Going AMD for first time

[SPEED94]

Hello guys,
Need a bit of help round here. As the name goes , i am deciding to switch over to amd after a decade of using intel. I bought a i7 core laptop a month ago- thought it would help me in my studies on in gas well as games. But even after using a wireless keyboard and mouse I couldn't get the satisfactiaming as in a desktop (The resolution and fps is nice though).Maybe this is because of the years of gaming in desktop.So I need to upgrade my desktop in low tight budget. Having found no suitable 3 Ghz Core2Quad in my budget I thought of buying a AMD PHENOM 2 X4 CPU as it comes well in my budget. But recently heard that perfomance per clock cycle is different for AMD and Intel even in same Clock frequency....Intel being superior. Some also advised me to go for Core i3 2100 3.10 Ghz. Though a dual core it works fine with all except a little problem with Battlefield 3. I plan to buy a Sapphire ATI Radeon HD 6450 and its budget is seperate.

Please help.I would be only using the PC for gaming. Resolution preferred is 1360*768. Thanks in Advance.

 

[Sunius]

Intel is really better for gaming. i3 is dual core, but it's faster than quad core Phenom.

Note: HD 6450 will not work for Battlefield 3.

 

[sam_p_lay]

Yeah if you're just looking for a change then go for it I suppose, but the Intel options will game better. And like Sunius says, you'll need to throw more money at graphics if you don't want to be restricted in what you can play.

 

[technoholic]

Are you planing to build new or upgrade your existing system? can you give information about your setup if you want upgrading existing system?

 

[SPEED94]

Thanks for the info.And I will Put more money on the gpu. planning to buy a GDDR5 1 gb. And THEN the i3 is better option than Phenom2 x4 965 ? Meaning just ensuring so that at least the chip can help me out with all the recent games at least in medium settings though....

 

[Sunius]

Yes, it is. Unless the Phenom is Black Edition one and you plan to overclock.

 

[SPEED94]

I am gonna upgrade...Since I am running low on budget. The existing system info would not give you much Idea...its a oldage P4 system.I would be changing the mobo/GPU/Ram/CPU.The HDD is some 250 Gb and the SMPS gives around 450W. So I am okay with that-I guess. Would change the HDD LATER WHEN i GET THE required amount.I basically never turned towards this machine after 2006. Did my gaming on the Dual core that I sold for the laptop.But now my budget leaves me no option and I guess its time to dump the P4.

 

[technoholic]

I am gonna upgrade...Since I am running low on budget. The existing system info would not give you much Idea...its a oldage P4 system.I would be changing the mobo/GPU/Ram/CPU.The HDD is some 250 Gb and the SMPS gives around 450W. So I am okay with that-I guess. Would change the HDD LATER WHEN i GET THE required amount.I basically never turned towards this machine after 2006. Did my gaming on the Dual core that I sold for the laptop.But now my budget leaves me no option and I guess its time to dump the P4.

Perhaps it may be better for you to build new. So many parts need to be upgraded this way and your power sup. probably needs to be upgarded too

 

[technoholic]

Ok less talk more work Here is what you can get for a very tight budget. First one is intel based build, kind of low CPU power but shed more capital for a HD 7770. No PSU in build. Use your existing PSU at your own risk. And no HDD. This build can show some eyecandy giving you some medium detail level at many game titles but still a low-specification system.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Pentium G860 3.0GHz Dual-Core Processor ($67.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ECS P67H2-A ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($64.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($19.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon HD 7770 1GB Video Card ($115.50 @ NCIX US)
Case: MSI TC- (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($24.99 @ Microcenter)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($17.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Total: $311.45
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-11-28 09:30 EST-0500)

 

[technoholic]

Second build has an APU with no external GPU. A8 CPU has 7560 GPU on board, can give you some gaming but not silky frames in most titles. This system is low-end and can't give the experience similar to that with a 7770. No PSU, NO HDD, NO monitor and NO OS.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD A8-5600K 3.6GHz Quad-Core Processor ($104.99 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: ASRock FM2A55M-DGS Micro ATX FM2 Motherboard ($55.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($35.99 @ Newegg)
Case: MSI TC- (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($24.99 @ Microcenter)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($17.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Total: $239.94
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-11-28 09:40 EST-0500)

 

[technoholic]

And this AMD build is fr your tight budget also. No PSU, NO HDD, NO monitor and NO OS. I believe this can give a better gaming experience than with the intel build. Can do overclock

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD Phenom II X4 955 Black 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($81.99 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus 76.8 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($14.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock 770iCafe ATX AM3 Motherboard ($62.55 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair XMS3 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($37.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: MSI Radeon HD 7770 1GB Video Card ($109.99 @ Microcenter)
Case: MSI TC- (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($24.99 @ Microcenter)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($17.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Total: $350.49
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-11-28 09:49 EST-0500)

 

[Scott_D_Bowen]

I plan to buy a Sapphire ATI Radeon HD 6450 and its budget is seperate..

