Is my CPU good enough for my GPU?

kb33 · Jun 22, 2016

Okay, so for my build I'm getting a AMD FX-6300, and I'm thinking about getting a Sapphire Radeon R9 380. This is my first build, so I'm not a complete expert, but do you think my system will reach it's full FPS potential without a better CPU, or do you think I need a better CPU to work better on games, etc.

Like I said, I'm not an expert, so this might sound sort of dumb.

Zerk2012 · Jun 22, 2016

I would buy a Intel i3 processor before a FX 6300.

kb33 · Jun 22, 2016

Zerk2012 :

The AMD FX-6300 is a tiny but better performance wise. I also have seen multiple videos recommending the AMD FX-6300, so I think I'll stick with that.

turkey3_scratch · Jun 22, 2016

kb33 :

The I3 is a superior CPU for gaming. The 6300 is also on a dead platform with no upgrade path.

kb33 · Jun 22, 2016

turkey3_scratch :

kb33 :

The I3 is a superior CPU for gaming. The 6300 is also on a dead platform with no upgrade path.

What do you mean by no upgrade path?

CV_Taihou · Jun 22, 2016

kb33 :

FX series processors are being discontinued at the end of the year. There's no way to upgrade the CPU short of buying a new motherboard and processor (more than likely RAM as well). You're much better off going with the i3

turkey3_scratch · Jun 22, 2016

Nothing to upgrade to for better performance without also upgrading the motherboard and RAM. An I3-6100 system I would recommend, but that or the FX-6300 should be fine with an R9 380.

kb33 · Jun 22, 2016

CV_Taihou :

Okay thanks for letting me know they're getting discontinued. Do you have a good motherboard that I could use with the i3-6100? for around $90 or less? And also, will I have to get a new motherboard each time I want to upgrade my intel CPU? Like if I want to get an i7 later, would I need another motherboard for that? (Preferably an ATX mobo) Thanks.

turkey3_scratch · Jun 22, 2016

No if you want an I7 you just get the new CPU. ATX size board or micro ATX?

Matthughes576 · Jun 22, 2016

but keep in mind that the i3 is only dual core so some games will refuse to run on it. If you can squeeze it in your budget i suggest an i5 4430-4690k

turkey3_scratch · Jun 22, 2016

Matthughes576 :

Not true it executes 4 threads so no games will refuse to run on it.

kb33 · Jun 22, 2016

turkey3_scratch :

I would want an ATX motherboard, but a micro-ATX will be fine if it's cheaper.

turkey3_scratch · Jun 22, 2016

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

Motherboard: ASRock H170A-X1 ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($84.37 @ Newegg)
Total With 10% Tax & Shipping: $84.37
Without: $73.99
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-06-22 22:05 EDT-0400

kb33 · Jun 22, 2016

turkey3_scratch :

Thanks. This motherboard looks perfect for my build. This motherboard will work with the i3-6100 right? And should I use Kingston DDR4 ram for this? Anyways, thanks for all the answers, don't know what I would have done without you.

turkey3_scratch · Jun 22, 2016

Indeed it will, it will even work with an I7-6700K (though you wouldn't be able to overclock it). Kingston Hyper X Fury DDR4 2133Mhz memory is great memory. Make sure you get DDR4.

kb33 · Jun 22, 2016

turkey3_scratch :

Okay thanks

Looking over that mobo, that's a great deal for all the things included. 64gb ram max, ddr4, intel cpu's. Wow

turkey3_scratch · Jun 22, 2016

The nice thing about Intel's latest CPUs is that they are very efficient, so you'll find that even a $50 motherboard will do the job but with AMD you will often want a more expensive motherboard with a better VRM to handle the CPUs with higher power requirements.

kb33 · Jun 22, 2016

turkey3_scratch :

Very interesting. It seems that big, fast computers often use Intel, not AMD. Is that because they're faster, or because AMD doesn't have many fast CPU's??? Oh, just forgot, will I need a sound card with that mobo?

turkey3_scratch · Jun 22, 2016

kb33 :

AMD has not released a viable CPU architecture for some number of years. Zen is coming out later this year, so we will finally have newer AMD chips with better instructions per clock (where Intel really beats AMD). You will not need a sound card, the only reason to get a sound card is if you do professional audio; motherboards have sound cards built in.

AMD has of course jacked down their prices long since their CPUs have come out, so they are still competitive in the low-end market, but AMD's CPUs primarily benefit in heavily multi-threaded situations (like rendering, for instance) whereas for gaming and other tasks that mainly task a couple cores very hard Intel CPUs thrive. Both have their benefits, don't get me wrong. It's all very based on opinion, but you'll find that most people would recommend getting an Intel chip since it is a modern design with an upgrade path, and you get the benefits of newer motherboards like improved DDR4 memory.

kb33 · Jun 22, 2016

turkey3_scratch :

kb33 :

AMD has not released a viable CPU architecture for some number of years. Zen is coming out later this year, so we will finally have newer AMD chips with better instructions per clock (where Intel really beats AMD). You will not need a sound card, the only reason to get a sound card is if you do professional audio; motherboards have sound cards built in.

AMD has of course jacked down their prices long since their CPUs have come out, so they are still competitive in the low-end market, but AMD's CPUs primarily benefit in heavily multi-threaded situations (like rendering, for instance) whereas for gaming and other tasks that mainly task a couple cores very hard Intel CPUs thrive. Both have their benefits, don't get me wrong. It's all very based on opinion, but you'll find that most people would recommend getting an Intel chip since it is a modern design with an upgrade path, and you get the benefits of newer motherboards like improved DDR4 memory.

Makes sense.

Is my CPU good enough for my GPU?

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