the more modern games, but I am not looking to do 1080p or 4k, just a decent attempt at a few things.

I have been looking at the AMD X4 860k and the G3258.

But to be honest, I am lost, i have read and researched, but really have no idea. I have read that neither one has an upgrade path in the future as both sockets seem to be at the end of their life spans, but feel that new tech would be out of my price range. With the bugs in the system I don't feel I can wait to see. Any advice or direction would be highly appreciated.

 
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FrankenMuttPC

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Dec 12, 2015
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That is one of the reasons I was looking into the G3258, but I had read that the chip didn't play well with Windows 10, has this been resolved, can't seem to find much info on it now.

Also have heard under currents that newer games like 4 cores instead of 2. But I will not be playing maxed out settings and will have a dedicated graphics card to carry the load.

The LG1150 socket does offer a larger selection of newer CPU alternatives than the FM2+ platform seems to.

From all I have read lately, I am unsure if AMD is a viable solution at this point. Their price points are definitely lower than Intel, but quality and performance seem to be lacking comparatively speaking.

This build will need to be viable and to a point up-gradable for the nest 3 years at least. I can justify a new CPU over a CPU/Mobo swap out.

 
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Tradesman1

Tradesman1

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I've got both - I run a pair of 4770K rigs, am playing with a 6600K (Skylake) build and on the AMD side built a 8370 based rig (mainly for helping out on the forums). The AMD just doesn't compare, my previous Ivy Bridge (3570K rig) was a better over all rig than the 8370. If you pair the G3258 with a Z170 you'll be able to upgrade to even the K model Haswell chips and OC to your hearts content for even longer life
 
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FrankenMuttPC

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Dec 12, 2015
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Given that this is a starter system, I think that your correct that the G3258 paired with the right motherboard would be the best option in the realm of longevity an possible upgrade in the future.

Do you know anything about the issue it had/has with Windows 10? At this point that would be the only stumbling block for me.
 
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superstition

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Feb 27, 2009
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"I would like to get into playing some of the more modern games"

The Anniversary Pentium has already had to have patching in several games just to get them to start. It does not bode well for the future. It only has 2 threads total. The argument that it's a better choice because the board will support a better chip later is silly because it makes sense to spend less on the better chip now than to throw away money on a chip that's going to have to be replaced because it already is having issues with compatibility and performance due to just having 2 threads.

That said, your system is weak so those games you're playing are going to have to be on low settings. Both of those GPUs are awful. DDR3 GPUs are ancient history.

With your small budget and ancient stuff you should probably just get an AMD APU if you want to upgrade. That would give you enough left over to buy some high-speed DDR3 RAM. You can probably get a decent bundle price at Microcenter if you have one nearby.

AMD APU, board, 2133 - 2400 speed RAM

What would be better, though, is to get one of the AMD 6 core bundles and a reasonably decent GPU like a 270X.
 
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superstition

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OK. I just looked at Microcenter pricing. The board isn't that great but it's very cheap. Just don't overclock with it.

AMD FX 6300 — $90
ASRock 970M Pro3 AM3 mATX board — $10 AR with bundle pricing
$123 total with tax

from Newegg:

Crucial Tactical Tracer 1866 RAM, 8 GB (2 x 4), 1.5V, CAS 9 = $40
CRYORIG H7 CPU cooler = $34.50

total price $197.50

add a fan for the VRMs because that board will need active cooling for the heatsink.

You'll need a decent PSU, case, and GPU. You could go with a low profile cooler if you want to use a compact case.
 
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g-unit1111

g-unit1111

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What is an "Anniversary Pentium"? I have not heard of such a CPU. And making the 6 core argument is not a valid one as I don't know how many times I have to say this, but the AMD FX processors are years old tech on a dead end platform. The only reason FX processors are still relevant are because they're cheap. If it weren't for the cost nobody would buying AMD right now. Nobody. And no amount of fanboy conspiracy theories can say otherwise. As everyone else suggested I'd stick with the Pentium G, and then upgrade to the i5 or i7 when you can, as that will be far better in the long run.
 
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FrankenMuttPC

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Dec 12, 2015
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I have used AMD for a long time, but have to admit that of late what they have to offer has not really been refreshed in quite awhile.

Granted the multi core options sound adequate, but everything seems to be at the end of its life span. There really is nothing out yet about what the new Zen architecture that is supposedly coming our Q1 or Q2 next year, and I would be willing to bet the price point for the new stuff will be well out of my budget.

I have heard and read good things about both Intel and AMD.

Lets face it, from what I am running now, an upgrade to either one will be a dramatic improvement.

I guess I am not completely up on the current gen, but why is DDR3 bad in my GPU? I know its not the best, but shouldn't it be adequate until I decide on a newer card? Its not like I am gonna run out and expect to play Battlefron on ultra high settings right out the gate.

Are the AMD 6 and 8 core chips really what they present them selves to be?
 
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Tradesman1

Tradesman1

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When they were released they were released they were being outperformed by Intel CPUs that were already a couple years old. At the release of the 8350 was released in Oct of 2012 at it's release, the only thing it could beat my 2500K (Jan 2011) at was video rendering, and those CPU's were discontinued 3 months later (the 2500Ks, since then in the i5's there has been the 3570K, the 4670K, 4690K and now the 6600K each increasing performance roughly 10% or more
 
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FrankenMuttPC

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Dec 12, 2015
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The more I look into it, I don't really see where spending good money on AMD is worth it at this point. I may not be able to upgrade again for a couple of years and I want good stable performance for the coin I am going to lay out. Want to get the best I can.

I realize its not bleeding edge tech, but I don't really need it to be as the primary purpose for this upgrade is school, and if it can play a few games I might be interested in attempting to play. Would prefer Quad core to keep it somewhat current.

I just have never had an Intel system before.

I hate spending money on something I am not sure I will like or will perform the way I need it to.
 
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FrankenMuttPC

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Dec 12, 2015
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I do have to say, Jay on Jayztwocents on YouTube just built a badass AMD FX-8370. Looked pretty sweet. Still undecided at this poing, just because I am that way. still trying to see what will unfold.
 
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