Looking for the best AM3+ CPU / Is it worth the upgrade

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isaacjohnwildsmith

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Nov 12, 2014
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Hey guys,

I'm currently using running my PC with an AMD8320 CPU and feel like it is holding back the rest of my system back. I'm looking to upgrade the CPU but I don't know if its worth upgrading yet. I should also add that I have no skills in overclocking and would honestly rather avoid the hassle of doing it. The only overclocking I have done was through the AMD Catalyst Control Center where I brought the CPU from 3.5GHZ to a stable 4.4GHZ.

My question is: should I upgrade to a better AMD CPU and if so which one? would I see a considerable performance increase?

Thanks for any help!
 
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Darkbreeze
This would definitely get you where you want to be, consists of ALL high quality components, fully supports your SLI configuration and provides for memory that can be used on future upgrades. Your DDR3 would only save you a small amount and would be useless on any future platforms.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-6600K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($238.99 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: CRYORIG H7 49.0 CFM CPU Cooler ($43.45 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z170X-Gaming 5 ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($149.99 @ Micro Center)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws 4 series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-2133 Memory ($52.99 @ Newegg)
Total:...
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Darkbreeze

Darkbreeze

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Jun 24, 2014
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There is no CURRENT AMD CPU you can upgrade to that's going to offer you anything in the way of improved performance. IPC on all current FX Piledriver processors is the same, with the same architecture. If you can safely increase your overclock a bit, you might gain a small amount of improvement, otherwise a switch to an Intel platform is about the only thing that's going to increase your CPU performance. All the FX Piledriver 8 core chips are the same silicone. You won't see anything noticeably faster by upgrading to an 8350, 8370, 9370 or 9590. If your 8320 is fairly good, you can probably achieve the same clock speeds as any of those can offer, but honestly, at 4.4Ghz, you're about at the extent to which performance is going to see any benefits.

In December I swapped my 8320 out for a 6700k and the difference is night and day in almost everything.

 
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Darkbreeze

Darkbreeze

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Jun 24, 2014
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No, it will not be AM3+. Release date is tentatively late 2016 or early 2017. Indications are that it's performance is going to be about what Intel's LAST generation chips were, which means by the time they release, it will still be about two generations behind Intel on IPC.
 
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isaacjohnwildsmith

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Nov 12, 2014
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Its a Noctua NH-D14 Cooler, I have checked the temps in the past, and this cooler keeps my CPU really cool.

I guess I should consider swapping to Intel then, any recommendations for gaming?
 
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isaacjohnwildsmith

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Nov 12, 2014
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I currently have 16G of ram at 1700 so idk if I need any more, and I'm willing to spend between $400-$600 on a new CPU and mobo. Doesn't have to be the best CPU or anything crazy. Just something that will let me run most current games on high to max graphics.

I currently have 2 SLI GTX NVidias 970 SSC
 
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Darkbreeze

Darkbreeze

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What is your current case and power supply model. What do you mean by 16G at 1700? That doesn't conform to any known memory specification. Memory tends to be 1066, 1333, 1600, 1866, 2133, 2400, etc. I'm guessing you mean 16GB of 1600mhz and that 1700 was a typo?

 
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Darkbreeze

Darkbreeze

Retired Mod
Jun 24, 2014
80,411
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176,790
This would definitely get you where you want to be, consists of ALL high quality components, fully supports your SLI configuration and provides for memory that can be used on future upgrades. Your DDR3 would only save you a small amount and would be useless on any future platforms.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-6600K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($238.99 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: CRYORIG H7 49.0 CFM CPU Cooler ($43.45 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z170X-Gaming 5 ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($149.99 @ Micro Center)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws 4 series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-2133 Memory ($52.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $485.42
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-07-04 21:24 EDT-0400



If you REALLY wanted to go as minimal as possible, and reuse the memory you currently have, you could do something like this and still have a pretty good machine with terrific gaming potential.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($209.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: Asus Z97-A/USB 3.1 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($109.99 @ NCIX US)
Total: $319.98
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-07-04 21:29 EDT-0400
 
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Shadevil

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Jan 25, 2016
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I am going to regret this :)

But I have to ask - can you specify "experiencing CPU bottleneck"? Because I do have only FX 4300 as the heart of my gaming rig (16GB RAM, R 380 2GB - dont ask about the CPU ok? :) and yes I will 'upgrade' to FX 8370 later on, presumably when Zen will tear its price down) and I never had a single case of FPS drop in Fallout 4 on max or in War Thunder on "movie" while making low pass over burning city with my plane - usualy I have rock stable 60 fps (V.Sync locked ) and in most unbeliavable scenes the deepest drop I had was to 45 fps... Which I may not experience for days !

To be honest - I do not record videos during playing neither I stream videos during playing. I just play. I have 'only' Full HD monitor (and resolution) and I did the tests on the Steam for VR readiness prior upgrading my OS to W10 - out of 5 attempts it was allways on the bottom edge - two time just so-so making it to ready, three times it was not ready (yet the graphs were on the edge). But personaly I think that upon connecting VR device to my PC, the rig would go on strike no matter what :)

Sure indeed intel is MOAR right now, but... FX CPUs are ok for todays gaming (future may be dark though :) )
 
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