- Will that card be any better than your laptops 'weak' (relatively) 3D performance anyway?


Sounds like you're just throwing money away... (Maybe I'm missing something).

 

[JDFan]

And this AMD build is fr your tight budget also. No PSU, NO HDD, NO monitor and NO OS. I believe this can give a better gaming experience than with the intel build. Can do overclock

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD Phenom II X4 955 Black 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($81.99 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus 76.8 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($14.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock 770iCafe ATX AM3 Motherboard ($62.55 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair XMS3 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($37.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: MSI Radeon HD 7770 1GB Video Card ($109.99 @ Microcenter)
Case: MSI TC- (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($24.99 @ Microcenter)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($17.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Total: $350.49
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-11-28 09:49 EST-0500)

This is a decent build and if budget is tight can save the $18 on the DVD drive and $25 on the case by reusing the old system's and then could cut another $15 using the stock CPU heatsink (if not OCing it will be fine) - and if still need more cuts swap the 7770 @$110 and go with a 6770 @ $95 for another $15 saving - which puts the total @ $277.49

 

[technoholic]

JDFan you have good points there. Although i'll have to disagree on GPU part. There's generation difference between these 2 cards. While the price difference is only 15 bucks, i believe the difference in performance, power consumption, fan noise, overclocking headroom will more than justify that less of price difference. Actually i'd pick that MSI 7770 with special promo discount (87 bucks at newegg--- this card is a Ghz edition by the way) in this build but it is out of stock right now. See it yourself:

http://pcpartpicker.com/part/msi-video-card-r7770pmd1gd5

No brainer for the price IMO

 

[iyzik]

I would say go with the the Pentium G860 3GHz and an HD 7770. The Pentium is not bad at all, I played BF3 with a GTX 550 Ti and G860 at med/high @ 900p. Also I played with only 4 gigs of ram, really dont even need 8 but it is nice.
So on the lower rez you have, I think that'd actually play bf3 quite well.

EDIT: And frankly I'd drop the optical drive also and put more money into a GPU. 6850? I've never ever had a disk drive in any of my desktops, when I need to install Windows I just use laptop drive to copy data onto USB and write a boot sector. Or for drivers you just copy data from cd/DVD to flash drive.
But that's kinda my thing, some people I'm sure would find this ^ unthinkable.

 

[SPEED94]

mY laptop specs ? well..here it is

It is a DELL INSPIRON 14R TURBO

Processor 3rd Generation Intel® Core™ i7-3632QM processor (6M Cache, up to 3.2 GHz)
Display 14.0"(35.6cm) HD WLED True-Life (1366x768)
Memory 8GB 2 DIMM (4GB x2) DDR3 1600Mhz
Hard Drive 1TB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive
Video Card NVIDIA GeForce GT 640M DDR3 2GB

I think that should be all.

 

[SPEED94]

HellO , thanks for the info but i do not get why you are giving me an entire system budget. I only want the cpu and the GPU.My father will buy an according mobo along ram....Thats his budget.Thats it.my job is to choose and collect the cpu and gpu.I did not wnat to bore you with all this ...tahts why i straightway asked for a cheap cpu.And I am using the word tight budget and not my exact amount because I am from India. There's quite price difference between UK/USA or india. I believe majority of this forum are from that side.Anyway, recently found that Flipkart.com is giving away AMD 3.6 GHz AM3+ FX4100 Processor at a low price of only Rs 6100. since it is AM3+ and seems nice (from the costumer review) I think I will go with it. Any better options ?

 

[iyzik]

HellO , thanks for the info but i do not get why you are giving me an entire system budget. I only want the cpu and the GPU.My father will buy an according mobo along ram....Thats his budget.Thats it.my job is to choose and collect the cpu and gpu.I did not wnat to bore you with all this ...tahts why i straightway asked for a cheap cpu.And I am using the word tight budget and not my exact amount because I am from India. There's quite price difference between UK/USA or india. I believe majority of this forum are from that side.Anyway, recently found that Flipkart.com is giving away AMD 3.6 GHz AM3+ FX4100 Processor at a low price of only Rs 6100. since it is AM3+ and seems nice (from the costumer review) I think I will go with it. Any better options ?

