Ugrade path for AMD user?

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MrSomebody

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Dec 3, 2015
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Ugrade path for AMD user? I've got fx4100, 8gb ram, 970a-g43, and hd6950. I've been trying to figure out a decent upgrade (cpu/gpu).
Will fx8300 and 970 will be good enough? I keep hearing that both fx6300/fx8300 bottleneck the 970, but I keep finding videos on youtube, where pretty much every new game(far cry 4, battlefield(multiplayer) gets smooth gameplay and above average fps.
Im posting here because i can play battlefield hardline, battlefield 4 and other games on high, without any problems. Thanks.
 
Solution
geofelt
Your motherboard is not suitable for a FX-8350.
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/id-2384024/motherboard-tier-list-970-chipset.html
Moreover, few games can use more than 2-3 cores.
For most games, it is the performance of the master thread that matters.
Your FX-4100 master thread passmark rating is 1220.
FX-6300 is 1409.
By comparison, the single thread rating of a modern skylake i3-6100 is 2085.
core speed is most important for games such as strategy , sims, and mmo.
Games such as fast action shooters depend more on graphics cards.
Only in the arena of multiplayer games with lots of perticipants does many cores help.

Here is my stock approach to finding out what YOU need:

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Bossyfins

Bossyfins

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Dec 27, 2014
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If the games you play are fine for you, then do nothing. But if you are havibng low FPS, then you will want to switch to Intel. The thing is AMD FX has very little upgrade path because same architecture but something like an 8350 vs a 6300, they are similar because games don't use many cores. Much more single threaded performance.

You can get an i5 6400 with a cheap z170 board, overclock it, and basically beat AMD fX systems/ You can also get an 8320 and a 970a-ud3p and OC that and get something like a 380 x
 
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MrSomebody

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Dec 3, 2015
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First of all I've always been intel fanboy so to say. But I got this amd build for bargain price. Now the 83xx series is a no go, as the board i have is popular of going up in smoke.... I know that amd is a cheaper option vs intel, but lets face it- you dont have to overclock like crazy,jus to beat something that actually performs really well while on stock. But thats not the point. Will fx8300 (i'd go with 63xx, but the 6core vs 8core difference is about 5pounds... so better shoot for the stars..?) be decent enough for 970? I'd hate to go with 960, its not too big of improvement over 6950 (i was looking @gtx680 2gb to be honest, since this radeon just gets on my nerves... ). But if I go with 970, will I be able to enjoy wildlands on high/ultra? I have 1440x900 monitor (not into all 1080p stuff, although i've connected pc to my tv which is HD just to compare ps4 game quality to pc... ). Yes i know, i5 4960k+970+ z97 and everyhing is nice and so on, but im on amd... :/
 
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geofelt

geofelt

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Oct 9, 2006
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Your motherboard is not suitable for a FX-8350.
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/id-2384024/motherboard-tier-list-970-chipset.html
Moreover, few games can use more than 2-3 cores.
For most games, it is the performance of the master thread that matters.
Your FX-4100 master thread passmark rating is 1220.
FX-6300 is 1409.
By comparison, the single thread rating of a modern skylake i3-6100 is 2085.
core speed is most important for games such as strategy , sims, and mmo.
Games such as fast action shooters depend more on graphics cards.
Only in the arena of multiplayer games with lots of perticipants does many cores help.

Here is my stock approach to finding out what YOU need:

------------------------------------------------------------
To help clarify your CPU/GPU options, run these two tests:

a) Run YOUR games, but lower your resolution and eye candy.
If your FPS increases, it indicates that your cpu is strong enough to drive a better graphics configuration.
If your FPS stays the same, you are likely more cpu limited.

b) Limit your cpu, either by reducing the OC, or, in windows power management, limit the maximum cpu% to something like 70%.
Go to control panel/power options/change plan settings/change advanced power settings/processor power management/maximum processor state/
This will simulate what a lack of cpu power will do.
Conversely what a 30% improvement in core speed might do.

You should also experiment with removing one core. You can do this in the windows msconfig boot advanced options option. set the number of processors to less than you have.
This will tell you how sensitive your games are to the benefits of many cores.

If your FPS drops significantly, it is an indicator that your cpu is the limiting factor, and a cpu upgrade is in order.

It is possible that both tests are positive, indicating that you have a well balanced system, and both cpu and gpu need to be upgraded to get better gaming FPS.
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Solution
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MrSomebody

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Dec 3, 2015
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10,510


I know about vrm issue on these boards(as well the custom mosfet heatsink projects that are found across various forums, however if I dont OC the cpu will it suffice?
About your testing advice- I do believe that fx4100 is heavily outdated cpu, so upgrade is required anyway.
My gpu is IceQ HD6950 ( http://www.hisdigital.com/gb/product2-611.shtml ) , it does a proper job on Battlefield 4(ultra, minus AA and couple other options), Battlefield Hardline(high, even with same engine bf4 uses), but struggles with Far Cry 4.
As I said before- I figured to go with gtx680,but even if its a margin more powerfull, its still an old card. gtx960 is a newer card, but it doesnt outperform both of previous cards to see big improvement. I would like to stay out of ATi GPus for various reasons, but nvidias next card is 970. I searched through this forum , and most treads says, that fx6300 limits 970, even 8350 must be OC to cope with 970. So its a stalemate: I cant get an 8350 because my board is s#it. Even if I get x99 board and decent cooler, I have to OC and it still might not be enough. So Im left in confusion about my next step. It cant be, im left with either getting new board(basically- whole new system and start to OC to squeeze every mhz out of pretty much everything, or sit tight and just save up more cash and go intel.... I hope i explained my situation. Cheers
 
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geofelt

geofelt

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Oct 9, 2006
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Your 6950 is a decent but older card.
If you are going to upgrade a graphics card, it should be several tiers better or you are going to be disappointed in not seeing great improvements.
That means a GTX960 at least, a GTX680 is similar, and really, if you are gaming at 1080P, a GTX970.
The easy upgrade first is the graphics card. But, I fear that the FX4100 is so slow that you would not see big improvement . If you do not see improvement by lowering the graphics load you have a good indication that a better graphics card is only going to bring marginal benefits.
Then, it is time to bite the bullet and change motherboard and cpu.
 
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