Bad idea, the FX CPUs are **** for gaming. I (we) can't stress it enough; don't get an AMD CPU, get an Intel. Go for either a Pentium or an i3.
And definitely don't get that 6450 you have listed, it literally won't play anything. Get a 7770 or 6850 or something along those lines.

 

[Sunius]

Intel i3. Go with that, it's much more powerful than FX alternative, and should cost similarly.

http://www.flipkart.com/intel-i3-3220/p/itmdeus8hzz5mnfh?pid=PSRDEUR2HEEGFCWR

 

[technoholic]

HellO , thanks for the info but i do not get why you are giving me an entire system budget. I only want the cpu and the GPU.My father will buy an according mobo along ram....Thats his budget.Thats it.my job is to choose and collect the cpu and gpu.I did not wnat to bore you with all this ...tahts why i straightway asked for a cheap cpu.And I am using the word tight budget and not my exact amount because I am from India. There's quite price difference between UK/USA or india. I believe majority of this forum are from that side.Anyway, recently found that Flipkart.com is giving away AMD 3.6 GHz AM3+ FX4100 Processor at a low price of only Rs 6100. since it is AM3+ and seems nice (from the costumer review) I think I will go with it. Any better options ?

My builds don't include HDD, PSU, OS, Monitor already and you can omit DVD Writer and the case from those builds. I tried to choose the cheapest parts for optimum performance. I'd also suggest at least an i3 or FX 6300 for gaming but i had to limit the budget. A phenom II x4 955 costs 82$ and a Pentium G860 costs 68$. Now these prices are for USA residents only. So the prices will be different in your place. An FX 4100 has a 110$ price at newegg and this one will game similarly to the phenom II and that pentium (if not worse). Heck, that pentium will game even better (or on par) than a FX 4300. Perhaps if you give a budget limit we can try to fit something in that. Though, the prices will differ a lot

 

[sam_p_lay]

+1 to Iyzik and Sunius re Intel CPUs. The FX4 processors are some of the worst gaming CPUs AMD has been responsible for in a long time. If you're determined to use AMD, at least grab an FX6300 as technoholic suggests. You don't want to end up regretting this purchase.

 

[SPEED94]

Thanks for the consistent help you all provided and that chart for fps was great. I have chose for an Intel i3 2100 (hope it works). But I am really not convinced with Msi Radeon 7770 HD. I t does get that much positive reply from the users.I want to play all the games available in the market in 1360*769 (max) @ medium details
the following only -

COD (series upto B02)
Prototype (series)
Assasins Creed (series)
Farcry series (hoping the third one works)
Battlefield 3
Crysis (Series)

Can anyone post a image/link showing fps comparison in different games for different GPU.That would be of great help. Thanks in advance.

 

[iyzik]

Thanks for the consistent help you all provided and that chart for fps was great. I have chose for an Intel i3 2100 (hope it works). But I am really not convinced with Msi Radeon 7770 HD. I t does get that much positive reply from the users.I want to play all the games available in the market in 1360*769 (max) @ medium details
the following only -

COD (series upto B02)
Prototype (series)
Assasins Creed (series)
Farcry series (hoping the third one works)
Battlefield 3
Crysis (Series)

Can anyone post a image/link showing fps comparison in different games for different GPU.That would be of great help. Thanks in advance.

Well theres no way in hell a 6450 will play any games at medium settings lol. The 7770 will probably play most at medium, some med/high, some med/low.
Also ignore the Newegg reviews for the most part, they are mostly people who had problems with the card or just dont know what they are doing so its almost always biased.

But anyway u might find these helpful;
http://www.anandtech.com/bench/GPU12/458
http://www.techspot.com/review/603-best-graphics-cards/
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/radeon-hd-7770-7750-benchmark,3135.html

 

[Sunius]

HD 7770 will play games at high settings on that resolution. HD 6450 will not play some games at all.

http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Sapphire/HD_6450_Passive/11.html

 

[technoholic]

@ OP don't underestimate the HD 7770 and please stay away from that HD 6450 oO Also there are the previous generation cards such as HD 6870 and GTX 560 (Ti) if you can / are willing to shed some more money on the graphics front. You can even think of getting a GTX 650 Ti. These cards will be giving you enough power to even max out some games at that resolution.

At the same time i want to remind you the importance of CPU at lower resolutions. CPU is as much important as your GPU at lower resolutions (maybe more important) due to the fact that many games require almost the same amount of CPU computing at any given resolution (other than some variables relevant to game's engine). That is why at very high resolutions (and detail levels) many CPUs give similar results. At higher res. the load shifts onto the GPU.